Rev. David Gilpin

Senior Minister of Hope Church, Sheffield

 

Behind everything you see is something you don’t see. This book is designed to outline nuggets of wisdom that often remain invisible behind thriving churches and ministries. Mixed with a touch of humour. Top 10 of Everything looks into the Private Word and the Practical World, the Handy Hints World and the Wide World of Knowledge. It gives advice on many subjects that may prove invaluable to established and up-and-coming leaders. Read it all at once or read it one Top Ten at a time. This book can also provide new preachers with an opportunity to ‘borrow’ some of the Tom 10 outlines to create lively and dynamic sermons.

 

Top ten THINGS TO AVOID WHEN SPEAKING PUBLICLY

avoid like the plague

 

Being a good speaker isn’t just about having something to say or about saying it in a really interesting way that leaves people both inspired and challenged. It’s also about not allowing little things to distract from thee main points that you’re trying to make.

 

1.    AVOID USING A LIST OF EXAMPLES FROM THE “BOOK OF ILLUSTRATIONS”

Personal stories are always the best.

 

    2.   AVOID USING EXAGGERATIONS

Be enthusiastic but stay truthful. How many were actually saved at that African mission?

 

3.   AVOID TAKING POT-SHOTS AT YOUR ANTAGONISTS

      Don’t preach at people – preach to them.

 

4.   AVOID SWEARING

Apart from the obvious, watch out for culture differences in the meaning of some words.

 

5.   AVOID TOO MUCH REPETITION STAND UP.

       Speak up. Shut up.

 

6.   AVOID USING THE EXPRESSIONS “HALLELUJAH”

and “Praise the Lord” to fill in the blanks while you think of what to say next. Religious jargon is a putter-offer.

 

 7.  AVOID SHARING STUFF OVER WHICH YOU HAVEN’T GOT THE VICTORY

Testimony is what you get when you’ve succeeded at the test.

 

     8.   AVOID SHARING SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR LOVED ONE

 that they just didn’t want revealing

.

9.   AVOID THE PEACOCK WALK

two steps forward, two steps back. Try standing on the same spot, even when excited

 

10.  AVOID ALL OTHER FUNNY MANNERISMS

Ask the youth to imitate you and you’ll notice the stuff you do that’s distracting from the message.