Called to Speak Sampler

“In Called to Speak, the authors provide simple-but-practical tips on how to become a public speaker. And more. Good material and well-written.”

—CECIL MURPHEY, author and coauthor of more than 130 books including bestsellers 90 Minutes in Heaven, Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, and Unleash the Writer Within

“Called to Speak will help you launch, grow, or revitalize your speaking ministry.

A perfect blend of heartfelt and humorous material, this how-to manual provides empowerment and enrichment for the message God has called you to deliver. The practical tips and poignant anecdotes make for a delightful read and a valuable reference.”

—DALENE VICKERY PARKER, Ed.D., NBCT educator, speaker, and author of Words to Live By: 52 Words That Lead to an Extraordinary Life and Christian Teachers in Public Schools: 13 Essentials for the Classroom

“Called to Speak is a compelling, inspiring, thorough, and practical book for anyone who is, should be, or wants to be a public speaker. It is a harvest of warmth, humor, passion, and experience. Read it and reap!”

—BOB HOSTETLER, author of The Bard and the Bible

“Detailed, deliberate, and delightful! Ellison and Gilden have complemented Called to Write in seamless fashion. The only thing missing in the title, Called to Speak, are the words, ‘A Complete Guide.’ Called to Speak equips women in ministry to impact their audiences in a biblically sound fashion, all the while looking and sounding professional as they do it. A must for every speaker’s bookshelf !”

—LINDA GOLDFARB, international speaker, author, and certified professional life coach

“I have been a public speaker my entire adult life and quite often someone in the audience will approach me with the question, ‘I want to do what you do. Where do I begin?’ I am delighted to say that now I have a ready answer: ‘Begin by reading my friends’ Linda Gilden and Edna Ellison’s new book Called to Speak!’ How marvelous to have a primer that contains all the information and inspiration for both beginning and seasoned communicators. I especially appreciate the care these authors have taken to encourage us as speakers in affirming our commitment and calling in Christ. Read this book, pray, and get to work! Pursue your purpose and allow God to open the doors and bring the fruit.”

—LUCINDA SECREST MCDOWELL, author of Dwelling Places, codirector of reNEW writing retreat, founder of EncouragingWords.net

“Using personal stories and a wealth of experience, Edna and Linda have written a solid guidebook for speakers. This book will escort you as you answer your call to communicate.”

—KAREN PORTER, speaker, coach, and author of Speak Like Jesus

“If you would like to become a speaker, Called to Speak is the perfect guide. From a mission statement, a one-sheet, and a press kit to a conversation with a meeting planner, the speaking contract, and the speaker’s travel list, you will find step-by-step instructions, examples, and encouragement. You will also understand the power of prayer, the importance of God as your partner, and the need to accept God’s timing in your speaking ministry. I highly recommend this book to my coaching clients.”

—YVONNE ORTEGA, LPC, LSATP, CCDVC, certified World Class Speaking Coach and author of Moving from Broken to Beautiful ® through Forgiveness

“Called to Speak takes every speaker on a treasure hunt. With Edna and Linda as your guides, experience many ‘Aha!’ moments in this treasure chest filled with powerful tips and tools for any speaker in ministry. The chest overflows with practical personal examples and helpful hints. Called to Speak doesn’t just give you the how-tos, it helps you think, plan, and prepare. Don’t miss out. Whether you are a speaker who writes or a writer who speaks, Called to Speak is a must-have for your library.”

—GERRY WAKELAND, president, CLASSeminars Inc.

PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WOMEN’S MINISTRY

speakers and teachers

®

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

New Hope® Publishers PO Box 12065 Birmingham, AL 35202-2065 NewHopePublishers.com New Hope Publishers is a division of WMU®. © 2017 by Edna Ellison and Linda J. Gilden All rights reserved. First printing 2017.

Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise — without the prior written permission of the publisher.

New Hope Publishers serves its authors as they express their views, which may not express the views of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Ellison, Edna, author.

Title: Called to speak : practical tips for women’s ministry speakers and teachers / by Edna Ellison and Linda J. Gilden.

