Mary Baker Eddy had high standards for reading in churches. In this podcast Don Feldheim explains, “A reader needs to be familiar, I believe, with the barriers to effective reading as well as the standards, and there are many, many standards of exceptional reading…”
In today’s reading culture, Don explains the biggest barrier is the difference between “personal sense and our Soul-sourced individuality…”
Dear Don,
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am that you are addressing this topic! I am a speech and theatre major from Northwestern Univeristy from many years back, and I have taught these subjects at both the high school and college level. (However, I left teaching in 1994 to become a residential realtor.)
This problem of poor reading in our churches is critical. Yet most boards of directors just seem to go along with it and don’t feel they have any right to talk to the readers about coaching and how to improve. Sometimes I almost want to jump up during church and shout at them, “do you really believe what you’re reading?”
I have also taught readers over the years. In most cases, they don’t want to be taught for very long (“am I done yet?”), and in other cases they are resistant to change of any kind. This belief about “personal sense” is pervasive.
I have all but given up….so I’m glad to hear that you are having this workshop. If there is anything I can do to help, I’d be happy to!
Dear Beth,
Thank you so much for your comments. We’ll forward them to Don.
Beth, DON’T GIVE UP!!!
You’ll be happy to know that I’m seeing more and more very hopeful signs! More and more branch churches and their boards are recognizing the importance of good reading as it relates to the prosperity of Christian Science in their own communities. Many are encouraging Readers to take coaching; many are offering to pay for coaching; some are even adjusting their by-laws to require all Readers to take some kind of coaching (this doesn’t offend anyone because it is impersonal!).
I also believe The Mother Church’s “Church Alive” initiative has contributed to this renewed interest in reading. Our reading has to come alive in order to touch listeners’ hearts and minds.
Thanks, too, for your good work along these lines. It has to have helped Readers and blessed listeners! In a sense, when we coach Readers, we’re planting seeds–seeds that, in good time, grow and grow. I’m sure your coaching has blessed you, too. I know it does me.
With all good wishes,
Don
Don mentioned discussing this issue in a seminar. When will that be and where? Thank you.
Hi Rhonda. Don will be presenting his Expressive Reading seminar at the BA this Saturday, March 16 from 8:30 Am to 4:30 PM.
Click here for more details
One more thing….in our day and age, we are simply not used to being read to for 30 minutes at a time. This is another reason why reading has to be conversational, dynamic, and heartfelt.
Thanks for your response….I’ll continue to hang in there.
“Conversational, dynamic, and heartfelt.”
What a good description of the Soul-sourced reading that Don teaches, Beth. Though I haven’t attended his seminar, been coached by him, or read his workbook, I can tell by listening to him read The Christian Science Bible Lesson for The Mother Church that his instruction brings out those three qualities — and many more — in every receptive-to-learning reader.
I am so looking forward to this seminar. As a Christian Science nurse (currently in the BA’s Christian Science Nursing Arts program) reading aloud is one vital part of giving care to patients. I’m looking forward to increasing the quality of this expression of God’s care for his children. I’m so grateful that this seminar will be right here on my very doorstep to help me improve in imparting the truth and being a better transparency for the Pastor!
I won’t be able to come to the seminar but will it be available afterwards for purchase?
You can contact Don Feldheim directly to learn more about his services. Here is information from one of his ads:
Private Expressive Reading coaching on the Weekly Bible Lesson Sermon
Private course in the Principles of Expressive Reading
Group workshops sponsored by branches
His workbook, Principles of Expressive Reading, available in hard copy or PDF, email Don for more information.
His email is: defeldheim@verizon.net
Dear Friends,
A great big “THANK YOU!” to everyone who attended the seminar on Saturday.
As I mentioned, I deeply appreciated and respected your attendance because it indicated your love for and dedication to God’s word.
Thanks, too, for your willingness to consider what some might have seen as radical tools and techniques for gaining a deeper scholarly understanding, as well as a higher spiritual, heart-felt understanding of God’s word. And, I appreciated your receptivity to the idea of freely using all of your God-given communication tools—if and when God appoints you to be a Reader!
I also appreciated your laughter at my sorry attempts at humor!! It was so much fun for me—and, I hope, for you.
I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions, comments, or if you’d just like to chat about studying and reading—or if you’d like more information about my individual coaching services. If so, please feel free to give me a call at 617-966-1472 or via e-mail at defeldheim@verizon.net.
With much love and gratitude,
Don Feldheim