Issue 04 Preaching in the digital ageBlog | Stand and deliver: Tools for effective communication authenticity
Stand and deliver: Tools for effective communication authenticity
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 09.09.15
Preaching has certain things in common with other forms of verbal communication such as university lectures, political speeches, wedding toasts or office presentations. It needs to be engaging, it needs to convey information clearly, it requires a level of confidence and conviction from the speaker. But perhaps more than any of these other examples, it depends on personal authenticity to be truly effective.
I f the listeners sense a lack of conviction or any kind of falseness from their preacher, it will undermine the power of what is said. Referring to reaching the young unchurched, Ed Stetzer of Lifeway Research writes, ‘There is no substitute for authenticity. Preaching with transparency has to do with being open and honest with a purpose that is redemptive and developmental. A preacher who is being transparent opens a window for the divine and pure purpose of helping others change in positive ways…’1 The goal of preaching is to facilitate life-changing encounters with God. Of course God works through us regardless of our frailties and failings, but if we bring our true selves to the task of communicating his word, our preaching will be all the more powerful.