Description: First [edition]. | Birmingham : New Hope Publishers, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016042679 (print) | LCCN 2016043761 (ebook) | ISBN 9781625915115 (permabind) | ISBN 9781596699649 (Ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Rhetoric--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Public speaking--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Public speaking for women. | Oral communication--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Church work with women.

Classification: LCC BR115.R55 E45 2016 (print) | LCC BR115.R55 (ebook) | DDC 251.0082--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016042679 All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version®.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version.

ISBN-13: 978-1-62591-511-5 N174109 • 0117 • 2M1

Contents FOREWORD P R E FAC E

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7

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION

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11

C H A P T E R 1 : P U R P O S E A N D PA S S I O N

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C H A P T E R 2 : P R E PA R AT I O N A N D P R AY E R C H A P T E R 3 : P L A N N I N G A N D P L AT F O R M

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43

C H A P T E R 4 : P R O C E S S A N D P R E S E N TAT I O N C H A P T E R 5 : PA RT N E R I N G W I T H P E O P L E C H A P T E R 6 : P U B L I C I Z I N G YO U R P L AC E

79 91

CHAPTER 7: PERSONALITY AND THE PUBLIC C H A P T E R 8 : PAT H S A N D P O S S I B I L I T I E S

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121

CHAPTER 9: PRACTICE AND PERSEVERANCE CHAPTER 10: PROGRESS AND POWER

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CHAPTER 11: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

159

APPENDIX SPEAKER VOICE CHECKLIST 171 SPEAKER’S PREPARATION PLAN 172 SPEAKER ENGAGEMENT CONTRACT 173 THE SPEAKER’S PRESS KIT 175 SPEAKER SHEET/ONE-SHEET 177 CALENDAR CONNECTIONS 178 SPEAKER’S TRAVEL LIST 181 MAKE A TIMELINE 182 PLAN OF SALVATION 184 SHOW YOUR MESSAGE THROUGH BODY LANGUAGE 185 CODE OF ETHICS FOR CHRISTIAN SPEAKERS 186 IN CASE OF DISASTER: ADVICE ON TROUBLESHOOTING 187 STAGES OF PRAYER: ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR A SPEAKER’S SPIRITUAL PREPARATION 189 GLOSSARY FOR SPEAKERS 190

Dedication To God, who gave the best message of all.

Foreword

IT WAS MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE, AND I WAS PLACED in a mandatory speech class at the Christian university where I was enrolled. With fear gripping my heart, I walked to the front of the classroom and stepped up on the tiny platform to deliver my first five-minute presentation. Less than a minute into my speech, the teacher spoke loudly from the back of the room, “Young lady, you need more vitality!” Fear gripped my heart, and I felt like dropping out of the class. But I persevered, and by the end of that year, God changed the desires of my heart. I wound up majoring in the subject I feared most.

Following graduation I received an invitation to speak at an outof-state women’s conference. The meeting planner was asking a year ahead of time, and I thought I would have plenty of time to prepare.

But as the date approached, my old anxieties about public speaking returned. I got on the plane, hesitantly delivered three messages, and returned home.

Two weeks later a padded envelope arrived in my mailbox with the recordings of my presentations inside. As I listened to the first message, I heard an unnerving “thump, thump, thump” over the sound of my voice. A note dropped out of the envelope. It was from the technician. It read: “Dear Mrs. Kent, when we listened to the recording of your first talk, we thought our equipment was terribly defective; but the longer we listened, the more we realized our sensitive microphone was just picking up the sound of your beating

7

FOREWORD

heart. Obviously, you relaxed after a while.” If I could overcome my fear of speaking, so can you!

During the next few years I started a home Bible study for women in my neighborhood. God blessed our little group, and I received more invitations to speak and teach. Before long I was the director of women’s ministries at a large church, teaching 225 women in a weekly Bible study. Following a move to another state, I became a teaching leader for Bible Study Fellowship in a classroom of 350 women. Invitations multiplied, and eventually I went into a full-time retreat and conference ministry.

