TN16 Interviews in church services

First published on this website in April 2004 and last updated in April 2024

Synopsis

A public interview in a church service or other forum is a powerful means of communication. But churches rarely do them well. Here is advice for whoever is doing the interviewing.

1. Sort out the practical details
   radio mics,
   positions on the dais,
   seating, etc.
2. Relax those taking part
   both parties need to behave naturally so put the interviewee at ease.
3. Never script the interview in advance
   scary but essential,
   have the main questions worked out in advance,
   but it needs to be a natural conversation.
4. Keep each contribution short
   it's a conversation,
   one long answer ruins the dynamic.
5. Speak to each other - and not to the audience
   so always face each other and speak to each other,
   then others can eavesdrop.

These notes have been updated in April 2024 with minor amendments to the layout.