From Pastor Bill

Do you ever want to quit listening to people talk or push their agenda on television, social media, or even in person?  But then, when a public speaker finally does have your undivided attention, how did he/she get it? 

Is it because they are charming, intelligent, good looking, rich, entertaining, popular, interesting, educated, successful, or a smooth talker?  May I suggest two other pivotal aspects of communication that are often overlooked today?

First—Credibility.  In order to be credible you must be accurate.  Try your best not to mispronounce a word, misquote a source, or misrepresent a perspective or the truth.  Double-check everything, because when you are accurate, enormous credibility can be developed, and it will also cause others to listen to you when you talk about spiritual things that have an eternal significance.  Another important area that is crucial to building and maintaining credibility is personal integrity, because if the gulf is too wide between word and deed in your life, then your credibility will be at risk.

Second—Authenticity.  If you are genuinely authentic, then you are a person who can be believed, accepted, trusted, and relied upon to be that which is as presented.  Authenticity is when you are willing to share who you really are, without pretense, rather than withholding yourself from those whom you lead, serve, and influence.  And when a public speaker is authentic, it gives the listener permission to be authentic too.

With this in mind, think back over your life and try to remember the best pubic speaker you have ever known?  Who is it?  Do you have him/her in mind yet?  By the way, do you know who the best public speaker is whom I have ever known, a public speaker who was amazingly credible and wonderfully authentic?  Jesus Christ!

Devotedly your pastor,

Bill Blanchard