If you talk to others…whether on radio, television, in the pulpit, or even with family and friends…what do you expect to happen? As a parent, if you give instructions to your kids, you want them to spring into action and follow your direction…and do it right away (okay…I may be dreaming there). If you manage people and ministries, you may also want them to quickly follow what you direct.

But what if you are on the radio or television? Even speaking to groups or congregations? What are you expecting your audience to do?

Fred Smith, the mentor to many ministry leaders, has some good instruction and insight for all of us in those categories.

“One way we can improve our speaking skills is by remembering our goal is not simply to have people sit quietly while we talk, but to have their minds actively engaged by the subject matter.”

As you speak, get in your mind the visual of what it would be like if your listeners really grasped what you were saying. Would they be driven to action? Would they be moved to tears? Or would they sit there with little or no reaction?

Fred Smith says his goal was always for the listeners to do more than listen passively.

“I don’t want the audience to be observers. I want them to participate because the whole object of speaking is to influence attitudes and behavior.”

Radio consultant Valerie Geller has a mantra she preaches to on-air radio people all over the world.

  1. Tell the truth.
  2. Make it matter.
  3. Never be boring.

Point number two speaks right to the question I began with. If what you are saying matters to the listeners, they will be more engaged with what you are saying and more likely to respond when you provide a “call to action.” And here is a tip: If it doesn’t matter to you, it probably won’t mean much to the listener.

Let me add something from my heart. We are living in very critical days. I personally believe the time is short. And there are many who need to hear the Good News that there is light in the dark world we live in. If you have the privilege to speak to your culture, your community, be careful about the message you are sending. We need to have a sense of urgency about our overall message. If you know there are people lost without Christ in your audience, will they hear about His love for them through you? The prophets of old learned about the importance of delivering God’s message to their audience. The Lord’s direction for Jeremiah showed how important it was for God’s prophet to speak the right words:

Get up and prepare for action.

Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say.

Do not be afraid of them,

or I will make you look foolish in front of them.

Jeremiah 1:17 NLT

Think of your audience. Think of what God would have them do. And then recognize the amazing privilege of sharing the hope of Christ with those who need Him now.

God’s best…