According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, “74%
of people suffer from speech anxiety.”
68% of all statistics are made up on the spot. If that
doesn’t muddle the matter enough, even accurate statistics can be misleading. Suppose
that 74% of people really do suffer from speech anxiety. Well, what exactly
does that mean? What qualifies as “speech anxiety?” Does sincerely hoping that everything
goes well count as speech anxiety or must one break a sweat? This is what
happens when you hand an amateur philologist a statistic. Give me are hard,
scientific statistic and I’ll ask you to define your terms, please.
At any rate, it is safe to say that a lot of people get
nervous about speaking in front of large groups of people. Personally, my “speech
anxiety” most often manifests itself as a slightly queasy stomach and,
sometimes, unsteady hands. To me, the size of the group matters less than the
setting in which the group is. I can calmly facilitate activities for 100+
people who are moving around. On the other hand, standing up in front of that
same 100+ people who are all sitting down and looking to you as “a speaker,”
rather than “a facilitator”—different. And yet, despite the nerves, I am
grateful for the opportunities I have had to address groups.
A couple weeks ago, I had the privilege to return to my
home church in Beaver Falls and speak about my plans to go to Uganda at their
evening service. A quick clarification: I am a member of College Hill Reformed
Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls. After graduating from college, I started
work at Ligonier Camp and Conference Center in Ligonier, about 2 hours south of
Beaver Falls. Since moving to Ligonier, I attend Pioneer Presbyterian Church
(PCA). At this point, it feels like I have two home churches. In fact, when I
go to Beaver Falls, I say I am going home, but when it is time to return to
Ligonier, I use the same phrase. Technically speaking, though, College Hill is
my home church.
It was a delight to be back in the church in which I have
worshiped with my family for roughly nine years. I miss singing the Psalms.
Pastor Titus preached on the story of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. He
made the point that Abraham exhibited a lack of faith by wanted to keep Ishmael
around as a “back-up heir,” (my paraphrase) in case Isaac, the son of the
Promise, didn't come through. With God, we can have no back-up plans. Either
Jesus is our Savior and He alone, or nothing will save us, no matter how hard
or how many things we try. I wanted to make the connection to my plans for
Uganda: that I shouldn't have a back-up plan. Not a sound application, though. The
promise of salvation falls into the category of God’s revealed will; what I
will be doing next year (or 10 years from now for that matter) falls into the
category of God’s hidden will, which I do not presume to know. As such, “back-up
plans” can indicate prudence rather than disbelief. But I digress.
At the evening service, I spoke to those assembled about
going to Uganda. I explained how I have heard about life and work on the mission
from my college roommate and from friends and family members who have been
there on short term mission trips. I briefly described the different ministries
of the mission in Karamoja. I reported what I will be doing there. And I
suggested ways for the congregation to join me: pray, support me financially
(currently, I still need just under $10,000), and follow my blog. College
student Nathan P., who unwittingly sat near my computer, graciously advanced
the slides of my PowerPoint for me.
So, public speaking. Nerve-wracking? Yes, but on this
particular occasion, not too bad. Just some mild stomach flip-flopping. (I just
remembered, sometimes, when I am nervous, one or both of my knee-caps shake/slide
around. It’s weird. Anyway…) I don’t know exactly why certain settings produce
more apprehension than others. I was far more nervous when I gave the gospel
talk at camp this past summer, and that was a much less formal setting--in a pavilion to a couple hundred
kids who were all sitting on the ground. However, I do not need to analyze what
causes speech anxiety. I am grateful for the opportunity to share with my home
church what I will be doing this coming year. I am grateful knowing that my
church family is praying for me and for the work in Karamoja. As I reflect on
my two “home” churches and places that I call home, I wonder if the village of
Nakaale, in Uganda, will soon become another of my homes and the family of
believers there another home church.