Lately, I’ve been focusing my personal study time on learning to be a better communicator. In studying communication and public speaking in general, I’ve found one thing that EVERY coach that I’ve read or heard has in common…they want their students to be genuine. From the great communication coaches Carmine Gallo and John Bates to Linkdin superstar Lori Ruff, they all say the same thing, “When you’re getting ready to speak in public make sure you keep it real.” In fact, Lori has made that the title of her book and her TEDx talk! Through all the topics that are mentioned from mastery of your topic to how to effectively tell a story, the overwhelming point that is ALWAYS mentioned is simply to be yourself when you step on that stage.
I wonder if these communication coaches realize that they are saying the same thing that Paul said long ago by inspiration of the Spirit.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” - 1 Cor. 2:1-3
But, keeping it real in your preaching isn’t just so that people will fall in love with the point you’re making it also…
Helps people see that they aren’t in it alone...
Preachers, WE HAVE TO GET RID of this idea that the preacher can’t repent of a sin from the pulpit! When you’re preaching on a topic that you wrestle with, TELL THEM! They need to hear it just as much as you need to say it. Remember, admitting you have a problem is the first step to defeating it..
Helps people see that you aren’t just another public speaker...
Helps you feel like you’ve accomplished something at the end...
When it boils down to it, keeping it real isn’t just for the business world and it isn’t so people feel connected with you so they will, in a sense, buy the product you’re selling (the Gospel). The reason we ought to keep it real in the pulpit, and why Paul did so in his preaching, is because the brethren aren’t going to ACT on the point of faithfulness you are speaking on if all they see is a mindless robot standing before them reciting a manuscript. They hired YOU to teach them the Gospel, so use YOU to teach them the Gospel!