Wednesday, August 20, 2008

3 Things to Make Sure You Tell the Retreat Speaker - Joshua Griffins

This was "borrowed" from Josh Griffins' blogsite, http://morethandodgeball.com/.


We’ve had some great experiences with camp and retreat speakers we’ve brought in - but as I’ve thought more about it I realized that there are a few things we should tell speakers up from before they take the stage at the weekend service or discipleship retreat. An outside speaker is just that - an outsider - why not give him/her some inside information to help them be more successful.

Here’s 3 things that I’ll be sure to tell our next speaker:

Give them the inside tip on the history.

What were the teaching series that preceeded this event? What is the direction you’ve been taking the students and how does this event play a part in it? Was the teaching time successful last time you had an outside speaker, and why? What are some areas your ministry / students are struggling in the outside voice can address?

Give them the inside tip on style.

What format and teaching style are the students used to hearing? How does technology play a role in your communication style? What should the speaker wear? What is the typical length of a teaching lesson? What is considered normal, and are we OK with doing something outside of that? What is the typical translation used in teaching? Are students used to carrying a Bible and looking up passages?

Give them the inside tip on the audience

Who is going to be in the audience? What is success for the teaching time? Is there a large percentage of students who haven’t accepted Christ? Are students forced to be there? Who is represented in the audience? What is the spiritual depth of the typical student in attendance? Are there any sensitive issues / topics that the speaker should be aware of? Do we have the resources and volunteers to deal with the response a particular type of talk could generate?


JG

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