I remember a number of years ago teaching a men's group at our Church. Later that week I met with the Senior Pastor to review my message. He asked a simple question: "Why should these men have listened to you?"
I have been through many public speaking courses for both my undergraduate and graduate work as well as a number of seminars. And some questions like this one must be answered by any speaker. Another might be, "Why should they come back next time?" For a Pastor who speaks to basically the same audience every week, it does him well to ask that question in his preparation. There is a danger in taking your audience for granted.
I love the words of Nancy Duarte, "When an audience gathers, they have given you their time, which is a precious slice of their lives. It's your job to have them feel that the time they spent with you brought value to their lives."
This concept goes beyond, "I have something to say and you should listen." It goes to valuing the people with whom you speak. It goes to your heart for people. Not trying to win them with flattery of words (see 1 Corinthians 1-4) but giving them content that connects with their daily journey. That helps make sense of this world and their faith. To add value to their lives.
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