How I wish I had a resource like Called to Speak to help offer direction in those early years of overcoming the fear of speaking. I would have relished help with figuring out how to put a message together, how to deliver it with appropriate eye contact and gestures, and how to handle the logistics of a speaking ministry. Most of all, I would have better understood what it means to be called to speak — that it’s not an ego trip because we want to be up front.

It’s a holy calling and God Himself will equip us with everything we need to deliver His truth in the most effective way.

Edna Ellison and Linda Gilden have written an extraordinary book that will help equip those called to speak. It will give you the essential tools for developing your God-given gift, organizing your messages, delivering them with confidence, and walking in your calling. Most of all, this book will always point you to the reason we have a message to deliver — that God has given us His Word as our primary resource and has equipped us to be His ambassadors to a world in need. I highly recommend this important book!

Carol Kent

Director, SpeakUpConference.com Author, Speak Up With Confidence

8

Preface

WHEN WE FINISHED OUR LAST BOOK, CALLED TO WRITE, we immediately knew there should be a companion book, Called to Speak. The two go hand in hand. You can hardly be a writer without taking advantage of opportunities to speak about your writing.

Speakers, likewise, must have books and other written materials to enable those in their audiences to take the message home with them.

Speakers must be writers and writers must be speakers.

However, within the category of communicators, there are two very distinct kinds of speakers.

First, there are speakers who are primarily speakers and secondarily writers. From a young age, they have enjoyed the limelight and taken advantage of every minute on a stage. This group loves to be behind a microphone and revels at the sound of his or her voice.

The second group is made up of those who are writers turned speakers. These people began by writing articles and books. Soon, they realized they would have to speak in order to promote their books, articles, and other pieces. They are solid researchers and know their subjects in depth, meaning they have a vast knowledge from which to speak. And even though their pleasure is in spreading their message on the printed page, they take to the stage to give wings to their message.

No matter which group you are in, you have chosen to read this book because you have a desire to become a better speaker and to broaden the scope of your speaking. We are praying for you, our reader, as you do that.

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P R E FAC E

Speaking is a joy. Speaking is hard work. Speaking is one of the greatest privileges as you share a message God has placed in your heart. Study hard to be a good messenger. Pray long that your words will nestle deep into the hearts of your listeners. Roll up your sleeves, and learn the best way to reach out to others in the name of Jesus.

Do not take this calling lightly. Yes, just about everyone in the world can talk, but to actually communicate in a way that encourages and equips your listener to put your words into action takes commitment. You have been called to reach others with your words.

This book is for people who feel called to accomplish God’s purpose in their lives through public speaking.

Your words can make a difference.

Edna and Linda

10

Acknowledgments

WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO WRITE THIS BOOK. BUT IT WAS not a solo project, or even a coauthored project. This is the result of the hard work and prayers of many people.

Thank you as always to our families. They have become used to the idea that deadlines not only mean sleepless nights for us but also delayed, take-out, or missed family meals, laundry on a less regular schedule, and so much more. For that reason, we salute our families as our number-one cheerleaders.

New Hope Publishers, you are the best. Without our support team at New Hope, this book would never have made it to print.

Sarah Doss, welcome to the team. We love and appreciate you already. Kathy Caltabelotta, your support and willingness to help, no matter what, is valuable. And to all the others at New Hope who have in some way touched the production of this book, we are so grateful.

Without the sense of calling we have from our Lord Jesus Christ, neither of us would have ever entered the field of speaking. Thank you, God, for making Your plan abundantly clear to us — for equipping us and for opening so many wonderful doors. If there is any praise or glory as a result of this book, it goes to You.

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Introduction

HAS GOD GIVEN YOU A MESSAGE YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH others? Do you listen to speakers and think, I want to do that someday?

Or are you a statistic? Many surveys have discovered the number-one fear in the world today is glossophobia, the fear of public speaking. But is it really scary to share you heart with another person or a few hundred?

