Communicating for a Change

In a generation when our attention span is shorter than ever, it is even more important for public speakers to be engaging with their audience. Andy Stanley and Lane Jones writes this book to help public speakers become better communications. It is aimed more toward people in ministry but it is not limited to only them. I read through the first half of the book in two days and for someone that struggles to read and comprehend what he is reading speaks volume to the writing style of the authors. The book begins with a creative way of introducing the seven principles discussed in the book by sharing a narrative story of a Pastor who is struggling to keep his audience engaged on Sunday mornings. His rich friend flies he out of the state to visit with who he calls the best communicator that he knows which is a truck driver. The Pastor is quite confused on why his friend would do this to him. The truck driver takes him on a ride a breaks down the seven imperatives to challenging people’s mind in order to change lives which include determining a goal, picking a point, creating a map. internalizing the message, engage your audience, finding your voice, and starting all over.  They also give you a road map that you should take to keep your audience engaged with the Me-We-God-You-We.

“We’ve got to begin caring more for the people in the audience than the person on the platform. (p.92)”

“Our approach to communicating should be shaped by our goal in communicating . (p.93) 

“Acts of obedience allow our faith to intersect with God’s faithfulness. (p.98)”

“We don’t live our lives by points. We live by our emotions. (p. 102)”

“It is the job of the Holy Spirit to take the spoken word and convict, convince, and change the hearer. (p.115)”

“It’s our preparation and presentation that will keep people engaged. (p. 147)

“Authenticity communicates volumes. Authenticity covers a multitude of communication sins. (p. 169)”

This book is revolutionary when it comes to communicating for a change and really shifts your idea of how to prepare for a public speaking engagement. It gives you the tools to keep your audience engaged and to communicate with them ideas that will transform their life forever.  If you are a public speaker in any capacity or have a message to share with people that this book is for you.