Do More of What You Do Best with 6 Powerful Secrets

by: Will Mancini

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Tags: Clarity, Communication, Storytelling, Will Mancini

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Mind the Gap: 2 Ways to Prevent Communication Breakdowns

by: Dave Bair

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Good communication is critical. There have been mountains of books written and countless seminars delivered on the subject. If we know that good communication is so important, then why do we still struggle with it so much? I believe one reason is because we lose sight of the core purpose.

As leaders, the most common purpose of our communication is to change behavior. This might include delivering a rousing sermon on Sunday to encourage discipleship, or coaching a staff member to learn a new skill. So who is responsible if the behavior does not change, or results are not meeting expectations? If we measure the quality of our communication against the resulting behavior, it could change our perspective on the issue.

The meaning of your communication is the response you get.

They Just Don’t Get It

Too often as leaders, we put the burden of understanding on the receiver. It is their job to understand our thoughts, dreams, biases, and personality. If they would just take the time to understand me better, then they would surely grasp the message and do what I asked.

As you might imagine, this line of thinking often takes us down the path of judging others for their inability to get with the program, because they are not smart enough, talented enough, or bought-in enough. If we go further, it might lead us to believe they are even being malicious because they won’t get on board.

When they just don’t get it, there is a gap between your intent and their behavior.

Mind the Gap

I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. – Alan Greenspan

In any simple exchange between two people, there is a chain of translation, and the message can get lost anywhere along the way.

1. I have an idea in my head, made up of pictures, feelings, words.
2. I translate the je ne sais quoi of that mélange into concrete words and pictures to share.
3. They hear most of my words and probably lose a few.
4. The words they hear have a different meaning and significance for them, potentially triggering an internal response that is very different from what I hoped for.
5. They create their behavior to match their internal response (more pictures, feelings, and words) to the perceived message.

With all of those potential gaps in communication, it is a miracle we get anything done! How do we communicate in a way that can close those gaps with all that signal loss?

• Stop Talking and Listen. At each of the above transition points, stop and ask yourself, “how are they receiving my message?” It is important to ask what they received, not just if they’re keeping up. Most of the time, people are not lost in the discussion; they are translating incorrectly. For practical suggestions on how to actively listen to someone, I recommend this blog and video by Greg Salciccioli at CoachWell.
• Get Flexible. Each person is going to respond better to different language structures or examples of the point you are making. As a leader, the burden is on you to be the most flexible communicator in the exchange. If you naturally draw pictures, can you learn to also tell stories or share heartfelt emotions effectively? If you were born in the city, can you learn to share a rural example? The more flexible you are as a thinker and communicator, the more likely you are to elicit the response you are seeking.

Your Next Move

Think of the last time you shared a message and didn’t get the response you anticipated. Identify where the communication broke down and use your flexibility to close that gap.

> Read more from Dave.

Would you like to learn how to prevent communication breakdowns? Connect with an Auxano Navigator and start a conversation with our team.

Tags: Communication, Dave Bair, communication breakdowns

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How a Mere 18 Inches Can Start a Counter-Culture Revolution

by: Bryan Rose

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Look at this picture. What do you notice?

These guys that change oil and rotate tires made a small adjustment to their store that could also make a big difference in a first-time guest’s perception of your church:

They came out from behind the counter. 

By turning the computer screens around and standing next to the customer, a type of counter-culture revolution started. According to the mechanic, without the physical barrier in front he feels more connected to each customer and a higher level of trust exists, as they can see what he sees on the computer screen.

And who does not need more trust from their mechanic?

Most churches need a revolution from the “counter-culture” as well. Moving about 18 inches out from behind the typical welcome center desk…

… communicates readiness. Removing the barrier helps host team members feel more accessible to someone new, almost as if guests were actually expected. Take a walk around your church hallways or lobby. Which counters are ripe for removal and which should reside against the wall?

… forces simplicity. Church communications clutter diminishes when it can no longer hide in cabinets or shelves under the counter. Take a look at everything on and behind your welcome desk. Thinking next steps, ask yourself: What are the one or two most important pieces of information a guest needs right now?

… builds intention. Volunteers who are not standing behind a counter move from a passive posture and naturally become more engaged with their surroundings. Take an evening and schedule some training. What skills and practices will help lead your host team members from reactive welcoming into proactive hospitality?

Counters are great when dispensing a product in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants. However, even tire stores can see the relational benefit of moving out from behind desks to serve and engage people where they are.

Isn’t it time to start a counter-culture revolution in your church?

Would you like to know about how your environment can be more engaging? Connect with an Auxano Navigator and start a conversation with our team.

Tags: Bryan Rose, Communication, Counter-Culture Revolution, Welcome, Welcome Center Desk

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6 Bad Habits Affecting Your Church Announcements

by: Rich Birch

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Announcements are a great tool for moving people to action. [I wrote all about this in my ebook called Effective Announcements.] However, it can be difficult to keep them fresh and creative every weekend. Even worse, the people who do them can get lazy and some bad habits sneak in that undermine their effectiveness. Here are some of the bad habits for church announcements I’ve seen over the years:

• Constant weather updates // Commenting on the weather all the time is verbal diarrhea for church leaders. It’s a crutch when you don’t know what else to say … don’t do it! Add a high-value transition, like commenting on what just happened in the service rather than what a great day is it outside.
  • BONUS: The same is true about over-commenting on sports. Use it sparingly!
• Last-minute additions // It’s Sunday morning and someone from your kids ministry pleads with you to sell a special event happening on Tuesday evening. Don’t do it! Last-minute additions never pay the response dividends that people are looking for and they short circuit a well-planned communications strategy. Remember … it’s always bad to add!
• “Blessings” and other insider language // I don’t know what it is about doing announcements that makes people add all kinds of “churchy” language. Rather than talking about how great the youth event was … they talk about what a blessing it was for the youth to fellowship in that way. WHAT? Use language that makes sense to people who don’t normally attend church. (And stop taking up those “clap offerings”!)
• Shielding your eyes from the light // You go on stage and there are bright lights so people can see you. But you want to be able to see them, so you make a “hand over your eyes” shield. Stop that! It takes people out of the moment, reinforces the fact that those lights are there, and makes people feel disconnected from you because they can’t see you.
• Not introducing people // Who are all those people on stage with you? If you’ve ever visited a church and not known who is on stage, you’ll know how disorienting it is. Take 10 seconds and introduce everyone … it puts first-time guests at ease.
• Weird prayers // One of the reasons we pray in public is because it models what a “normal” prayer life is like. However, some church leaders fall into the trap of trying to impress people with big words or overly complex prayers. Don’t do it … model a prayer life that uses normal language to connect with God. It’s a simple way to help people take their next steps in this vitally important part of their spiritual lives.

> Read more from Rich.

Would you like to know more how to use announcements in a powerful, positive way that reinforces your vision? Connect with an Auxano Navigator and start a conversation with our team.

Tags: Articulating vision, Communication, Rich Birch, church announcements

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Is Your Worship Bulletin a Primary Tool to Reach Guests?

by: Thom Rainer

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In many circles, the church worship bulletin or worship folder is perceived to be old school, the tool of staid and traditional churches. Leaders with such a perspective are missing an incredible opportunity to put something in the hands of guests that, at least anecdotally, increases the chances they will return.

It is for that reason that I see the church bulletin to be first for guests. While church members can benefit from it, the most effective use comes from those who are new to your church. I thus note nine essentials for church bulletin with the guest in mind.

1. Worship times. Many bulletins are retained for future use. It is thus imperative for the worship times to be prominent in them.
2. Physical address of church. You want to encourage the guest to return, so include the physical address of the church for their GPS.
3. Website and social media links. This is a primary means of communication for our culture. Your church must be speaking that language, and guests need to know where to find you online.
4. Email, and telephone contact. Make certain there is an email and telephone contact so the guest can get more information on the church. Also, make certain someone responds quickly to any inquiries.
5. Prayer request contact. I encourage all churches to have some type of prayer line, either email or telephone. Many guests to your church will communicate with you through a prayer line before any other means. Make certain those contacts are in the bulletin, and make certain you have someone responding promptly to them.
6. Sermon notes. I have been surprised at the number of guests who are eager to take notes during the sermon. They expect to have a place to take notes.
7. Major events. Never clutter a bulletin with a multitude of events and regularly scheduled activities. Most of the time, the event should be an event for everyone, and should be considered of major value to the congregation.
8. Vision or mission statement. This (hopefully) succinct statement will communicate to the guests what really matters at your church.
9. Order of service. Some churches have gotten away from putting the order of service in the bulletin. I think that’s a mistake from a guest-friendly perspective. Guests may not have a clue what’s taking place in the worship services. Make certain they have a clue.

One item that may seem like an obvious omission is a guest registration card. We have found that these cards are more effective if they are placed as loose cards in the bulletin, rather than perforated cards the guest must tear off.

Again, let me emphasize that the bulletin is a primary tool to connect with guests. If you have abandoned this practice because it does not have a cool factor, please reconsider. It’s making a huge difference in churches that are using it intentionally to reach out to guests.

> Read more by Thom.

 Would you like to know more about the importance of your worship bulletin as well as other communication techniques are helpful in connecting with Guests? Connect with an Auxano Navigator and start a conversation with our team.

Tags: Communication, Thom Rainer, Worship Bulletin

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Reaching Today’s Culture Requires Your Church to BE VISUAL

by: James Emery White

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The Lindisfarne Gospels, a 1,300-year-old manuscript, is revered to this day as the oldest surviving English version of the Gospels. Lindisfarne is a small island just off the Northumberland coast of England. It is often referred to as Holy Island. Tidal waters cut it off from the rest of the world for several hours every day, adding to its mystique as a spiritual pilgrimage.

Produced around AD 715 in honor of St. Cuthbert, largely by a man named Eadfrith, the Bishop of Lindisfarne, the Lindisfarne Gospels presents a copy of the four Gospels of the New Testament. But it isn’t revered simply for its age. Its pages reveal curvy, embellished letters, strange creatures, and spiraling symbols of exquisite precision and beauty. During the eighth century, pilgrims flocked to St. Cuthbert’s shrine where it was housed, making the Lindisfarne manuscript one of the most visited and seen books of its day. Its artwork and symbols helped convey its message to those who could not read.

Professor Richard Gameson from Durham University sees it as a precursor to modern multimedia because it was designed to be a visual, sensual and artistic experience for its audience. Michelle Brown from the University of London notes that the book’s impact was similar to those of films and electronic media today. As Gameson adds, “The emphasis was to reach as many people as possible.”

There are many strategies needed for the church to have an open “front door” – to help those who were previously unchurched to come, and feel not only welcomed but to feel connected. In reaching the culture today it is clear that the church needs to be focused on a key element of this: be visual.

I have written in other places that there are striking parallels between our day and that of the Middle Ages. But if we are entering a new era that is similar to the earlier medieval era, what does that mean? If we are following the medieval pattern – and I believe that in many ways we are – there will be at least five dynamics:

1. widespread spiritual illiteracy
2. indiscriminate spiritual openness
3. deep need for visual communication
4. attraction to spiritual experience
5. widespread ethos of amorality

That is why the term neomedieval, first offered by Umberto Eco in regard to Western society, seems appropriate.

But it is the visual element that churches neglect to their peril. Over the last twenty years, we have decisively moved to a visually based world. The most formative influences are not books, theater, or even music.

They are films.

Throw in videos and the rise of YouTube, and you have the essence of a cultural revolution – not to mention something of a return to the medieval. For example, during the Middle Ages, there was widespread spiritual illiteracy, as well as actual illiteracy. People couldn’t read. This is why pilgrimages mattered so much to the pilgrims. Beyond the relics and holy places they thought might bestow grace, usually the cathedrals they visited held relics that told the story of faith through a medium they could understand: stained glass, pictures.