Have you ever had something happen, and you just couldn’t wait to get on the phone, run next door to tell your friend, or share your thoughts via social media? Do you believe in something so strongly that everyone who sits next to you on the bus or meets you in the break room at work hears about it? Do you feel so passionately about the things you believe in that you think everyone else should get excited about them too? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have that kind of message. You have the message the world needs to hear!

Perhaps you are a writer who has spent years spreading the good news in print. You may have even read our book Called to Write, but now you realize that to do the best job you can, you need to become a speaker as well. After a spoken message, book sales are usually strong because people want to take the message home with them and share it with others.

A spoken message backed by a contagious passion effectively shares the message God has given you. Whether you speak to audiences of thousands or to a small, living room Bible study, your enthusiasm can excite your listeners in a way nothing else can.

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INTRODUCTION

There are thousands of speakers in the world. But the difference in a speaker God calls to this exciting profession is where the speaker’s message comes from. Any speaker can study techniques and memorize materials. They can even be passionate about their subjects.

But one who is truly called speaks from a place deep within his or her heart.

So how do you know if you are called to speak? Has God whispered it to your heart or spoken it through a friend? Did He give you a story that begs to be shared or He’s nudging you to tell? Some speakers have known for a long time that speaking is their passion.

They’ve been the center of attention since grade school. Others dabbled along in other activities, collecting great material before discovering the pure joy in knowing God’s direction for their lives.

Only you can really know if you’re called to speak. The answer comes from God alone. Seeking His will can take hours of prayer, soul-searching, and counsel. Look deeply in your heart, and find how God is shaping your desires. Yield your life to God, and watch how He leads you. Are doors opening that could be only His doing?

Are there opportunities presented to you that could only be divine intervention?

Once you have established your calling and feel God’s direction to speak, you know your goal: to be the best speaker you can be and to speak for Him with excellence. You may not speak full-time, especially in the beginning, but whatever opportunity, you must approach it with the same dedication and commitment.

A speaker must be focused. Set your sights on a goal, and work unwaveringly to reach that goal. Like anything else, your speaking can be even more effective if you learn how to speak well. Training will make your message clearer, better organized, and give the listener more takeaway value.

As speakers who are believers, our message is clear. We speak to bring honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. That doesn’t 14

INTRODUCTION

mean every word must be a sermon. That doesn’t mean that everything we say must include the plan of salvation. However, it does mean that everything we speak, no matter the subject, should be spoken with excellence and in a way that honors our Lord.

Christian speakers need to be knowledgeable about many subjects, even those that include the “secular.” The world needs hope as delivered by communicators with a Christian worldview.

So let’s move forward in our calling to be the very best speakers we can be. After all, we have the very best message — a message of hope for a hurting world.

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Purpose and Passion

WHEN MY FIRST BOOK CAME OUT, I (LINDA) HEARD OVER and over again, “You need to speak to promote your book.” Promoting my book was important to me because I wanted to be a successful writer. But I was not very comfortable promoting my book through public speaking. However, I heard a Christian speaker’s training seminar was coming to a town not too far from where I lived. This organization said it could train ordinary people like me to communicate with large audiences. With fear and trepidation, I signed up and went — alone.

Just being with such a distinguished faculty and so many strangers was frightening for this shy girl. Not to mention standing in front of them and sharing things I was passionate about. But after a few hours of training, guess what happened? I discovered an entire new world of communication. I discovered that once I knew how to develop and deliver a speech with confidence, I really enjoyed it.

In days, I had the tools I needed to prepare, polish, and present an effective talk, whether about my book or any other subject. That training was a life-changer. It created a monster (in a good way!) as I quickly added speaker to my list of abilities and enjoyable activities. I started locally and spoke to any group who would invite me. My confidence increased, and with every presentation, I improved my skills.

That conference happened over two decades ago, but I have continued to learn how to be a better speaker. Some things have 17

CHAPTER 1

changed in the speaking business. But the thing that grew within me most was my desire to communicate with excellence and help others to speak and write in a way that they can confidently share their messages with the world.

Florence Littauer, founder of CLASSeminars (Christian Leaders, Authors, Speakers Seminars), a group that trains Christian speakers, often begins her instructional time with two questions: Do you have a message? Does anyone need to hear it?

Those two important questions are helpful starting points for any novice or seasoned speaker. Other questions you may ask yourself include: • Is your subject of interest to other people?

• Do you believe something so passionately that you just can’t keep it inside?

• Do you have something to say that can be life-changing for your audience?

• Is there an audience that fits your message?

When my two-year-old granddaughter Elyse doesn’t know the answer to a question, she plants her little feet, holds out her arms with palms up and says, “I have no idea!”

You may be feeling that way right now about speaking. If so, let me make a few suggestions to get you started on your path to being a great speaker.

Make sure God is calling you to speak. Nothing is more miserable than trying to do something without His blessing. If you are learning to be a speaker because you like to be in front of people, this may be a difficult path for you. Pray about your desire to speak.

Earnestly ask God to reveal your motives. Is it obedience to His calling? Or are you looking for a way to be the center of attention?

If you haven’t heard God’s direction, it may not be His timing.

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P U R P O S E A N D PA S S I O N

Kathy Collard Miller shares this story about her speaker beginnings.

Personally, I never intended to be a speaker. I had always wanted to be a writer. After my first article was accepted, I was so thrilled; I had to tell everyone. That first article told the story of how God delivered me from being a child abuser. Few people knew about my experience because I was still too ashamed to talk about it. But I did tell them about the article being accepted — I was so thrilled!

I didn’t know that every person would immediately ask, “What’s your article about?” Then I was forced to begin talking about that painful time of my life. No one ever condemned me. God knew that mercy was necessary because otherwise I would have withdrawn back into my shell. I still had no intentions of sharing with a group. But God had a different plan.

At a small group function at my church, I was sharing what God had done in my life when one lady said to me, “You should tell our church’s mothers’ group about that.”

I replied, “No way!” And meant it.

She said she was going to tell the group chairperson about me anyway, and I adamantly exclaimed, “You don’t need to because there’s no way I’m going to share with everyone about that horrible time in my life. Especially at my own church! No way!”

I didn’t know if she would or not, but as I began to pray about it and seek God, He began to change my mind to obey Him. By the time that woman in charge called, God had prepared my heart to agree to speak. I’m glad He did.

I prepared my talk with trepidation, and in the midst 19

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of giving my speech, I knew I’d found a new joy. As soon as I was done I wanted to get up and start speaking again.

I remember that first speech with a little bit of embarrassment, though, because I basically read my talk from my notes with as much eye contact as I could muster.

Even though I didn’t do a stellar job, God still used it, and word about my speaking began. That was in 1980, and since then, I’ve spoken in more than 30 states and eight foreign countries. I have also published more than 50 books.

I’m so glad I obeyed the Lord even though I was terrified.

PA S S I O N Luke 6:45 says, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

What is your heart full of ? When you think about an overflowing glass, water comes to mind. When you think about a big overfilled bowl, you think of popcorn. If you aren’t paying attention when filling your car, gasoline will overflow.

If you are a Christian speaker, you will speak from an overflow of your relationship with Jesus Christ. Without investing in that relationship your words may be empty and have little eternal value. To speak to audiences and small groups or to write meaningful books, articles, poems, and other manuscripts, you must have something of value to share. Passion is your connecting point.

Passion is not something you can get from someone else. You can’t buy it, you can’t learn it, you can’t reach out and touch it. But the good news is that most of us have something we are passionate about, something deep within us, something we feel strongly about.

Anyone can put together an informative, professional presentation, but the passion that will make it an excellent presentation comes 20

P U R P O S E A N D PA S S I O N

from within. Your excitement about your subject will help your audience remember your message.

Pastors all over the country demonstrate this passion every Sunday. Think about different pastors you have heard speak. You have probably been in a congregation where the pastor stood to read the Scripture and then switched to reading his notes. Not a very exciting presentation. You have probably also been in the audience when a pastor reads the Scripture, interjecting his excitement and thoughts as he goes, and then begins to deliver his message along with positive, animated body language, drama, and voice inflection.

Which sermon did you remember more?

As speakers, enthusiasm and passion will overflow every time you are in front of a group. No matter what your subject, your audience will respond to the level of your passion.

One morning I sat on the porch as the sun came up. I was alone, enjoying the day as it put on its brilliant colors. I looked at the swimming pool in the backyard; it was so still, it looked like highly polished glass.

As the sun made its way over the hill, the light caused a crystal clear reflection of the trees lined up around the perimeter of the property. The pool mirrored the image surrounding it.

It was then I realized there was a reason the pool could reflect like that. The pool had such a clear image of the things around it because of what was in it. It was full to the top with water, and the water clearly reflected the beauty around it.

Isn’t that the way it is in our relationship with God? If we are full of Him, not half full but totally filled, we will reflect His love and light to the world. Those around us will see His beauty reflected from the Living Water that fills us. Daily time with God will develop a relationship with Him that overflows into everything we do. Whether we are headlining a conference, leading a Bible study, or chatting with someone in the grocery store, His love and light is reflected.

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So each of us must pay attention and nurture our relationship with God. We must work hard to fill ourselves with His love that can overflow to those around us and reflect the kingdom in everything we say, write, and do.

Does this mean every message you deliver must come straight from the Bible? Absolutely not. You may be asked to give a cooking demonstration if you have culinary expertise. You may train executives in how to help their employees make the most of their skills or how to efficiently deal with their customers and each other. But your demeanor, language, and attitude will be kind, encouraging, and Christlike throughout your entire presentation.

If you are asked to give a talk on gardening, here again your information will be practical, but it is also an opportunity for your Christian worldview to come through. Your love of God’s creation will be evident as you speak. As Steven Pavlina, a personal development blogger, says, “Passion and purpose go hand in hand. When you discover your purpose, you will normally find it’s something you’re tremendously passionate about.”

It is pretty hard to get someone else excited about something you are not excited about yourself. When choosing a speech topic, think of the things that you want to tell the world. While in conversation, which subjects can you simply not remain silent about? Take a minute to make a list of the things you’re passionate about, then consider the questions below.

• What is one of the most recent lessons God has taught you?

• Have you been through a crisis that brought greater personal faith and a deeper relationship with God? • Do you have a skill to share? Is there something in your life that every time you mention it, people stop and say, “Oh, I wish I knew how to do that!”

• Do you have an experience unique to you? Have you traveled to an exotic destination? Did you learn a lot about packing 22

P U R P O S E A N D PA S S I O N

tightly or planning for a trip? Were there cultural differences that enhance or illustrate your message?

• Journal a few things that come to mind when you consider what you would like to share with the world.

Before you unleash your passion about a subject, you need work hard to become a master of that subject. When you’ve studied and mastered a subject and learned to translate that message to your audience, you have the foundation for an excellent speech. If you can convey your excitement about your subject to your audience, your talk will be much more meaningful and provide a much greater learning experience. Your enthusiasm will not only transfer to the audience but they will also want to take it with them so they can share it with a friend.

In choosing your speech topic, there are several things to consider.

• How large is your audience? How old are they? What are their interests? What are they coming to learn? Do they just want to be entertained?

• What are your areas of expertise? Are there subjects you really like to talk about that match the interests of your audience?

• Is there an area of this subject that you feel passionate about?

Can you support that passion with facts and solid takeaway value for your audience? No matter your subject, find an area you are passionate about.

• Seek God’s guidance. As you read Scripture, consider which truths therein apply to your audience.

• Spend ample time researching. Find areas of the subject that interest you and are easy to become passionate about. If you are floundering and working hard to generate excitement about the subject, your audience will sense your uneasiness, and your credibility will be diminished. Be careful to avoid controversial or theologically complex areas, especially when you are starting out.

