Effective preaching is not just about giving people the facts of Scripture. 

Effective preaching is not just about using great stories so that people remember the facts you have given them. 

Effective preaching and teaching must be coupled with application in such a way that the hearer is changed.  

This is our responsibility so that we work hand in hand with the Holy Spirit.

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

As pastors and teachers, words are our stock in trade, but they are often the very things that can trip us up.  

Do you exaggerate?  Kids will catch this immediately and your integrity will be damaged.

Do you commit and not follow through?  Your people will know this and your reputation will be shot.

Do you show up on time?  Businessmen will see this and wonder what else is "off" in your life.

People should be able to count on every word you say, because if they can, they will listen far more closely to the truth you give them from the pulpit.

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

Mothers are the foundation for their children's domestic success or failure - for generations to come!

This is not sexist - this is statistical.  Research shows that mothers, rather than fathers, have a disproportionate impact on their children's future success in the home.  It seems that children take their cues on how to act at home from their mothers.

Moms impact generations with their behavior and attitude.  Hard work to do it right? Absolutely! Worth it? Are you kidding? Who doesn't want kids with strong marriages and their own successful children!! 

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

The stats prove it!

Physically or emotionally absent fathers have kids with much higher rates of pregnancy, drug use, school drop out and the need for counseling.

Only 2% of children whose fathers do not attend church end up attending church themselves.  Only 2%!!

94% of fathers who follow Christ lead their wives and children to Christ.

Though our society would like to say that the impact of fathers and mothers is the same, the statistics prove that the impact of fathers on their children for good or bad is disproportionately greater.

Men - you make a huge difference.  But you must choose the type of difference you make!

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

Losing your audience's attention? Here's the fix.

No matter your topic, or your audience, no one wants to spend all the time in preparation only to look out and see people dozing, talking, texting or moving around. 

Because your topic is so important, you want them with full attention, listening to every word God has given you.

If you will take care of these two areas, I can promise you that you will have them on the edge of their seats. 

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

Here are 3 keys to speak to teens - especially if YOU are "older"!

Let's face it, most of us are older than we want to be.  In fact, my 25 year old son was commenting to me the other day that he didn't know how to communicate to teens the age of my daughter, who is 17.  

So, if you have teens to whom you need to speak, and you want them to sit up, pay attention, listen, remember and be willing to interact when you finish, then these 3 keys are the way to go.

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

We can get caught up with work, ministry, other people, other people's children and forget to foster that close relationship with our own. 

But here's the truth:  if you lose the relationship with your own children then your credibility in life, especially in ministry, is shot.

What do we all want?  We want our children to follow the Lord and impact others for Christ.  But for that to happen, we must be there for them.  They must trust and confide in us as they navigate the waters of growing up and trying to understand what it is to have faith in Christ.

So here are three things you DON'T want to do when you talk with them.

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

Challenge Your Assumptions!

Why do you do what you do? Why do you believe what you believe?

Most of your actions and your beliefs are based on assumptions that you have held for years.  Are those assumptions blessing you and those you serve?

Take the next few days and carefully go through the different areas of your life - marriage, children, family, church, beliefs, business - and ask yourself how you think things are going.  When you have thought it through, ask someone in each arena how they think you are doing - some one who will tell you the truth.

If all is well, then no problem.  However, if your wife tells you your marriage could be better, or your kids are hesitant to talk, or your church isn't growing and lives aren't changing, then ask yourself, "What assumptions do I have that are not working?"  

You may have gotten those assumptions from your parents, a book, something you decided years ago, or from someone else's example, but if they are not...

If you really want to impact the people to whom you speak, then you will want to watch this video.

I thought I'd do something special for you. This is a training video that will teach you just exactly how to capture your audience's attention, so much so that they talk about what you taught them after you are done, remember the message and want it to change their lives.

Isn't that why we do what we do?  Ultimately, it is so that people's lives are changed.  But that can't happen unless they remember what we say, and that won't happen unless we present it in such a way that God can use it.  (Yes, God can use anyone and anything for His glory, but most of the time he counts on us to do the best with what He has given us!)

So, please accept this video as my gift to you!

Blessings,

Dr. Vance

You hear it preached, taught in schools, pushed in seminars, touted in books and urged on parents to encourage it in their kids.  

All that from people who have no idea what is going to happen 1 minute, 1 day, 1 month or 1 year in the future, let alone in eternity.  

I believe it can be one of the most powerful traps in our lives.  One that will lead either to arrogance or despair.   

Don't get me wrong.  I believe in dynamic, strong, confident, incredible people.  All three of my children were raised to be this way and I am married to a woman who is not only godly, but a wise, respected incredible attorney.

The key?  The source from where our confidence flows.

In His Service,

Dr. Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty