A few days ago, I shared three common characteristics of a bad communicator. Today I want to look at six of the good qualities.

Since stepping out of youth ministry into a preaching role, I’ve found myself digesting everything I can find on preaching and communicating. While I will be the first to tell you that I still have a long way to go to become the communicator that I want to be, I have found that preaching every week is pretty incredible, and I enjoy it immensely.

In my reading of books, blogs, and articles on the topic of preaching or public speaking, I’ve identified several characteristics of a good communicator. I’m sure there are many more, but these six seemed to jump out at me.

A good communicator asks questions to reel his listeners back in

One of the deficiencies of our insta-society is our inability to stay focused for very long on any one thing. This seems to be less of a problem with much of the older generations, but is becoming increasingly true for younger people. In order to combat this, a good communicator must do things that will draw his listeners back in. Often this works best by asking questions that capture our attention and make us think.

There are other ways to do this as well. As a youth minister, a crazy action or something of the sort from the stage would serve to accomplish this purpose, but that’s not always possible in a sermon.

A good communicator is a friend to everybody

A good communicator has the ability to project the image that he is a friend to each and every one of his listeners. In many settings, the speaker may not ever have the chance to meet personally many of his listeners, although in a church setting this is much easier to accomplish. Whether or not you are a friend to everyone isn’t the point. Making your listeners understand that you are their friend is.

The way to do this best is to first identify who is in your audience. And then speak directly to where they are. If many of your listeners are sports fans, using sports illustrations can help you make a stronger connection with them.

A good communicator uses illustrations well

Illustrations can make or break the point you are trying to get across to your listeners. I’ve already experienced illustrations in my short preaching career that derailed immediately. And sometimes, it can be difficult to get out of that rut. But using the right illustrations, using them at the right time, can add punch to the point you are making.

A good communicator displays passion

Have you ever listened to a public speaker or a preacher who failed to capture your attention? It’s probably because they lacked passion. But think about the best sermons or other messages you’ve heard. You probably connected well because they communicated their passion clearly. It’s hard to stay unexcited when the speaker is passionate about his topic. Passion is contagious. But false passion is easily identified and credibility is destroyed.

A good communicator is informative and brilliant

Knowing your subject is essential to speaking well about it. No one wants to listen to someone who doesn’t really know anything about whatever it is they are talking about. But the communicator who knows his topic well is seen as an expert. People connect and listen, because he speaks with a sense of authority and knowledge.

A good communicator speaks with security and confidence

Along the same lines, knowing your subject well allows you to speak with confidence. You are able to be free from notes or outlines that can be restrictive. I’ve noticed that my listeners respond the best when I speak with the most confidence. Speaking with security and confidence, knowing that I know my subject matter will, will result in developing a deeper connection with my listeners that otherwise.

In short, all great communicators connect with their listeners. In order to connect, you need to know a few things. You need to know your target audience. You need to know your material. And you need to know your bottom line, the main point you want to share.

As you start growing in these ways, your communication skills will grow stronger. And the better you are as a communicator, the better you will be as a connector.

The better you are as a connector, the more people will get your message.

And, as a minister, what better message is there than the one we are called to share?

What are some other characteristics of a good communicator? What have you learned to help you communicate with greater impact? You can leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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