Fear of the unknown...
When history looks back on the year 2020, one word may emerge above all others. No, not pandemic or Covid-19. I believe the word will be “unprecedented.” In so many ways, our world has never walked this rough road before. Yes, we have had other pandemics and disasters. But nothing compares to the global reach of the coronavirus impact on health, lifestyles, the economy, and our own personal mindset.
Things we thought we couldn’t live without become much less important in light of today’s crisis. Things we never thought were critical...like masks and hand sanitizer...rocket to the top of our lists. And we even begin to do the irrational...like buy and hoard rolls of toilet paper, as if it had some mystical power to ward off the virus.
Jobs are lost. Lives are put in jeopardy. Heroes in the health and emergency services step up and work tirelessly. And “stars” are made out of the ones who give daily reports and updates on the status of the virus, its impact, deaths, and other pertinent information.
Unprecedented. And unsettling.
How do you lead others when fear of the unknown abounds? My longtime friend Robert McFarland speaks to leaders of ministries and businesses through his Transformational Impact organization. Robert’s years with National Religious Broadcasters and several fundraising and leadership organizations have given him great insight in the area of organizational leadership.
He recently wrote of helping your team combat the fear of the unknown like we are experiencing today. Many are wondering about their own personal safety and that of their family. They are questioning in their mind if they will have a job next week or next month. Lots of questions, few solid answers. Robert McFarland says as a leader,
“Even if you don’t have all the answers right now...you can provide some stability for your team and help them combat fear in this crisis.”
Some take-aways from Robert’s recent blog:
Be the shepherd.
Your leadership is needed now more than ever. With all the uncertainty and fear swirling around them, your team is looking for comfort in the storm. They need you to be the shepherd for the team.
People can be a lot like sheep, especially when they are afraid. They are looking for reassurance. Your people may make decisions that are not normal because fear is taking its toll in their lives. Be patient; be understanding. You don’t have to lower your standards, but you do need to make allowances for people to process the change in their lives.
Communicate fully.
It’s important to communicate fully what you know with your team. Don’t keep them guessing.... The absence of clear information will create rumor mills. Don’t allow rumor mills to take over in your team or your organization. As you communicate with your team, remember why you communicate in the first place: the purpose of communication is not just to transmit information, it is to develop relationships
Keep your focus.
Be real with your team. Explain to your team that you are focused on shepherding them, but that you are also focused on shepherding the organization. Your team needs to be reminded that your first loyalty is to the organization and all its stakeholders.... Remind your team that you are leading the organization now in such a way as to secure the future of your organization. By focusing on the needs of all your stakeholders, you will be more prepared to shepherd your organization through the crisis.
You can access the full blog and other information from Robert McFarland by clicking HERE.
I like Robert’s final thoughts for leaders in these unprecedented days:
"As you provide stability for your organization, be aware that fear will take its toll not only on your team, but it can take its toll on you, too. You have to combat the fear in your own life before you can help your team combat their fear. But remember that courage is merely acting in spite of fear. So be courageous as you provide stability in this crisis, so that your team will have the courage to move forward, too."
Your work, your ministry, and your team are needed now more now than ever before. And the opportunity for presenting the Gospel with today’s powerful media platforms is also unprecedented. Yet the need is as old as time. Jesus saw the need and expressed it this way:
....I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
John 4:35 NLT
Let’s lead our teams into the fields and be part of God’s harvest team. Not with fear...but with deep faith.
Not the smartest person in the room?
I’ve got some good news! For those of us who often feel we aren’t the smartest person in the room, we can still be a person of real and lasting influence. Whether it is our kids, our staff, or our circle of friends we want to influence, most of us would like to be able to have a positive effect on these people and influence them for God and for good.
Dr. Richard Blackaby recently wrote on being a person of influence, sharing some important points and some examples from the life of his father and my spiritual mentor, Dr. Henry Blackaby. “My father, Henry, was a shy, introverted Canadian. But God used him to exert enormous influence on others.”
