THE DYNAMIC PULPIT: HOW TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. – Gen. 2:16, 17

I strongly believe that clear communication is one of the crucial problems of leaders today. God give gifts of communication to leaders so that they can lead their people. But 60% of leaders fail to communicate clearly. This problem has caused so much misunderstanding, suspicion, hatred and disintegration. Adam was the first leader who fail to communicate.

By failing to communicate effectively with his wife, Adam botched his role as the first spiritual leader of the human race. Today, many leaders are still repeating the same mistake. They allow the line of communication to breakdown and confusion and crisis results. People will not follow you if they don’t know what you want. People will not rise to a battle cry they never heard. When the trumpet give an uncertain sound, nobody will respond. You may be a good speaker, but are you a good communicator? Having a message doesn’t matter if leaders don’t communicate clearly and motivate others.

A. FOUNDATION AND DEFINITION: Pro. 18:21; I Sam. 10:3-12; 25

Communication is the ability to share, make people understand and connect with them. It is painting a clear picture that people can relate with. It may come with words, images, handles and signs. The bottom line is that people must connect with what you have in mind.

During His leadership, Samuel was MR communication. Everyone listen to him. Why?

He spoke words of revelation (7:3)
He spoke words of inspiration (10:3-6)
He spoke words of exhortation (10:24)
He spoke words of affirmation (10:24)
He spoke words of information (10:25)
He spoke words of declaration (12:20-25)

Samuel spoke in such a way that his communication gave clear direction to the people and hope for their future.

B. POWER OF COMMUNICATION

Dynamic leaders are those that realize that until you know, you don’t go. They therefore get their direction clearly from the Lord before they move ahead. True leaders don’t joke with clear communication. They don’t hoard information and keep people in the dark and confused. Check these:-

Without clear communication, leaders travel alone.
Clear communication reduces conflict and friction.
Wise communication elicit support and commitment.
Good communication inspires dedication and result.
Communicating vision clearly results in vision ownership.
Clear communication open hearts and wallets of people.
Good followership is the outcome of clear communication.

Communicating clearly is a necessary skill to possess if you are going to be a successful leader. Connecting with people and getting your message across is absolutely essential to ministry success.

C. PEOPLE LISTEN TO A REAL LEADER: I King 18:27-38

Almost everyone wants to be listened to. Leaders especially wants to have the ears of people all the time. But the reality is that not every leader have the ears of the people. When some leaders are speaking, there is so much noise in the heart that doesn’t allow people to listen. You don’t demand to be listened to, you command it.

People will not listen to you as a leader when they see the following: dishonesty, selfishness, greediness, moral failure, incompetence, degree of ingnorance, craftiness, lying, money- consciousness, double-standard, dry anointing, stagnation and unclear message.

Why must people listen to us when we speak? Acts 2:37-41

People listen to us because of who we are.
People listen to us because of our integrity.
People listen to us because we incarnate godliness.
People listen to us because of who we know.
People listen to us because we care for them.
People listen to us because of what we know.
People listen to us because of the results we show
People listen to us because of our competence and expertise.
People listen to us because of what we have suffered.
People listen to us because we demonstrate conviction.

A good example is Elijah. Whenever he spoke, people listened. He was able to turn a nation back to God. He gained the ear of everyone who heard his voice. Until your communication ability gets to this level as a leader, you cannot truly succeed. When Peter spoke, people really listened and they turned unto the Lord.

D. MARKS OF CLEAR COMMUNICATION

These eight components will make you communicate with people with greater impact if you adopt them. They will make your communication memorable, life changing and effective.

1. Consecration – Your relationship with God will influence your communication impact.

2. Compassion – The care and love you show will transmit unknowingly to others. You must feel for them as you share.

3. Credibility – Your attitudes and actions speak louder than any words you share.

4. Connection – Being honest, in touch with others and transparent will open up the hearts of others to you and what you have to say.

5. Creativity – Story telling, illustrations, demonstration, new insight and ways of expression are very crucial to reaching people’s heart.

6. Clarity – Speaking forthrightly, purposefully and thoughtfully with a well laid out plan will help people to understand what you are trying to pass across.

7. Cheerfulness – Jokes, humor, passion and lighten up go a long way to help your communication. Take God seriously but don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn to make people laugh. Humor is medicine for the soul.

8. Conviction – Passion and conviction in your heart will affect those listening to you. If you speak with great passion, you will be bold and courageous in the pulpit. Conviction will make you deliver exactly what God had in mind for the people to hear and obey.

E. HOW TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY

Keep it simple – people should not wonder at what you meant.
Use simple language always confuse people. unclear jargons
See the person – know your audience.
Seek to be relevant – be informed and up- to-date.
Be well prepared – preparation gives confidence.
Be transparent – your life empower or decrease your messages.
Seek the response call people to a decision.