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You can tell by these points that speaking is not about you. Your message and ministry are about your audience. It is about your listeners and serving them in the best way you possibly can. What can you say that will be life-changing for them? How can you make your ministry reach more people than ever before? Which part of your message appeals to the most people in your audience? Maybe you’re not even to the point where you consider your speaking engagements as a ministry yet. However, if you’re reaching out to people who are coming together to learn from your expertise and life experiences, you have a ministry.

If you pray about your subject and the elements of your presentation, God will never steer you wrong. Even though you don’t know the needs of your audience, He does. And if you feel impressed to take your message in a different direction than you originally intended, He has a reason for that direction. You may not realize the reason until later or you may never realize it at all.

Are there things you can do to communicate your passion to your audience beyond your words? Yes, there definitely are!

Look confident. If you know your material, have prepared and practiced, you will deliver your information confidently. Even before you open your mouth to speak, hold your head high, look directly at your audience, and smile. This helps win their trust from the start.

Stand straight. Your posture communicates confidence (or lack thereof) to your audience. Leaning on the lectern projects weakness and meekness to your audience. (Ladies, if you are a lectern-leaner, check the neckline of your top before you go to the venue. Leaning over in a low or even medium-cut top can be disastrous.)

Remember your voice is the most powerful presentation tool you have. Use it to communicate your passion to your audience.

Speak slowly. Vary the pitch of your voice. Pause periodically for emphasis and to let your audience process your words.

Choose your words carefully. Simple ones are best. Your audience 24

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will not be distracted by wondering what you mean.

Don’t be afraid to show emotion. Don’t hide behind a stoic façade. Let your audience feel with you as you tell your stories.

Passion will allow you to revisit your stories as you tell them.

Your passion is your connection to your audience. Enforce it every time you can to build rapport with those who are listening.

The greater the rapport, the greater your impact will be.

Well-known American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Don’t forget to incorporate stories into your talk. Stories will draw your audience in and elicit empathy. If you don’t have a personal story, you can “borrow” one. Just be sure to ask permission and give credit.

And avoid stories circulated online — especially avoid telling them as if they were your own. Someone else will have read the story and know its origin. More importantly, you’d be lying. If that happened, you would be stripped of all integrity and would lose your listeners.

Working to effectively use your personal stories will challenge and push you as a speaker. We’re striving for excellence when we speak for God. We want to be above reproach in the messages that we communicate. Paul said, “This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words” (1 Corinthians 2:13).

PURPOSE If we do, in fact, speak from what the heart is full of, then the first question as you begin your speaking career should be — as you read the preceding pages — what burns in your heart? Why do you want 25

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to speak, and what is the main purpose behind each talk you give?

Main purpose — those two words are key.

Think about the main purpose fueling your desire to speak.

Whether you communicate to influence your neighbor, the women in your church, or a full auditorium of conference attendees, your ministry is to communicate effectively the work God has given you.

But first, let’s look at where you are as a speaker. Are you just getting started? Have you been speaking to small venues for a while and don’t know where to go from there? Do you consider yourself a seasoned speaker with much to offer your audiences? No matter your level of experience, a mission statement is foundational to your ministry or business. If you already have one, then perhaps this is a good time to review and update your goals and mission statement.

H O W T O C R E AT E A M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T First, we must define the term mission statement. Pay attention to the second word, statement. This is not a paragraph describing what you do as a speaker or defining your long-term goals. This is one sentence using as few words as possible — no more than 15 or 18 — to tell what you do. Your statement should be memorable to all those who work with you and concise enough to be quickly understood. It should be focused enough that you can run each invitation to speak through the filter of your mission statement to see if the opportunity is a good fit.

Sound like a lot of work? It does take time, but it is well worth the effort. Once done, you will have a tool to help you prioritize and accept speaking invitations. You will also have a way to share about your ministry when someone asks in passing, “What do you do?

What do you speak about?”

Now, let’s begin crafting your mission statement. Make a list of 26

P U R P O S E A N D PA S S I O N

words that apply to you and your ministry. Your list may include words such as encouraging, dynamic, inspiring, making something, building relationships, changing lives through powerful words, and the list could go on. Ask others what words come to mind when they think of you or your ministry. Obviously you can’t use all the words on your list.

