June 16, 2026 — Sanata Dharma University (USD) Professor successfully organized a specialized public speaking workshop titled "Prodiakon Training: Becoming a Living Witness of the Word" for lay ministers at the Maria Assumpta Gamping Parish. The program aimed to transform the way lay ministers (Prodiakon dan Katekis) deliver reflections, moving from a mere technical duty to a sacred service and a spiritual response to God's calling.

The initiative was prompted by survey findings involving 54 lay ministers, which revealed a significant gap between spiritual commitment and technical proficiency. While 100% of participants viewed their role as a spiritual "calling out" (vocation), many struggled with stage fright—described as feeling "gobyos" (nervously sweating)—and a heavy dependency on written scripts.

A Shift from Monologue to Dialogue A central theme of the workshop was the transformation of the communication paradigm. Participants were encouraged to move away from rigid, instructive monologues toward an inclusive, dialogic "I-Thou" relationship. This approach emphasizes speaking "with" the congregation as fellow spiritual pilgrims rather than merely speaking "at" them.

Architecting the Message The training introduced participants to classical rhetoric and modern persuasive structures. Drawing from Cicero and Aristotle, the ministers learned to balance Docere (teaching), Delectare (pleasing), and Movere (moving the heart) while utilizing the three pillars of persuasion: Ethos (integrity), Pathos (emotional connection), and Logos (logical biblical arguments).

To ensure their messages lead to real-world impact, participants practiced Monroe’s Motivated Sequence (MMS) (mid-1930s). This five-step procedure (Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, and Action) provides a framework for inviting the congregation to take concrete social actions within the parish.

Mastering Delivery and Memory To overcome the fear of "blanking out" during a presentation, the workshop provided practical tools such as:

• The "Mind Palace" Technique: A five-step memory method where ministers mentally store key points in familiar locations within the church to trigger spontaneous recall.
• Dynamic Vocal Techniques (4P): Mastering Pace, Pitch, Power, and the strategic use of Pause to allow the Word of God to resonate deeply within the listeners' hearts.
• Lectio Divina: Integrating deep spiritual preparation to ensure the speaker is "on fire" with the Word before stepping onto the altar.

Praxis: From Theory to the Altar The workshop concluded with a "Praxis" session where participants were challenged to deliver a one-minute "Attention Getter" without reading any text. They utilized various techniques, such as dramatic storytelling, reflective rhetorical questions, or shocking factual data to instantly engage the congregation's focus.

Similar to other academic initiatives at Sanata Dharma University, this program reflects the institution's commitment to connecting educational research with contemporary practice. By equipping lay ministers with these skills, the university hopes to foster a more vibrant and interactive liturgical experience that maintains the core human and spiritual values of the Church.

Source Person: Professor Concilianus Laos Mbato, M.A., Ed.D.