Richard points out that we are inundated with those who want to influence us on a daily basis.
“Political candidates constantly vie for people’s attention. Social media has provided a forum in which anyone can pontificate about their views, regardless of how misguided they might be. People clamor for attention and, at times, go to great lengths to obtain it. People often make outrageous or eye-catching statements on social media for no other apparent reason than to capture people’s attention for a few brief moments.”
People often sought out the godly wisdom Dr. Henry Blackaby shared, and with that wisdom came great influence. I was one among many who asked for guidance from this man who, though shy and certainly with his flaws, spoke wisdom into the hearts of kings, presidents, and top CEOs. A man of influence.
What does it take to have such impact? Richard Blackaby lists these items as key for a person desiring to have godly influence.
• Have something of value to say. - Modern society mistakenly assumes all opinions are equally valuable. This presumption is patently ridiculous.... How do you become someone who has something to say? Study. Think. Prepare. Too many people want the prestige of influence without paying the price to earn it.
• Refrain from speaking when you have nothing of value to contribute. - The author of Proverbs sagely declares, “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.” (Prov. 17:28 NKJV). It is humbling to acknowledge that we may never appear more profound than when we say nothing.
• Always tell the truth, regardless of how unpopular. - Sadly, in today’s politically correct climate, people frequently say things that are patently untrue but politically correct. In corporate America, people are tempted to say what management wants to hear rather than what they need to hear. If you always tell the truth, you may not always be popular, but your opinions will carry weight.
• Be discerning. - Influential people have an uncanny sense of timing. Jesus warned His followers to beware of casting pearls before swine (Matt. 7:6). There is no point in sharing precious truth with someone who will only despise it. Better to wait until the time is ripe and the audience is open.
• Be Spirit-led. - The apostle Paul exhorted, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit...” (Ephesians 5:16-18 NKJV).
Richard Blackaby concludes his thoughts on being a person of influence with these words.
“In the confusing, divisive time in which we live, we need God to grant us the maximum influence possible, not for our sake but for the benefit of the people around us who need to hear God’s wisdom.”
Do you want to make an eternal difference in the lives of those around you? God’s wisdom outlasts and outperforms anything man may have to offer from a human perspective. Share His wisdom and you will find that your life has a greater influence than you thought ever possible.
A routine? What for?
We are all learning through these days of pandemic crisis. We may be learning how challenging it is to be with our family 24/7...even with all the love we have for them. Hopefully, we are learning the importance of a routine. If you are like me, the first few days of this stay-at-home edict I found myself wandering from task to task...or sometimes just sitting or reading for recreation and escape. Sometimes I watched old baseball games since there were no teams playing...no group sporting events of any kind.
One of the things I’m learning is the importance of a routine. Judy and I still get up early and do our separate Bible studies. Then at breakfast, usually at 7:00am, we read a devotional from a spiritual leader we admire. And often we listen to a favorite gospel song or hymn on YouTube. That’s been our routine for years, and we continue to stay on track with it. Routine is good, especially when we could rationalize that we don’t need a routine. Not going anywhere. Not seeing anyone. No appointments on my calendar. No meetings...apart from an occasional Zoom meeting.
Along those lines, I was looking in my closet this morning and saw some shirts Judy had ironed for me a few days ago. (I know...I’m blessed!) I haven’t worn those shirts yet. They are the shirts I would wear for Sunday church or for teaching a class or for meeting with someone for lunch to talk about our ministry. They are not the shirts I would wear around the house. Those shirts were for “good” events...not just hanging around the old homestead.
Looking at them this morning, I have changed my mind. I’m going to dress a little better these days. At least during “working hours.” I’m going to put on something besides tennis shoes or deck shoes. I may even put on khakis instead of jeans. (I know...radical.) The point is, I need to reinforce my routine during these days with how I dress. While it probably won’t be coat and tie, it will also not be jeans and a t-shirt all day.
I remember a hymn we use to sing. It may be instructive for you as you lead others...even when distanced from them. One of the verses says:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate every part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have.
A worship pastor, Howard B. Grose, wrote those words in the 1800’s after an incident in his church’s choir practice. Grose’s son gave the account.
"My father was the organist and choir director of our church. One evening at choir practice a young man wandered in late, interrupting what was going on as he slid past other singers into his place. When my father asked why he was late, he simply shrugged and had no answer. At which my father stung him...and set the bar for all of us...by saying to the latecomer, "The Lord doesn't want your spare time."
I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Colossian believers.
Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people.... Colossians 3:23 NET
These are challenging days. Sometimes we just want to get through them. It may be that God wants to teach us in these days. Teach us to value the things He has given us...family, possessions, home, friends...in a far deeper way. He may be reminding us that everything we do is a reflection of our love for Him. And the Lord may want us to shed those things in our lives that are not so important and lean on those things that have eternal value.
Give of your best to the Master....as to the Lord and not just for others.
Excuse me... I need to go pick out tomorrow’s wardrobe.
A balancing act!
In the midst of t
he most disruptive event of my lifetime, a challenge for Christians in media is balance. The news media, social media, and every other kind of communication tool is flooded with the COVID-19 story. Understandable. It is THE big story of the century, no doubt. I have especially appreciated the creative humor with which many have approached the isolation and binge buying that has become the norm of the day. Some of it is quite funny!
As you know, I am a big proponent of what we used to call in our radio days “water cooler talk.” That was picking up on what people were already talking about (around the office water cooler) and using it as a starting point with on-air talk. It engages the audience with what is on their mind, then takes them further.
My biblical example has been Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman he met at the well. He began by engaging her at her point of reference...drawing water...and then moved to telling her of the spiritual water that once she tasted she would never thirst again.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14 NLT
But notice, Jesus didn’t keep talking about physical water. He moved to the spiritual realm rather quickly. Then Jesus moved into other areas that were hard for her to hear...about her marital situation. Yet as a result of that exchange, many came to know Christ as Lord.
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” John 4:39 NLT
So, here’s my point. As you use your media platform to inform people of the pandemic, the need for isolation to “flatten the curve,” to religiously wash their hands, and other important directives...don’t forget the Gospel. A person who survives the coronavirus and has not accepted Christ as Lord is still lost and on their way to hell. They need the Gospel. They need Jesus.
Balance.
Yes...use today’s important issues, the thing on everyone’s mind, to engage them in discussion and to share good information. But look to quickly move on to the only thing that ultimately matters, the saving knowledge that God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. And that if we acknowledge (confess) our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all wickedness...all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Be sure that those who connect with your ministry and are looking for hope find the eternal hope that Jesus offers to all.
I might be OCD...
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. It can be a serious problem for some people. For many of us who are sometimes labeled OCD, it is a way people classify those of us who are a bit detailed in some areas. I have family members who say I am OCD. Just because I change the toilet paper in hotels so it feeds over the top (the correct way, of course) or straighten hanging pictures...in other people’s homes...doesn’t mean I’m OCD.
One website describes the disorder this way:
"OCD" is one of those terms that some people misuse as a way to describe people who like things super-clean or arranged just so. But if you have the actual condition that’s obsessive-compulsive disorder, how it negatively affects your life is very real. -WebMD
I have a friend who was described as being so OCD that she says she is CDO...being sure the letters are put in the proper alphabetical order. I grew up hearing again and again, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” Is that OCD?
My desire is not to make light of a very real mental disorder that can have many levels of anxiety and be debilitating for some people. But it did get me thinking of spiritual applications.
I hope I am obsessed with knowing Jesus more and more each day. I hope to be obsessed with living in such a way as to faithfully reflect the nature and love of Christ to those around me. It seems to me that the Apostle Paul was obsessed in that way.
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 NASB
Evangelist Greg Laurie spoke of Paul’s obsession.
“The apostle Paul had something essential for effective evangelism: a God-given burden for those who did not know Jesus Christ. In his case, the burden was for his own people, the Jews. He cared. It burned inside him.”
