There may be times when an interview on a Sunday morning is appropriate. Instead of one person sharing a traditional sermon, two or more people take the stage with mics in hand to tell stories or share information.

Who exactly gets the interview treatment on a Sunday morning? Maybe it’s a member giving their personal testimony. Or maybe you want to have a visiting minister or missionary share with your church. Perhaps they’re great at ministry but don’t have the skill set to preach on their own. Interviews can also be a great way to introduce distinguished guests, like a local businessperson or a sports personality who has a great story to share.

But an interview doesn’t mean that you take the week off. As pastor, you can use this interview as an opportunity to preach in a very unique way. Here are five tips to make your next interview a great experience.

1. Plan it Out
Whether the person you’re interviewing is a public speaking novice or adapt at talking, it’s always best to meet in advance and plan it out. Planning out the interview will ensure that it goes smoothly and accomplishes the intended goals. It can also help alleviate any anxiety of the guest.

Start by deciding what you want to accomplish from this interview or testimony. Where do you want the talk to take you? If both of you are on the same page, then it’s easier to get there.

Give your interviewee the questions beforehand. In some cases it may be better to have them give their own suggestions. Make sure there are no surprises, that each question has a good answer and that each answer leads to the next question or point.

While you’re meeting with them, go ahead and practice. Either on stage or in your office, take time to ask the questions and hear the response. With practice, you may uncover new questions that work better or avoid answers that lead down the wrong path.

2. Write it Down
Put pen to paper. Have the questions written down and encourage your interviewee to write out their responses in full sentences, especially if they’re not an accomplished speaker. Having fully written statements beforehand can help them get their thoughts together and avoid stage fright.

Leading questions keep your interview on track, keep you in the storytelling mode, and keep the audience engaged with the message.

Choose a few key phrases that you want them to say. Some of these may be of your own choosing, but often these will come up when you meet together. Have the guest write those phrases down to ensure they get mentioned during the interview.

On the day of the interview, it’s perfectly acceptable for the guest to have the answers written down to refer to from the stage. Having clear thoughts that are followed by concrete statements is more important than speaking without notes. In this instance, clarity is preferred over presentation.

3. Tell a Story
The best way to convey a message in an interview or testimony is through story. There is power in storytelling. It conveys emotion and passion. It takes audience members on a journey, keeping them interested and leading them to an intended end. Think through the interview with story beats in mind.

So, how do you tell a story through an interview? Ask leading questions. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no, but don’t ask open-ended questions either. Leading questions keep your interview on track, keep you in the storytelling mode, and keep the audience engaged with the message.

4. Remember the Big Idea
There are plenty of differences between preaching and interviewing someone on a Sunday morning. This shouldn’t be one of them. Stick to your big idea throughout the message, even if it’s an interview or testimony.

After meeting with the interviewee, the big idea should become obvious. Write it down and talk it out with them. Make sure they know going in the one thing you want to get across that morning. Then execute it in your interview.

It helps to keep repeating it throughout your interview. For instance, if your big idea is the sovereignty of God maybe you could phrase a follow up question this way: “And after that happened, how did you realize that God was still there no matter what?”

Another way to keep to a big idea is to tie it to a text. Although you may not be doing traditional exegetical study of a Scripture, you can still engage your audience from the Bible. Maybe the text is a favorite Scripture of your interviewee or some verse that encouraged them as their testimony unfolded. By tying it to a text, the big idea is that much more pronounced.

5. Let Them be the Star
Finally, don’t hog the spotlight. The purpose of this interview or testimony is to let others hear a new or different perspective about God and Scripture. Keep that in mind as you script out your questions.

Let the guest be the star of their story if they are giving a testimony. Let them make the connections that lead to the big idea. Let them hit the home run when it comes to delivering truth. Let them have the last word.

Preaching is a great profession, but it’s not always about what you bring to the table. Often it’s better to let someone else share the stage. Next time you plan out your sermon schedule, try to mix in one or two interviews or testimonies.