November 15, 2007
Preaching to Express, not Impress
Leadership's original sage on being an excellent communicator.
Fred Smith was featured in the very first issue of Leadership published in 1980. Since then the businessman, Bible teacher, and sage as written more than 37 articles, and his insights have guided thousands of pastors. Fred’s definition of leadership was succinct: “A leader is not a person who can do the work better than his followers; he is the person who can get this followers to do the work better than he can.” Fred Smith died in August, days before his 92nd birthday.
Fred’s wisdom has been compiled into a recently released book, Breakfast with Fred (Regal, 2007). The book also contains thoughts from many other Christian leaders impacted by Fred. Below is an excerpt.
Fred’s Observation
Good communication is more than presence, delivery or even content. A truly great communicator understands three important principles.
First, he or she understands that it is crucial to have the spirit of communication. The speaker should be motivated to express, not impress. My friend Dr. Jim Cain accepted an invitation to speak in front of 2,000 key executives about stress. He was preceded at the podium by a renowned cardiologist and a famous psychiatrist who got caught in the competition of impressing each other. When Dr. Cain spoke, he used a simple analogy to describe what the audience needed to know. This distinguished Mayo Clinic physician understood the spirit of communication. He expressed, not impressed.
Second, great communicators understand that they should avoid registering shock. When a person shows shock, it automatically says to the other individual that their value systems are obviously in conflict, and unpolluted communication immediately becomes impossible. Clearly, teenagers use the shock factor as a way to avoid communication entirely. Wise parents listen while keeping physical and mental control—”never let them see you sweat.”
Third, good communicators display interest, not curiosity. Interest through listening and skillful questioning opens understanding. Each of us wants to feel that another is sincerely interested, but none of us wants to be the target of curiosity. I see the difference this way: Interest gives you information for the other person’s benefit; curiosity is helpful simply for you. Let me give you an example. I was on the phone with a young woman who was obviously crying. A curious question would have been, “Why are you crying?” An interested question begins with asking permission, “Do you want to tell me why you are crying?” Interest, not curiosity, opens a door.
A true communicator has a message and a mandate. An adept communicator knows that energy, passion, skillfulness and experience follow the gift that is used wisely and well.
Reflection: Mac Brunson
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
Without sounding gratuitous, this is the genius of Fred Smith. There are three principles here that are critical to every good communicator, but only one of those deals with speaking. The other two principles deal with our listening and how we listen. Effective communication is only one- third what we say and two-thirds how we have connected with those to whom we are speaking. How many times can you remember your mother saying, “Listen twice as much as you speak”?
When you listen, you make a connection. How you listen, as Fred has suggested, impacts your communication. It is critical to listen to those to whom you are going to communicate. How you listen to them either builds a bridge or erects a wall.
As a pastor, whenever I preach, I know that my listeners are people who are one decision away from moral, financial, marital or personal ruin. The others are considering options that will follow them the rest of their lives. The question is not Are they listening? but Have learned the right to be heard in order to effectively communicate God’s Word? Only then has communication taken place.
Fred also speaks of the spirit of communication. My wife always tells me, “Speak to the heart and not the head.” What she is saying is what Fred has stated—don’t try to impress others, but speak to their needs. Someone once said, “It is impossible to impress them with Jesus and yourself at the same time.”
Three Questions to Think About
1. When am I guilty of impressing, not expressing?
2. What steps can I take to develop my message and mandate?
3. How do I move toward interest and away from curiosity?
Breakfast with Fred by Fred Smith, Sr. pp. 160-62.
© Fred Smith, Sr. Published by Regal Books, Ventura CA, 93003.
Used by permission.
Posted by UrL on November 15, 2007
Comments
Far too many preachers jump the tracks on Fred's point #1 ... they preach to "impress" rather than to "express."
I find that, most often, I can get my point across or communicate a biblical truth much more clearly by simply telling a story (expressing & informing - connecting with the heart) than I can by parsing a Greek verb (trying to "impress" by saying, "Look how educated I am.") Maybe that's why Jesus taught with parables rather than Hebrew and Aramaic lessons ...
We "professionals" would do well to pay attention and imitate the Master.
http://sbcimpact.net
Posted by: Geoff Baggett at November 16, 2007
I find it more helpful to be educated on the origional Hebrew or Greek words. Looking at the Bible is much better than some stories. A sermon that is just story after story is worthless esp if the ones you are telling have been researched on snopes.com!
Posted by: Ryan at November 17, 2007
Geoff, your point about how you communicate more effectively raises a point for me.
How do we know when we communicate effectively? We only know when we find out what the other person experienced.
I can express something as well as I know how - with art and grace - but if the person on the other end does not receive it, then I have communicated nothing.
Or, if there are lots of people in the pews, I have probably communicated lots of different things all at once.
Posted by: John Meunier at November 19, 2007
I used to think that an audience could tell the difference between a self-congratulating blowhard, and a passionate scholar who believes in his work/his thoughts etc. Boy, was I ever wrong.
The main reason we're seeing more of the self-congratulating blowhards in the Church here in the US is because the laity wants to hear how great they are for being followers of Jesus, and how wonderful it will be for them in the here and now.
In exchange for the feel good sensation from having an hours worth of sunshine blown in one's earhole, the people fawn over the speaker and his having a "Blessed ministry" and "spiritually gifted" and "how blessed I am to hear him!"
Anyway, my thoughts are that the audience plays a role in the content and the how a message/talk/lecture is delivered.
Posted by: sheerahkahn at November 19, 2007
The essence of effective communication is more than connecting, compassion, or compelling rhetoric. I can learn how to act with compassion. I can use the words that will make people feel like we "connected." I can tell stories that let people into my life in such a way that I appear to be transparent. I can do all of that and still miss the heart of what I am convinced God wants--the truth flowing through an authentic life--someone that is "conforming to fact or reality; actually and precisely what is claimed." My greatest battle and deepest fear when I stand in front of an audience is that I will not be authentic.
Posted by: Joe Jordan at November 20, 2007
my two cents is that putting up this wall that derides knowledge as mere "impressing" and implies that we can't be academic in sermons AND effectively communicate to the heart is a very shaky foundation to stand on indeed. to this day, the best and most effective sermons i've ever heard were from pastor frank humphrey of people's church in montreal, a phD and master of ancient languages, archaeology, theology, etc. he preached in a church across the street from a prominent university full of international students and academia. his sermons were full of knowledge AND the conviction and joy of the Lord. he was not arrogant in his knowledge, and never made the mistake of preaching in a way that the non-academics in the congregation would not understand. i've yet to meet a Christian man who's put his learning to better use than frank.
a good read: Habits of the Mind: The Christian Life as an Intellectual Calling, by James W. Sire.
Posted by: Dana at November 21, 2007
What I have noticed over the years is that memorable sermons have come from humble, 'honest to God' Pastors. There is no place for pride in churches.
"Preaching to Express, not Impress" is a very good way to put it!
Please visit us here for over 350 free Sermons and Thoughts from Baptist Pastors (hopefully humble!) in Northern Ireland
http://www.grovebaptist.co.uk/sermons_index.htm
Posted by: Barry at December 7, 2007