I hope my desire to study God’s Word would almost become a compulsive behavior, repeated again and again. Not simply going through the motions or becoming anxious about it. Rather, driven by my understanding of God’s great love for me and His desire to communicate with me through the pages of the Bible, I want to systematically and repeatedly dive into God’s Holy Word to see what He would tell me today.
As for the word disorder? It depends on how you look at this. To the lost of the world we know that our spiritual lives are foolishness. We have heard politicians talk about Vice President Mike Pence as being mentally ill because of his deep relationship with Jesus Christ. Many cannot comprehend that God communicates His love and direction to us through prayer, the Bible, and even the circumstances of life. Foolishness. And to say that the Lord Jesus “speaks” to us sets many off on a tirade about how unbalanced Christians are.
I want to live so close to God and His Word that nothing else gets in between us. So maybe I’ll change OCD to mean something totally different for my life.
Only
Christ
Directs
Now, let me go straighten a couple of pictures on my wall.
So, you want to be a leader...
First, let’s get something straight. We are all leaders...to one degree or another. It may be in our home or among our friends. It may be the Lord has placed us in areas of leadership in ministry. And if we are honest with ourselves, we sometimes feel inadequate to be in that role. Very few of us have a degree in leadership. However, many of us desire to be the leader that God has called us to be.
Of all the leadership books that are out there...and there are a zillion of them...the best ones for me are those based on the principles found in God’s Word and based on amazing biblical leaders. Spiritual Leadership by Henry and Richard Blackaby comes to mind, along with Lead Like Jesus by Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges. I would also include John Maxwell’s books that draw primarily from Christian principles in guiding leaders.
Having said that, there are many things we can also learn from those who have researched leaders and leadership. Many of us have gained from studies by Jim Collins in his classic book Good to Great. These examples help us identify traits that successful leaders have and allow us to analyze our leadership style to see where we can improve.
I recently came across a list of traits of exceptional leaders compiled by leadership blogger/writer Glenn Leibowitz. Many of them sound like traits taught by the Lord through His Word. Here are some of Leibowitz’s inspiring leadership traits. How many of these traits do you exhibit?
Traits of Exceptional Leaders
- They trust you to do the job you’ve been hired to do.
- They seek your advice and input.
- They find opportunities to let you shine.
- They recognize your contributions.
- They have your back during tough times.
- They are master storytellers.
- They challenge you to do bigger and better things.
- They express appreciation.
- They are responsive.
- They know when to apologize.
- They give credit where credit is due.
- They treat others with dignity and respect.
- They care.
How would you score? Where could you improve? What if you presented this list to those you lead? How would they score you?
When the Lord moves us into leadership roles it is not to build us up. It is to build up His work to accomplish His purpose. And he doesn’t move us into leadership to fail. If we learn from His Word and give attention to our own heart and attitudes toward others, we can become extraordinary leaders who accomplish much for God and His Kingdom.
I boil my leadership guide down to four words.
Love God. Love people.
My basis for this is from Jesus, who, when asked what the greatest commandments were, responded this way:
“‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 22:37-39 NLT
How will you score today? This week? Lead on...
What? No website?
Can you imagine a highly successful business today without a website? Unthinkable. Yet my friend Raymond Harris who grew one of the most successful architectural firms in the United States did just that.
No, that wasn’t the reason for the company’s success. It was an illustration of the philosophy Raymond embraced that served him and his company for decades. And it is a philosophy that can help us honor our Lord as we serve Him and others.
In his wonderful book, Business by Design: Applying God’s Wisdom for True Success, Harris talks about humility as a key character trait for those seeking to reflect God’s nature and serve effectively. He uses Jesus’ familiar parable of those attending a banquet, found in Luke 14:7-11. The Lord noticed all who were coming to a dinner were trying to take the best seats near the head of the table. That must have been quite a sight. And Jesus turned it into a teachable moment. He told those at the dinner that it is better to take a lower place. To be humble. If you try to take a seat of honor, someone more important may come in and you will be embarrassed as you are made to move down to the end of the table. And the lesson is clear.
