Media Outreach

Last month, we began a look the 21 Laws of Communication by Dr. James O. Davis. Let’s continue that series by looking at the eighth law.

8.  Presentations mostly do not fail because of logistics, but because the presenter does not know the audience.

Oftentimes the presenter is blaming the wrong thing or the wrong person when a speech or sermon does not go as well as hoped.  I realize that there are circumstances that come our way from time to time beyond our control.  Sometimes the electricity can go out; the air conditioning fails, the DVD can freeze and even babies can begin crying.  Yet, the polished presenter has learned how to turn these seeming negatives into positive ways to communicate the gospel.

While studying sermonizing, I have come to the conclusion that we need to know our sermons cold and not just hot.  In other words, if the alarm fails to go off this coming Sunday and we have to rush to the morning worship service, we should know our sermon so well that we know it even cold, without having had time to renew it our heart and spirit.

There is power in the pause when unforeseen problems come to our presentation.  If you know the message cold, then you will be prepared when problems come your way.  However, if you know the message but do not understand your audience, then you will still fail in your presentation.  I have heard preachers say some of the most unkind things in my life.  You can dress like you are intelligent, but everyone will know the truth when you open your mouth.

By: Dr. James O. Davis, Founder of Cutting Edge International and Second Billion Network

Tune-in tomorrow for the ninth law of communication.