Book Review: Communicating for a Change by Andy Stanley

This book is a must read for anybody who communicates for a living, especially pastors. Andy Stanley literally goes through all of the principles he uses while constructing and preaching a sermon. This is every pastors dream book! The first half of the book is actually a story written by Lane Jones, one of Andy’s campus directors, about a pastor who connects with a communication mentor who runs him through some great communication principles. The second half of the book was written by Andy and consists of all of the practical things that communicators need to do before and during a speaking engagement.

I think the last paragraph sums up the importance of learning to be a great communicator:

“The church needs your voice and your insight. As does your community and the woorld. For that reason, never stop growing and developing as a communicator. Find what works. Find what works for you. And everytime you have an opportunity to communicate God’s Word, communicate for a change!”

Here were some of my key takeaways:

• You’ve got to care more for the people in the audience than the person on the platform. Then our presentations will take on real significance. Until we do, communication is really all about us.

• Determine your goal, pick a point, create a map, internalize the message, engage your audience, find your voice. start all over.

• Our goal as communicators should be life change.
  

• We need one point messages – the biggest challenge won’t be finding the one idea, but eliminating the other three

• You need to have your message internalized to the point where you could do a 5 minute version from memory
  

• The goal isn’t to cover everything in your notes, it is to take your audience on a journey with you

• Having too much to say has almost the same effect as saying nothing

• Presentation trumps information… Presentation matters. A lot.
  

• Your first responsibility is to pose a question your audience wants answered, create tension that needs resolved, or point to a mystery that they have been unable to solve.

• “Being who you are” is not an excuse for poor communication.

• Clarity will trump style every time

Final Grade: A+ (Must read)    Buy it here!

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