CLARITY

PREACHING + COMMUNICATING FOR CHURCH LEADERS

Being the Church

Ep.4 | Interview with Chad Moore

Hosted by Craig Smith

IN THIS EPISODE

  • A small introduction Chad to Sun Valley Community Church in Arizona | 1:23
  • Called from the womb to the tomb | 3:17
  • Some things come naturally, and other things are cultivated over time, like The Gift of Clarity and The Art of Compressions | 9:41
  • How are we continuing to reach an increasingly, Biblically, illiterate culture? The difference between a doctor and a scientist | 15:28
  • The role of creativity in communication and how it’s fostered  | 20:31
  • Adjusted to the model of being on-screen at some campus locations for ‘multi-site’ | 26:09
  • Advice for new preachers and communicating God’s truth well | 30:57

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ABOUT ABOUT KNOWING GOD

It’s very simple. In fact, Jesus spells it right out for us in the verse below! Often times we try to over complicate what it means to be a Christian; this set rules we have to follow. But Jesus didn’t come so that we can check off a list every day and get a pat on the head at the end. He came so that we could have life and life to the full. Behaviour directly affects belief. When we are here, and trying to resemble the characteristics of God, we are pursuing knowing Him more. That’s what it’s all about! The stories, the long chapters in the Bible are boiled down to relationships, and what it means to truly know our saviour.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. | John 17:3

2 | ALWAYS KNOW WHO YOU’RE TALKING TO

When you’re preparing a sermon, the weekend announcements, or even just a pitch to your congregation it’s important to keep your audience in mind. This can seem like a no-brainer, something that sounds like it was recycled from speech class in high school, but let’s take it a step further. Make sure that you’re hanging around people who are lost, make sure you’re having conversations with your friends who maybe don’t attend services on the weekends (the Biblically “illiterate”), and immerse yourself in familiar territory for your audience. You want to address beautiful, Biblical truth in a way that’s culturally relevant, in language that your local mechanic or small business owner can understand. The further we get from, “Christian-ese” and the closer we directly address our audience, the sooner we can reach people. Whenever you’re writing a message, constantly ask yourself, “Is this helpful”?

3 | YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO OPEN A PRESENT IF IT’S WRAPPED WELL

And that’s creativity summed up in your messages. We really encourage you to love first and lead second, but always do both. Creativity is all about loving your people, it’s adding something in there so they’ll be excited to receive God’s word every weekend. It draws them in! We were made by an enormously creative God, and he loves when we hone in on our own creativity. You should pepper in personal story as much as you can. The vulnerability you show in your, “Not how I got it right, but how I got it wrong and I’ve struggled but ‘this’ will help you too”. Draw your people in and love them, while giving them an “upper-cut” of truth! Creativity forms an authenticity in your delivery and content that lands right in people’s sweet-spots. Foster your creativity because it makes God happy, draws your audience in, and breathes life into what you’re communicating. It doesn’t have to be some big, extravagant thing. You can, and should, work your own creativity into the nooks and crannies of what you’re delivering. It should ooze out of the finer details that so that it pushes past the ears and works its way into the heart. Remember though, it’s not creativity for creativity’s sake! It should be for a purpose, to deliver the points of your message to those listening.

4 | 3 HELPFUL TIPS FOR BEING PREACHING, WHILE BEING ON SCREEN AT OTHER LOCATIONS

1 // No one passed the fifth row is looking at your on stage, they’re looking at the side screens so look into the camera and use your face.
2 // “Talk-back” is helpful. When you’re reading from Scripture, have everyone read out loud with you. Look for participation, even though you’re not in the room.
3 // Have people stand at the end during prayer, i.e. – “If you’re in need of prayer, please stand.” Then have the people standing around them, pray for them. Then, the preaching isn’t just about content. It’s about leadership, it’s about ‘experience’, people can have “that moment” with Jesus, even though you’re on a screen.

SHOW NOTES

Welcome to our final episode of the 2018 year! Today’s guest is Chad Moore, the Lead Pastor from Sun Valley Community Church in Arizona. Chad is an amazing communicator and a guy that really thinks a lot about what he does when he’s preaching, and who he’s reaching. He’s very intentional in planning out he thoughts, how they’re going to be received, and how he can work in comic book references, “trojan horsed” and spiritual road signs! He’s funny, he’s a great friend and an even better speaker.

Tune in as Craig and Chad discuss what modern churches are marching towards, what it means to BE the church, and how to preach in such a way that creates culture, and moves “vision” forward.

WHERE ELSE YOU CAN FIND US

You can also find us in the following locations, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Make sure to subscribe and leave us a review!