But as you narrow it down, you will see your mission become more focused. Carefully consider the words and how they relate to what you believe God has called you to do as a speaker. Include words of action. Welcoming words. Exciting words. Warm words.

As you narrow the list, see how they come together and begin to align themselves in one theme. If speaking is not your only ministry and you want to cover all of your ministries in one statement, you will probably need to broaden your scope. Because I am a speaker, author, editor, and writing coach, my mission statement is, “Making a difference one word at a time.” This applies to all of what I do, yet the bottom line is I want to make a difference.

• Write your list on paper. Don’t discard the unused words. You may be able to utilize them in your publicity materials later.

• Write two sentences about your ministry using those words.

• Now cut it down to one sentence. See how much stronger your words are?

• Here is an example of a mission statement.

As a writer, speaker, and writing coach, Linda Gilden helps communicators take their ministries to the next level through words of encouragement and faith, making a difference one word at a time.

• You are almost there. Next reduce the word count by half. Now, you should have it. You should have used your strongest words.

The reader can tell a lot about your ministry from those few words.

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CHAPTER 1

CA L L E D T O S P E A K Because of this I will weep and wail; I will go about barefoot and naked. I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl.

— MICAH 1:8

Micah was so distraught over the sins of his people that he took pretty drastic measures. Being a spokesperson for his people, he felt the need to publicly lament over their state. His passion caused him to mourn, walk around naked, howl, and wail. His behavior was fueled by his passion for his people.

Is there anything you feel so passionately about? These days the appropriate expression of passion is not to walk around naked and wail. But your enthusiasm for the subjects you speak about will have the same effect on your audiences. They will catch the excitement.

Some will even join you in your quest to spread your message through reviews, word of mouth, and purchasing and sharing your materials.

Remember

PASSION

P U R P OS E

Comes from God

Serves God

Can’t be learned

Must be defined

Comes from your heart’s overflow

Comes from a desire to overflow

Can’t be borrowed from someone else

Can unite you with friends

Provides the drive to finish

Provides the plan to finish

Gives energy to your purpose

Gives wings to your passion 28

CHAPTER 2

Preparation and Prayer

WHEN BUILDING ANYTHING, WE START WITH THE FOUNDATION.

In preparation for speaking, a Christian speaker begins with the bottom step: the basic Cornerstone. If you want to be the best Christian speaker you can be, search your heart for evidence that Jesus is your cornerstone. If you want to be sure Jesus is the cornerstone and Lord of your life, see page 184 in the Appendix.

I S J E S U S T H E C O R N E R S TO N E O F YO U R M I N I S T R Y ?

Thousands of years ago, the speaker and prophet Isaiah foretold a truth: “So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic’” (28:16).

Paul, known as an excellent orator all over the New Testament world, identified Jesus as that Cornerstone to all of us who are “fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19–22). Notice that Paul believed Christians are also being built as a dwelling place for our Lord. God 29

CHAPTER 2

loves you and appoints you, His child, as His precious edifice.

What a promise! God sees you as Christlike, as a living stone, and He constantly “joins together” your ministry, as you become His priestly speaker who offers spiritual sacrifices of your time, talent, and personality. Another New Testament apostle, Peter, says, “As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by humans but chosen

by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4–5).

K E E P YO U R E Y E S O N T H E C O R N E R S T O N E If we take our eyes off Jesus, we may falter, thinking we possess all wisdom, counting on a clever psychological theory to take the place of our Cornerstone or using only the world’s wisdom as we speak.

As speakers we must plan ahead so we don’t grow weary physically, mentally, or spiritually and burn out. Like the houses of the three little pigs in the fairy tale, our houses or ministries will not stand without the proper foundational materials. They will be a flash in the pan, here today and gone tomorrow.

In his letter to Corinthian Christians Paul says, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work” (1 Corinthians 3:11–13). You probably have been under fire before and realize it takes hard work, the help of others, and a dependence on God to thrive.

Paul says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? . . . For God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple. Do not deceive yourselves. . . . For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s 30