Quotes on Communication by John Maxwell

Communication

1. Great communication depends on two simple skills—context, which attunes a leader to the same frequency as his or her audience, and delivery, which allows a leader to phrase messages in a language the audience can understand.

2. Earn the right to be heard by listening to others. Seek to understand a situation before making judgments about it.

3. Take the emotional temperature of those listening to you. Facial expressions, voice inflection and posture give clues to a person’s mood and attitude.

4. Persuasive communication involves enthusiasm, animation, audience participation, authenticity and spontaneity.

Next Steps...

I'm a next step thinker. If you are a pastor, consider challenging your congregation to take their "next step". We all have of one! None have arrived at glory yet :)

For some folks, it may be seeking forgiveness from a family member. For others, it could be to start reading their Bible. Regardless of what it is, as leaders it is our duty to encourage them to take that step.

Possible Steps (in no way meant to be a complete listing - just things that come to mind)
1) Start praying - nothing fancy - just sharing their heart with Jesus
2) Start reading the Bible - 1-2 verses a day to start.
3) Join a small group (if your church has them) or Sunday school class.
4) Make a commitment to the local church
a) attending Sunday services regularly
b) start tithing
c) getting involved in a ministry
If ALL people are not always taking some type of "Next Step" in their faith life, it is highly unlikely that they will continue to be a sold out, kingdom building, church growing, follower of Christ!

Jeff Vanderstelt - The Meaning of Missional

Jeff Vanderstelt // The Meaning of Missional from Newfrontiers USA on Vimeo.

Breaking Growth Barriers

Here is a excerpt from Rick Warrens blog on breaking church growth barriers.
You must change the primary role of the pastor from minister to leader.
What’s the difference? In leadership, you take the initiative; in ministry, you respond to the needs of others. When someone calls and you pick up the phone, that’s ministry. When you pick up the phone and call someone, that’s leadership. Typically, you learn ministry skills in seminary, but you learn leadership skills in seminars. Pastoring is a balance. Here are five skills you must learn if your church is going to grow:

• Learn to communicate your vision.
• Learn the ability to motivate through messages.
• Learn how to equip for ministry. If you don’t learn how to coach, you will not be able to equip. And, if you do not equip, you will burn out in ministry.
• Learn how to raise money. Those who write the agenda must also be able to underwrite it.
• Learn the skill of managing your time and energy.

For more info - go to Rick Warrens article - Pastors.com

Getting rid of distractions....

Our thoughts are often not our own - they are realy derived from someone else. Someone else thought them first ...spoke it and we caught wind of it.... ingested it and made them our own. Other people's voices often fill our minds. Think about all the influences around us that have access to your head:

• The people in your home
• Your co-workers
• Your extended family
• The TV
• Your friends
• The internet
• Video games
  

We need to consider the value of our own thoughts. Why let anyone tell you what to think? Why listen to people who don't even know you and don't understand your value system?

Consider the possibility that perhaps there are certain voices that need to be edited out. Some voices are persistently negative or just not helpful. Why not establish boundaries?

Could this be why we can hear so much clearly when we are on the mission field? What if we quited the voices and influences around us and simply asked God - What would You have me do?