So while people couldn’t, or didn’t, read, they couldn’t help but see, and from seeing, understand.

It’s no different today.

We are spiritually illiterate and are visually oriented and visually informed. Only now, instead of stained glass, we have film. At Mecklenburg Community Church, the church where I serve as senior pastor, there is very little we don’t try to convey visually, whether it’s a song during worship or a point during a message.

It’s simply how people best receive information and meaning, content and context.

And because it part of the arts, it has a way of sneaking past the defenses of the heart.

Read more from James.

 Would you like to learn more about the importance of being visual in your church? Connect with an Auxano Navigator and start a conversation with our team.

Tags: Communication, James Emery White, Vision visually, Visual Communication

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Seth Godin Delivers 8 Key Insights for Church Leaders

by: Rich Birch

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Seth Godin is an American author, entrepreneur, marketer and public speaker. Over the years I’ve been inspired, challenged and shaped by Seth’s approach to communications and marketing. It was a dream come true to have an extended time with him … listening to what he is currently thinking about these topics. This post could have been 88 insights from Seth, but I’ve tried to boil it down to just a handful that I think are the most salient for church leaders today.

“People who settle are exposing themselves to huge risks.” 

• Seth commented that in a hyperlinked global culture choosing the “safe” path — the path of working for the industrial giants of the past — is risky. We need to be innovating or attempting something new to stay ahead in today’s culture. As a leader, am I choosing the “safe” path defined by the previous generation or am I doing whatever it takes to move forward?
• Take Away: How can churches take risks to impact our culture? What risks should you take this month to move your ministry forward?

“Gutenberg launched the printing press when 96% of the people in Europe were illiterate.” 

• Let this fact sink in for a minute: Gutenberg built a technology to solve a problem no one knew they had. If we’re going to reach people no other church is reaching, we have to do things that no one else is doing. What does extravagant innovation look like at your church? Why don’t churches have R&D departments devoted to pushing the envelope and making an impact in our culture?
• Take Away: What are we doing that no one else is doing to reach people no one else is reaching?

“We live in a world where people pay real money to raise invisible sheep!” 

• Seth used FarmVille, the online social media game where people “farm” virtual plots of land, as an example of an unpredictable outcome of today’s culture and market. Culture is shifting all around us … people are interacting in ways that weren’t conceived of 5 years ago … and we can’t dream of where we’ll be in another 5 years. I’ve always been struck by the fact that we overestimate how rapidly technology will change, but underestimate how quickly technological changes impact our society.
• Take Away: How are you staying an active learner to tap into where our culture is headed?

“If you can get someone to change … you are making art.” 

• A driving force behind Seth’s dialog was how we need to do things … make things … serve people … in a way that changes people. I was struck that this marketplace leader was talking about life change as an outcome. As church leaders, do we think enough about the “change” we’re shooting for with our programs and services?
• Take Away: What would happen if you started clearly articulating goals for how you want people to change with every interaction with your church?

“Anyone with a laptop is one click away from anyone else with a laptop.” 

• The great outcome of the information technology revolution isn’t that we have access to unlimited amounts of data … it’s that we have unlimited access to people. Technology is about enabling relationships. At its core, church is about connecting people.
• Take Away: How can we leverage technology to bring people together in our community?

“Treat different people … differently.” 

• One of Seth’s core messages was that today’s successful organizations market to smaller niches rather than the masses. The “television industrial complex” is dead. Stop trying to think about the global dominant culture and start trying to reach smaller circles. This is a challenge for church leaders, because we are largely focused on gathering larger crowds. We celebrate church leaders who are able to market themselves to as broad a demographic as possible. Are we rowing our boats in the wrong direction? Is the future about niche-ministries like Game Church and the house church movement?
• Take Away: When was the last time your leadership team talked about what “niche” you are trying to reach?

