Clear as Crystal

I just picked up a book called The Shape of Preaching: Theory and Practice in Sermon Design by Dennis M. Cahill. As I leafed through the pages in the local bookstore, I was immediately encouraged by the title of one of the chapters. It is "Identifying the Sermon Focus." If the book has nothing else of value, this chapter alone will be worth the price. Focus is THE KEY to great communication. Unfortunately it also the missing ingredient in most sermons and speeches being given today.

At the beginning of chapter 7, on page 91, Cahill quotes one of the heroes of Ken Davis & The Dynamic Communicators Workshops. J.H. Jowett who lived form 1864-1923 and wrote prolifically on theology and preaching, wrote the most succinct key to FOCUSED COMMUNICATION I've ever come across.

Jowett says, "I have a conviction that no sermon is ready for preaching, not ready for writing out, until we can express its theme in a short, pregnant sentence as clear as crystal. I find the getting of that sentence is the hardest, the most exacting, and the most fruitful labour in my study.

One sentence, "as clear as crystal." That's focus! If you can't express the theme, or purpose, or objective of your speech in one sentence, you are not ready to deliver your speech and, Jowett maintains not even ready to write it out!

If we're honest, many of us would admit that our sermons, speeches or presentations are about as clear as mud. But there is help. The Dynamic Communicators Workshops has over 30 years of experience helping communicators become as CLEAR AS CRYSTAL! Find out more here.

More on The Shape of Preaching: Theory and Practice in Sermon Design when I finish the book...

Comments

[Normal Rockstar]

The blog is looking great, Dan. Keep it up!