Connecting With People

From a forum (2004)

First thing I would say if you want to connect is throw away your notes or not refer to them but now and then.  If you’re reading your notes, you will never connect.  Look them in the eye as much as possible. pick out four or five people scattered throughout the audience and rotate looking at them so that they know you are looking at them.

Second, lighten up.  The Spirit can use humor as well as seriousness.  People today want the speaker to be authentic, at home with himself, and open.  To start learning the art of story telling, tell them your story of what God has done in your life and what God is doing in your life.  

Third, make your messages personal rather than taking them personal.  Leaders dont have the luxury of taking things personal.  

Fourth, don’t worry about failure. If you goof on the words, people will not worry about it if what you are saying connects with them.

Preaching should be fun and fulfilling rather than something that you labor over.