Its time once again to do my impression of somebody who talks for a living.
I do in both of my jobs. Not only do my wife and I pastor two churches locally in two languages, but Im also the director of the Dolores Chamber of Commerce. I love both jobs.
In both of these capacities for myself, and in the life of anybody who wants to get ahead or be successful, we must not only be able to communicate but also be able to connect with those we talk with. There is a lot of truth to the statement that we can probably all quote, Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
What Im about to share is vital in our walk with the Lord in order to have an effective and fruitful witness.
You can be an excellent communicator when it comes to sharing a lot of facts, but Jesus Christ connected with the people he both discipled and ministered to. Everybody communicates, but few connect.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment was Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and all your mind. The Second Commandment is like it. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Notice how we are mentioned last. Connecting is never about us. Its always about the person or group you are communicating with. If you want to connect with others, you have to get over yourself. You have to change your focus from inward to outward.
Internationally known speaker Zig Ziglar said, If you will first help people get what they want, they will help you get what you want.
That is one of the big focuses in our church and a huge part of our mission statement and vision. Our vision is to help each person fulfill their destiny and purpose for the Kingdom of God. Everybody has a calling, everybody has gifts and talents that are to be used for Gods glory. Not for my glory or Foursquares glory (our church affiliation) or any one persons glory, but for the glory of Jesus Christ.
Jesus shared parables and life situations that spoke to people where they were at, spoke to things they could relate to, and more than likely had personal experiences with.
Whatever is inside of you, whether positive or negative, will eventually come out when you are communicating with others. The proverb, As a man thinks in his heart, so is he, really is true.
If people feel that you really care about them then they will be much more likely to listen to what you have to say. As somebody observed: People will not always remember what you said. They will not always remember what you did. But they will always remember how you made them feel.
Stuart Hanold and his wife Liliana pastor the Cortez Family Worship Center Foursquare Church and Vida En Victoria Spanish Church. Stuart is head jail chaplain for the Montezuma County Detention Center, and a member of the Montezuma County Ministerial Alliance. He is also co-host of the Freddy Hall TV Show every other week on channel 32.1 from Dove Creek TV. Spanish worship services are broadcast from 7:45-8:45 a.m. and the English services are broadcast from 8:45-9:45 a.m. every Sunday morning on Dove Creek TV.
