9 Tips for Public Appearances

Preparation is key, whether or not you end up using your material. At the invitation of an area DJ, I was invited to be interviewed on Q90 FM (90.1 FM in the Fox Cities/Green Bay area). The DJ, Dave Fiorazo, has recently joined our tribe at Christ's Church of the Valley, and he wants to do whatever he can to promote what our ministry is doing. And it's great.

The interview coincided with the Q's semi-annual fundraising "Q Drive."  They use this opportunity to solicit call-in pledges to raise the money required to operate the radio station for six-months at a time.  Because of this, even though I was on the show for one hour, I really wasn't able to say very much-- but I was ready to do so. My communications coordinator put together some questions and answers and printed it out so that I could coherently discuss what it is that we do when we do.  While I couldn't get through all of them, I was prepared (and am now prepared for future opportunities) to share about what God is doing through our ministry.

For you, questions to have ready to go at any time (some of these can be on your website, but others should be more current):

• What are you called?
• Where do you meet?
• When do you meet?
• What are your emphases? (discipleship, fun, outreach, games, safety and security, worship, playing, etc.)
• What does a usual meeting look like (lay out the event schedule)?
• What have you been preaching/teaching on recently?
• What is your website?

Tips

1. When time is limited, or you don't want to disrupt the momentum of what God is already doing (as it was for me in this instance), drop the website URL as frequently as possible.

2. Don't be obnoxious. Humility goes a long way (this is a lesson I have to re-learn time and time again).

3. Be yourself. Unless you are obnoxious. In that case, really go for it. When you find yourself in a situation from which there is no escape, the only option is to go even deeper.

4. Be helpful! Support whatever effort you are contributing to. If it's a fundraiser for a radio station (hypothetically), don't go asking for money for your own organization.

5. Prepare! Even if you're great at winging it, don't let all your time expire without doing what you came there to do.

6. Tell everyone you can think of about the opportunity, and recruit those closest to you to do the same thing. Ideally you don't want to be self-promoting... so get other people to do the promotion on your behalf.

7. Glorify God in your actions, speech, and relationships with others.

8. Be gracious and thankful (don't just act gracious and thankful). These can be wonderful opportunities, so avoid any sense of entitlement.

9. Follow up with a thank you to the host and those who invited you. Be classy and include a nice 8x10 autographed picture. Just kidding.

What tips do you have?

On Their Own

The question may come to a youth pastor or leader, the shepherd, of "when to let go?"  When has discipleship set in?  When are the training wheels off?  If it is a matter of sooner or later, I would say later, not sooner.

 

Retreat Tips

Retreat Tips

Don't avoid retreats.  It's very easy for a pastor or a church to become self-involved.  It is important to look up and out to meet with other believers and fellowship, worship God together, and pray for each other.  When at the retreat, contrive ways for your tribe to mix it up and mingle with other tribes in attendance.  Challenge them to sit in different spots for each chapel service.  Challenge them to sit with other groups during at least one meal.  Challenge the older students to "adopt" a younger student for the event, having them look out for the younger ones and encourage them.

Update Twitter/Facebook with blurbs and pictures of what's going on so that parents at home have some connection.  Use this ability to solicit prayers so that the greater congregation has a connection to the students.

As the leader, take advantage of the time with other leaders.  Ask about their gatherings.  Talk about books you are reading or podcasts you listen to.  Talk about fundraisers, outreaches, gathering formats.  What are your students studying?  You might learn a great idea of how to accomplish something that has been a challenge for you.  It's really easy to start spouting off all of your great ideas.  Instead, really work on your listening.  Let God pour into you through others.

As the leader, set the example for your tribe.  When something needs to be done (chairs moved, garbage picked up, etc.), be one of the first people to jump up and do it.  If you bring other leaders from your tribe, require them to do that same.  These are the examples of being servants that build credibility.  If there are option breakout sessions, make them required for your leaders and students.  If there are no breakout sessions scheduled, have your leaders put together something for a daily meeting with your students.


Continued...

If you don't have a notebook, get one

If you don't have a paper notebook, get one. The benefit of seeing your thoughts written out serve to reinforce those ideas in your memory, as well as give you a place to reference your ideas in the future. Write down your thoughts on ministry, events, and prayers. Write down whatever is on your mind. In the future you can transfer these to a computer note taker so that you can search, or just leave them alone.

Notebook tips:

• Use a small notebook so that it's portable.
• Always have a pen with you too. You can't write without a utensil.
• Date your entries.
• Re-read your entries.
• Don't lose it