The Sound of Scripture

Monday, January 28, 2013

available...

a guide for reading the Bible aloud

The Sound of Scripture is designed as a manual for lay readers who want to become more confident and effective in communicating the meaning of God's Word clearly to listeners. Reading the Bible aloud involves a great many considerations by the reader: knowledge and understanding, faith, respect, “spirit and heart,” vocal skill, and physical control.

Though reading individual words on the printed page might seem an easy task, communicating the profound meaning of the words clearly can be an exciting challenge. Bible reading calls for special understanding.

Lay readers and lectors are here given a simple guide to follow when preparing their readings so they feel comfortable reading with variety, expressiveness, and, most of all, with clear understanding.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

workshops for parish lay readers...

You have a heart for oral Bible reading and sharing God's Word aloud...now develop even stronger skill in interpreting and expressing its full meaning.

While reading aloud seems like an easy task, we know the rich meaning of Scripture can be lost in a monotone, rapid or inarticulate voice.

Dr. Barbara Laughlin Adler's book, The Sound of Scripture, provides a resource manual for lay readers, lectors and worship leaders; with it, you can learn to more fully communicate God's messages to listeners. To schedule a workshop at your parish, contact Barbara at barbja@comcast.net

To purchase The Sound of Scripture, visit Amazon.com

comments on The Sound of Scripture: Reading the Bible Aloud

"This volume comes from an experienced and respected lay professional who is familiar with the principles of public speaking but who also clearly understands the purpose of Christian worship. Dr. Adler offers a sensitive and fresh approach which should certainly be extremely helpful for pastors, vicars, lay readers, Sunday School teachers, or any who are called upon to read the Bible in public."

(Rev. Dr. Howard W. Kramer, President Emeritus, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, Ontario)

"Dr. Adler provided excellent instruction for our lectors. She grounded them in reverence for the Sacred Text and for the holy task of the public reading of Scripture. Her balanced approach aimed us squarely at communicating the Word to draw the hearers’ attention to its meaning. She provided simple practical tips which will have a significant impact on the effectiveness of our lectors’ efforts.”

(Pastor Charles R. Schulz, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor)

"after 2l years on the Seminary faculty and many more years of listening to seminary field workers and young pastors reading the Scriptures and portions of the liturgy in worship services, I've often wished we could do a better job of helping pastors as well as lay readers read more effectively."

(Rev. Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, President Emeritus, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod)

“I greatly appreciate the Scriptural premise and examples laid out in each section. Some of the references and practical advice take me back to Dr. Adler’s classroom, as with the encouragement to "get out of the way" of the text... The summaries provide a wonderful quick reference...and practical exercises.”

(Rev. Christopher Fairbairn, Associate Pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Northville, Michigan)