For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Luke 14: 11 NLT
This principle holds true for our businesses and ministries as well as for us as individuals on the team. Remaining humble in our spirit and in our actions allows the Lord to lift us up as He sees fit to do...for His purpose, not for our ego.
Raymond Harris also reminds us of Jesus’ teaching on this idea of being great in God’s Kingdom. Jesus said we need to be humble like little children. And this can be seen in these traits:
• Teachable
• Faithful
• Obedient
• Dependent
• Vulnerable
• Innocent to worldly ways
• Quiet before elders or authorities
• Hopefully optimistic
What would it be like if your ministry or business were filled with people who had these traits? What would it be like if those of us who are in leadership positions would also exhibit these characteristics? Remember, Jesus said He came to serve. He did not glorify Himself but let God do so. On more than one occasion God’s voice could be heard saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
And what about not having a website? Raymond Harris writes that he wanted to guard against losing that sense of humility by advertising how great they were as a company. To that end he built an amazingly successful company without even having a presence on the internet or advertising in architectural or business magazines. He let the company’s actions do the job.
Now, the point of this message isn't about websites or advertising. It is about the spirit of the heart as we serve our Lord and serve others. The world pushes us to demand our lofty place at the table. The Lord tells us to humble ourselves and He will lift us up in due time, on His timetable, for His purpose and His glory.
No, don’t go zapping your website, and then proudly announce what you have done. That would be like telling everyone how humble you are. Just live before those around you...your staff, your volunteers, your family, your friends...in a way that shows the humility of your heart.
A winning team!
It got me thinking of the task of assembling teams for ministry and work. How do you identify good team members, and how do you prepare them for success?
John Maxwell in his Maxwell Leadership Bible looks at the team that Jesus assembled to be his disciples. Tax collectors, fishermen, those who were unloved and showed little promise from a human perspective. Yet the “team” Jesus identified and taught became the team that shook the world!
From the account in The Gospel of Mark, Maxwell points to examples of this group the Lord called, and posed some questions based on his observations.
- What positive qualities exist that may be seen as negative behavior? (I think of Peter, who said things and did things without thinking them through.)
- Do the individuals show initiative, even if it has been misdirected?
- Would these people add positive chemistry and unique value if placed on the team?
- Are they hungry to become more than something they are now? (“You are fishing for fish. I’ll teach you how to fish for men.”)
- Do they demonstrate passion that could be redirected [toward God’s goals]?
- Could they play a needed role on the team?
I’m sure there are other qualities and traits that can and should be considered. However, these speak to the issue of identifying things in a person that, if channeled in the right way, can lead to a strong team and can accomplishes great things. Yes, Jesus had a lot of teaching and training to do with the rough men he chose. However, He was willing to invest years in the lives of His team members...His disciples...so that they might ultimately be a powerful force even after Jesus was gone.
As I have watched the Dallas Baptist Patriot baseball team have winning seasons year after year, I have thought about the recruiting of new team members. Many of them were overlooked by much larger schools with big budgets. Yet these players have shown that with encouragement and an investment in training and development, overlooked athletes can become elite team members and achieve great success.
Final note from the baseball analogy: DBU baseball coach Dan Heefner tells his team to get one percent better each day. That seems to be a small, highly accomplishable thing. One percent better each day.
What if your team got one percent better in using media to share God’s Hope with those they serve? What could be accomplished in your ministry with your team...for the sake of the Gospel?
Spinning your wheels...
When Judy and I got married, almost 53 years ago, we honeymooned near the Texas Gulf Coast. And as we started for home, I wanted to do what my family had often done on trips to Galveston and the Bolivar Peninsula. We pulled off the highway to cross a path through some small sand dunes to get to the beach. We wanted to spend some time walking along the beach, hand in hand, listening to the sound of the surf and the gulls as they flew overhead. Sounds romantic, right?
