Speaking for Maximum Results

by Joe Parker, Independent Consultant

Reporting home effectively is not just something you should try to do, but something that you should view as a necessity. Whether you're given five minutes or an hour, you must strive to make your presentation informative and memorable. You've probably had to sit through plenty of boring missions presentations. Make up your mind to be different. It matters what you say and how you say it, so work hard at making your presentation the best it can be.

• A weekday edition of the New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime in 17th century England!
• More new information has been produced in the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000 years!
• Information doubles every 18 to 20 months (or less)!

The world is experiencing "information overload." We're saturated with information and it's difficult to hear important messages. As a public speaker you must help people understand that what you are saying is important and worth remembering. Make an effort to do more than just talk at people. Bring props, show pictures, do a puppet show, teach a song you learned overseas. Get your audience involved. Engage as much of their brains and as many of their senses as possible. Do whatever it takes to avoid boring people with your presentation. And whatever you do, be enthusiastic and energetic about what you have to report. Do not apologize for the content of your presentation or your degree of preparedness. If you stand up and look bored or apologetic then your audience will soon lose interest.

Remember: Your audience takes their cues from you. If you are enthusiastic and excited about your ministry and communicate it in a clear way, then chances are they will be enthusiastic and excited as well.

You will have more opportunities to present your ministry than you might think. These opportunities will vary in length of time ranging from only a few seconds with one person to an hour-long Sunday evening service. It doesn’t take much to be ready for whatever comes your way. One of the most common questions a short-termer is asked upon returning home is “How was your trip?” Some people ask this question mostly as a formality or greeting, while others will really want to know. Whatever the motivation, it is a good idea to have answers prepared for every interest level.

The Sound-Bite

This response is for the person whose interest level is merely a polite greeting. About 15 seconds is good. Think of two complete sentences that encapsulate your experience. You might want to focus on how you saw God work in people’s lives or on something you learned.

Interested Conversation

Imagine someone stops you in the foyer between Sunday school and church. The conversation will probably last about five minutes. Have a favorite story or topic ready. Maybe you will also want to be ready to share the most important thing God taught you during your short-term experience.

Public Presentation

These opportunities may come at work, school, or church. Use the two basic methods in this chapter for creating your report. Pray and ask God to anoint your preparation and presentation. 

What Not To Do:

Sometimes testimonies do as much harm as good. Those who are unprepared or who do not take the privilege seriously appear awkward and afraid. Those sitting in the audience end up feeling sorry for the speaker and wishing it could be over (as much for the speaker’s sake as for their own!) So …

• Don’t wing it.
• Don’t ramble.
• Don’t go to the platform without knowing how to start and finish your presentation.
• Don’t forget to say thank you.
• Don’t forget to recognize God’s part in the mission.
•  Don’t end up telling more about sightseeing than you do about the impact on people.

“Go unprepared and you never go alone.  Fear is your constant companion.”
-- Dale Carnegie

Research shows that about 10% of an audience responds positively to a talk no matter how poorly it’s presented, and 10% don’t respond regardless of how well it’s presented. It’s best to minister as effectively as we can to the 80% who can go either way.

Goals When Speaking

• How you go about telling your stories is important. Here are some of the goals you should have when preparing to give your report:
• Give God recognition and praise for all he has done.
• Tell how someone’s life was impacted and/or how your life was impacted.
• Be a blessing and encouragement to those listening.
• Let your story be a teacher – without you being a preacher.