“You are yelling at people who think they have a problem that you can’t solve …” 

• Seth implored people to stop trying to “create the need” in people through marketing, and instead to find people with a problem and help them solve it. Marketing has traditionally attempted to foster discontent in an area and then introduce a product to deliver the solution. People have stopped listening to that sort of advertising … they see right through it. They need someone to help solve the problems they actually have.
• Take Away: Are we solving problems that our people perceive they have? Or are we trying to convince them that they have the problem we want to solve?

“After 100 years of poking people … some stuff stopped working so well.” 

• Seth had some comical old and odd advertisements for us to check out, like babies wrapped in plastic … starting drinking cola young … crazy sexist stuff … and doctors preferring Camels! Although these ads get laughs today, they also point to a cultural shift and a growing suspicion of marketing. People are sick of all the targeting, segmenting and marketing. Our role in communications today is to connect people together and share experiences, not to “sell” them on what we have in the warehouse.
• Take Away: What are we advertising at our churches today that we’re probably going to laugh at 5 years from now? (Be honest!) Should we stop it now to save ourselves embarrassment in the future?

>> Read more from Rich.

Tags: Communication, Rich Birch, Seth Godin, insights, marketing

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5 Cs That Help Shape a Missional Culture in Your Ministry

by: Jeff Meyer

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Changing the culture in any ministry is difficult work.

How do you help shape a missional culture in your ministry?  How are you creating an environment in which mature Jesus-followers “live in the world without being of the world, for the sake of their neighborhood?”

Here are 5 C’s to help put it a little more within reach.

Change Your Language

If you want to shape a missional culture, the words you choose should inspire people to act and live as missionaries right where they live.   Your language should be catalytic.  If it’s not, change it.  Be relentless in finding the right words that catalyze missional living in your people.  For example:

We are taking a fresh look at our Value Statements at the Church because we want our values as missional motives to propel every Jesus-follower to take action as missionaries right where they live.  We want them to be more than cool phrases that we teach people in our new members class.  For example:

We refer to our hub administrative staff as our “Mission Support Team” because we want every Jesus-follower at the Church to have the support they need “out in the mission field.”

What language do you sense you need to change?

Celebrate Stories of People on Mission

If you want to shape a missional culture where you lead, then celebrate missional activity.  Makes sense, doesn’t it?  Pay attention to what gets the attention in your local ministry.  Catch people living out their missional calling, then broadcast it in every way possible.  For example:

We created a web-site where we gather missional stories. I periodically interview people on mission in the message on Sunday mornings.

What are some ways you can celebrate the missional activity of your people?

Conduct a Campaign

There are times in ministry when we rally the troops and focus our energies for a season to accomplish a congregational sized goal.  We do it for capital needs all the time.  Is there anything more crucial to a ministry than helping people come to grips with their baptismal identity as missionaries?  Then why not launch a campaign?

Figure out the BIG ISSUES or KEY HIGHLIGHTS that are needing attention in this season of your ministry, rally the troops, and focus your energies there for a season.  For example:

We are on year three of our 3-year Vision Campaign called “1impact”.  This was an intentional season of focus as we pursued our vision “One Church, Regional Impact.”

Even as we close this season, we are beginning to rally the troops again as we consider the BIG ISSUES/ KEY HIGHLIGHTS we will be facing in the next 12-36 months at the Church.  Here’s my Top 10 at the Church:

• Realizing Growth while embracing a “Low Cost-Low Risk Model” (Low Cost Building and Staffing Solutions)
• Funding the Vision (Growing Generosity)
• Multiplying Missionaries
• Multiplying Discipling Relationships
• Raising the Bar on Service (Inside and Out)  lifeServe is our weakest strategy component
• Getting Fitchburg Fired Up to live as a Site
• Releasing Dependency on Staff/Pastors
• Multiplying lifeGroups as vibrantly functioning “missional communities”
• Fully integrating a communication’s strategy that effectively engages everyone
• Finding our niche and celebrating our approach to Children’s Ministry that is home-centered, community supported, and non-programmatic

What do you need to focus on over these next 12-36 months?  Could a strategic partner like Auxano Campaigns help you focus?

