Originality. A MUST for influence and impact! If you don't have it, you are in danger of simply repeating what everyone else says and doing what everyone else does.  Through the simple process of challenging yourself to see things with a different lens, you can grip people with original thought.

HOWEVER originality also gets a lot of push back from your people if not done right.  They don't want to think differently, they don't want to have their assumptions challenged.  But challenge them is part of your job description.  It is what Christ did.

Here are 3 things you must know and how to overcome people's push back for maximum impact.

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty

When we preach the word of God we do so most often appealing to the intellect of our audience.  We want them to study, II Timothy 2:15, reason, Acts 17:2 and then make a decision for change, either to stop doing something wrong they are doing or start doing something good that they aren't doing.  

And yet there was a reason why Jesus used story telling constantly in his ministry.  Jesus knew that while he could give people reasons, which he did, they would not make decisions until they "felt" like it, or until their emotions were involved.  As a result, he used stories, the greatest tool for tapping into people's emotions.

A few years ago, neuroscientist, Antonio Demasio, made a groundbreaking discovery. He studied people with damage in the part of the brain where emotions are generated. While they seemed normal in most instances, they were not able to feel emotions. As a result, they all had something peculiar in common: they...

How do you accomplish the impossible?

God's power

AND

discipline.  

Here's 3 steps to get discipline in your own life and the 3 steps you must teach others in order for them to have a disciplined life.

Many years ago Richard Foster wrote the classic The Celebration Of Discipline.  It was not a book that I wanted to read.  I thought it would be laborious, judgmental, frustrating and leave me with a terrible case of "I'm a loser".   

None of that occurred.  In fact, the book became one of my favorite.  A book that pointed the way to freedom, power and accomplishment in life.  

These 3 steps are the start.  Without these three, you will never engage in a disciplined life and without that type of life you cannot hope to accomplish what God has called you to do and be.

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance

Vision.  Not yours for them.  

But giving people the ability to have their own vision.  

This is THE GREATEST gift you can give to your people.  I promise.  It will change their lives and the lives of all who know them - forever.

But, it is not only a gift, but it is your responsibility.  You must paint such a vivid picture of how their lives and the lives of all those who know them, would change.  How it would change if they were willing to live a life filled with God's vision.

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty 

We all like to think that we can keep our audiences spellbound with our preaching and teaching.  But, no matter how good you are, no matter how many years you've been teaching, there will be times when you look down into the audience and see people nodding off, distracted, whispering or surfing the net.

To continue the way you have been going means that you waste their time and yours because frankly they are not going to remember anything more that you say.  

What can you do?

Here are 4 very simple methods for regaining your audience.  4 simple ways to go from boring to "What did he just say?!!"

May you use these to more effectively communicate our Lord's gospel.

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty

We've read it.  

We've taught it.

But do we actually realize the power of humility.  Demonstrated humility.  Humility in action.

I was in Punjab, working with about 150 pastors and what the Lord led me to do changed everything.

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty

How many times do we allow our surroundings to dictate our emotions, perception and attitudes?  

And yet, if we look closely, the only reason the problems and garbage of life so impact us is because we are making life all about us - our comfort, our desires, our expectations.  The result is a frustrating and self focused life.  The cure?  simply changing our filters through which we view our circumstances.  

If we are willing to change our filters we will change our lives.

Jesus thought this was so important that with just a few hours left to live, he didn't just teach the disciples, he demonstrated it.  

If Jesus thought servant leadership was that important, I think it is fair to step back and say, we teach it, preach it but do we live it each and every day.  I know that it is not something that we can take for granted.  Our society, our humanity, everything around us screams that being a servant is crazy, yet Christ, at death's door challenged the heart of the world's system.

Are we willing to take a long hard and honest look at ourselves and ask, "Are we being obedient to the calling and example of Christ?"

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty

The message doesn't begin when we get up front.  Hours before we start to speak, these three habits form the foundation for significant impact.  If you over look these three, you will be blindsided often.

Blessings,

Vance

Dr. Vance Hardisty

You've finished your message, you have a line of people who want to speak with you but, there is that person who seems to go on and on, or you are exhausted, or there are guests and visitors that you should meet.

How can you deal with the reasons that we as pastors tend to use that cause us not to give that person who is in front of us our 100% undivided attention?  There is a solution - a powerful one.

Blessings,

Vance