The four audiences of a sermon

Whenever someone makes a speech or does a sermon, especially one which is recorded, there are four audiences...

The first is those who are in the mind of the speaker, which the elements of the talk are crafted towards.

Second are those who are physically present when the talk is delivered live.

Third are those who access the talk from a geographic distance, be it through a recording at a later time or electronically live.

Finally, there are those who will be the second generation recipients. These people will hear the content of the talk though the recollection of another.

Each of these audiences need to be kept in mind of the speaker since they influence and are influenced differently.

Obviously the first audience influences the content of the speech. But, it is luck or coincidence if they ever hear the words intended for them.

The second audience is influential because they get the physical traits of the speaker and can, through their reactions, influence the flow of the speaker.

The third audience, while not the primary audience, should remind the speaker that their words travel further than the room they are speaking in and the people they are before. Electronically, their words could live forever.

Finally, the marker of an impactful talk is judged by the fourth audience. Can someone else convey the crux of your talk or display the change you were communicating?

Far too often a speaker, especially if they are giving a sermon in a church, only thinks of the second group. 

If anything, due to Covid, they will now be both increasingly aware of the third audience and better at communication to the electronic ear.