It would have been romantic...except for one thing. The sand dunes. My car got bogged down in the soft, dry sand and I couldn’t go forward or backwards. I tried to dig out the sand from around the wheels with my hands, but nothing worked. I was stuck.
After a while a man came along with a shovel and we tried to dig some more. Still stuck. I would press the accelerator, the wheels would spin, but I could not go forward or backwards. It was frustrating and very un-romantic!
Eventually someone in a truck passed by who had a chain and he was able to pull and jerk my dad’s 1963 Chevrolet and get us on to solid ground. I was thankful for a rather good ending to this true story.
I must confess, there have been other times in my life when I felt frustrated and it seemed like I was spinning my wheels. No matter what I tried, the end results were not good. Maybe you have felt that frustration, too.
In the Old Testament book of Haggai, the Lord addressed His people with an explanation of some of their “wheel spinning” situations.
Listen.
Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1:5-6 NLT
It sounds liked God’s people were spinning their wheels. And the Lord explained through Haggai what was going on, why His people were having so much trouble. They had been putting themselves and their comfort and prosperity above the Lord. Earlier God quoted what the Israelites had been saying. “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” (v.2) Yet, He said they were living in luxury and His house was in ruins.
I wonder how often we have neglected the important things of the Lord in order to be comfortable. I wonder how many times we have overlooked God’s will and God’s way so that we might fulfill our own ideas. Have I put myself and my plans above those of the Lord? Have I said, in effect, “Lord, I have a better idea. I’ll get around to You and Your way later.”
Listen to God’s Word:
Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 NLT
Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
A bit later in Haggai we see God’s promise to His people when they decided to put the Lord first and they began work on the temple.
I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you. Haggai 2:19 NLT
Let’s stop spinning our wheels. Let’s be sure we are putting the Lord and His ways...His plans...first. And then let’s see what happens in our lives and our ministries as the Lord keeps His promises to us. He is faithful!
You can say that again! And again...
• Tell the audience what you are going to tell them.
• Tell them.
• Then...tell them what you told them.
That’s true for everything from beginning speech class right on through to the ministry leader or the corporate CEO. What is amazing is how many leaders think they are communicating when they are not.
My friend Don McMinn recently wrote about this in a blog, and he pointed to a study that was done a few years ago.
In their book The Leader’s Voice, Clark and Clarkson wrote, “The biggest problem with leadership communication is the illusion that it has occurred. A 2002 survey of 1,104 business professionals showed that while 86% of their leaders feel that they are great communicators, only 17% believe their leaders are, indeed, effective communicators.”
In that study, the authors identified four assumptions that leaders make that hinder good communication:
1. Listeners understand what was communicated.
2. Listeners agree with what was communicated.
3. Listeners care about what was communicated.
4. Listeners will take appropriate action.
If number one doesn’t happen, the other points are...well...pointless. People need to know what you are saying and retain that in a memorable way. Maybe that’s why God told Joshua over and over, “Be strong and of good courage.” (Joshua 1 KJV) Maybe that’s why the Apostle Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.” (Philippians 4:4 KJV)
The other points mentioned above are valuable in order to be sure that what you say takes hold with those in your audience. The Bible talks about being doers of the Word, not just hearers. The listener needs to understand why they should care about what you are telling them. In other words, why it should matter to them. And for these points you may need appropriate feedback from the listener.
Many times, you can read your audience, seeing the intensity of their eyes as you speak, the nodding of their head, the note taking, and other body language tips.
To be very sure, it is a good idea to get direct feedback. Asking the listener a question can help you know if you got your point or points across. Asking them their opinion, what they think about what they heard, will tell you if they agree with you. And asking them what steps they think they should take as a result of what they heard will start them on the path to be more than a hearer, to be a doer!
Now that I think about this, I should probably have a form for you to fill out with these kinds of questions that you can send back to me. However, I’ll trust you take this to heart so you might be a better communicator and can lead more effectively to accomplish what the Lord has for you in ministry and life.