Create Opportunities and Tools for People

People need their local church to support them as they live out their missional calling in the world.  For example:

We created a simple, yet helpful piece called “Cultivating Spiritual Friendship Guide.”  It has surprised me how a simple tool like this can actually help someone be more confident in living the missional life.

Our Sunday morning “Bible Class” at our Fitchburg Site is called faithBuilders.  We use it as a time to equip and challenge Jesus-followers to live missionally.  We’ve used tools like “I Once Was Lost“, to help people in their relationships with those who are far from God.  We have found that our members don’t really need more information about the Bible as much as they need support to live out in obedience what they have already been given.

What tools would really help your people live on mission?

Capture Your Church’s Uniqueness

You need to stop trying to copy other ministries.  Are you conferenced out, growing weary of attempting to plug-in other leaders’ approaches?  Are you ready to do the exhilarating work of figuring out your mission in your community?   Ready to be set free to live out all that God has designed you to be?

We captured our uniqueness by answering five questions.  You can too!

• What‘s our unique calling in this community? What are we doing?  What have we been uniquely designed to do?
• Why are we doing this?  What’s our motivation?  What unique core practices demonstrate those motivations?
• How are we going to fulfill our unique calling?  What’s our methodology for carrying out our unique calling?
• When are we successful?  How do we know we have accomplished our unique calling?
• Where is God leading us?  What is the vivid and compelling picture of our future, and what milestones must we pursue to get there?

How would you answer these 5 questions?  

Read more from Jeff here.

Tags: Campaign, Communication, Jeff Meyer, Strategy

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Church Communication Hero: Martin Luther King, Jr.

by: Kevin Hendricks

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Martin Luther King Jr. is perhaps the greatest champion for social change in 20th century America. He was also a Baptist minister.

He led a congregation, like many of you.

He sat through church business meetings, like many of you.

He worked to share the story of the gospel with his community, like many of you.

It’s somewhat revisionist and a little demeaning to call his work marketing, but in some small ways it was. He shared a message with his community and nation that ultimately spoke of the gospel story of freedom and redemption. He obviously didn’t use postcards and Facebook and sermon graphics, but he did use marches and rallies and non-violent protest.

More the rest of the story here.

Read more from Kevin here.

Tags: Brand, Communication, Jr., Kevin Hendricks, Martin Luther King

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7 Tips for Communicating Well

by: Brad Lomenick

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Whether you are a seasoned leader, college student, author, professor, CEO, politician, or pastor, we all have to learn to communicate well. Whether we are speaking to thousands, speaking to our staff, giving a report, making a speech, teaching your kids soccer team, or addressing your company, it’s imperative as leaders we know how to communicate. To make our point. To deliver a message.

And communicating is much easier said than done. Actually it’s the saying part and the doing part that make it difficult.

So here are some tips that might make communicating a bit easier for you and a bit more enjoyable for those listening.

1. Keep it Simple. Stay focused on a few key points. And use common sense. If it sounds confusing, it probably is. If it sounds cheesy, it probably is.

2. Tell great stories to validate your points. Unless you are just an amazing communicator, your points probably won’t hold me. So sprinkle in some great stories, good analogies, personal connections, and current events.

3. Inspire action. Push me towards doing something, not just hearing something.

4. Know your audience. Seems simple, but many miss this one. Make constant connections to your audience. If you’re talking to a group of high school students, don’t use the same jokes and intro as you did with the local Lions Club mens pancake breakfast the day before.

5. Create hooks, repetitions, and memorable phrases. I won’t remember all you said, but I might remember something you said. Our current culture is now built around sound bytes- status updates, tweets, texts, etc. So keep it simple, but also keep it short.

6. Connect personally. Look people in the eye. Recognize individuals in the audience and mention their name. Find people in the crowd and speak directly to them. Make eye contact with the entire room, from side to side. If your audience thinks you care about them, then they’ll care about what you are saying.

7. Land the plane on time. Not just ending on time, but actually ending with the right timing. Don’t keep circling above the runway- land it now.

What other tips would you add for communicating well?

Read more from Brad here.

Tags: Attention, Brad Lomenick, Communication

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