42. Make Your Message More Approachable

Hidden Potential: A Guide For Ministry Leadership

42. Make Your Message More Approachable

Big thought: So many times, we have a great life giving message that can truly help impact a person’s life and soul, we’re left deflated and confused when people reject that message on the spot. While saying things like, “they just can’t handle the truth” lets us off the hook, being better at how we say certain things can make our messages more effective and receptive to people.

In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about how important it is to meet people where they’re at with your language in order to help them to be more open to hear what you have to say. We’re going to unpack why and how it’s so meaningful and effective to consider your message’s approachability. We’re going to talk about some examples of certain things to avoid. And we’re going to look at some tips and ways for you to build your own unique language that’s approachable without compromising on the principles of your message.

1. Don’t Be Obnoxious

It is hard to listen receptively to someone who is being rude, and I find that most of the people who think that they’re “just being real” can’t typically take their own medicine. And sadly within Christian culture, a philosophy was born at some point that appears to believe that if you are condescending, obnoxious or rude in your punchline style message, your message is somehow more fire. But the reality is that kind of dialogue will only cause people who already agree with you to listen to you. Meaning, you aren’t necessarily changing any hearts with your message. The only thing that you end up doing is create a mini cult following that butters you up to feel more superior than you really are. And there are many problems that come from that (besides the one of pushing people away who may have agreed with you if you said it in a different way). The biggest one is that you end up limiting your potential to collaborate and make a greater impact than what you’re currently doing.

2. Talk Their Language.

It’s not necessarily what you are saying but how you’re saying it. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:22 that he becomes all things to all people. When he was with the Jews, he would talk and act like a Jew. When he was with the gentiles, he would talk and act like a gentile. He adapted his language and interaction to whatever group he was trying to impact so that his message would be more approachable and receptive to them.

In the same way, we need to throw off our idea of the truth is just too hard and people who can’t accept it are too stubborn or weak. No other successful organization operates like that. If you want to grow and reach other kinds of people, you need to work on your communication skills.

3. 3 Tips To Help Your Approachability

1. Speak as “we” instead of “you” and “I”

2. Be genuine and talk in a way that is both relatable and reasonable.

3. Don’t make yourself out to be Jesus or superior.

Take away:

1. Do a self-analysis and scale your approachability on a scale of 1-10, and then ask your team or someone close to you to rate you as well.

2. Make a list of the types of people that you are currently sharing your messages with and then make a list of types of people that you want to reach but haven’t been able to yet. (Simplistic example: List 1: people who go to church; List 2: people who don’t go to church).

3. Brainstorm creative ways to adapt your message to be more effective and approachable to reach those new types of people.

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