In his book Conformed to His Image (Zondervan, 2001), Kenneth Boa  stated that we are often tempted “to focus more on causes than on Christ and thus to emphasize activity for the Lord more than intimacy with him” (p. 267).  Programs and activities are fine, but without an overarching commitment to doing them for the glory of the Lord and the building of His kingdom, they are done in vain.

In an attempt to take every step in the direction of holiness, I have found it beneficial to daily offer up the prayer of Jabez. Bruce Wilkinson popularized these powerful words, which exemplify a total commitment to a life of God’s leading. “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain! (1 Chr. 4:10, KJV).

By practicing the presence of Jesus, as Boa put it (p. 274) through a constant recongition that He is our master, we are able to transition from doing to being. No longer is each day represented by a to-do checklist. Instead, we learn to be diligent, be purposeful, and be a working work in progress.

I was struck by His closeness, for with the only distraction being my reeling head, I used it to thank Him for the way His providential hand guides and directs the events of my life. Big things, yes, but little things too. Thanks that I got to share some laughs with so and so. Thanks for prying me out of bed in time to use my day productively. Thanks for this, help me with that. It was easy to talk to Him because I do it almost constantly throughout the day. Yet it was hard to take the time to devote especially to my Creator.

I his book The Life You’ve Always Wanted (Zondervan, 2002), John Ortberg said that “multiple-tasking” is a symptom of hurry sickness (p. 80), for which one of the cures is solitude (p. 84). It dawned on me that I really ought to reorganize my commitments and work efficiently on the things that matter most. Yet I think my prescription for an unhurried life only partially involves solitude. Not only do I need to spend more time alone with God, I realized, but I need to spend more time with the people of God. One thing about online classes is that it is easy to be busy and lonely simultaneously.

This course has greatly increased my understanding of how to prepare for a verbal presentation. The CCCD (choose, create, coordinate, and deliver) process is a valuable tool for becoming an effective communicator because it is logical, easy to remember, and can be seamlessly transformed to fit a variety of needs.

Rather than having to start from scratch when preparing a speech, I can now turn to the CCCD worksheets (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 347-48). The sample presentations demonstrate how to customize the format with specific content. By working each area of the speech–introduction, body, transitions, and conclusion–separately, the process becomes manageable rather than overwhelming.

I especially benefited from the discussion on selecting support materials. The authors stated “few people will sit still long enough to listen to anyone who…doesn’t use interesting and engaging graphics to support the verbal message” (p. 76). In sharing the benefits of different types of support, the authors provided a helpful guide to rounding out an excellent presentation.

Because I have grown in my understanding of preparing a presentation, I can’t wait to put CCCD to the test. I feel much more confident as a speaker now than I did before this course. It has also taught me a few minor points to remember as I speak: pauses can be beneficial (p. 140), eye contact is powerful (p. 142), and ethical behavior must always be a priority (p. 183-84). As communicators, our job is to interact with others in an efficient and admirable manner. As Christians, our responsibility is to to make sure our thoughts, actions, and words are pleasing to Yahweh (Philippians 4:8). As Christian communicators our calling is to integrate the two.

Seth Willard

References:

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Holy Bible, New International Version

Thoughts from the Discussion Board

In chapter four of our textbook, the authors discussed the importance of listening in the workplace. They opened with the following statement, which sadly rings true: “We don’t seem to have time to listen; we’re too busy talking, and if we aren’t talking, we’re formulating what we are going to say next” (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 99).

Communication is all about talking, right? Well if talk is all that matters and listening is irrelevant, where do all the words go? To empty ears? I suppose so, which is why people need to view communication as an exchange rather than a one way street. The Listening Continuum (p. 100) was helpful in formulating my appreciation of listening’s role in communication. It shows the progression from hearing to informational listening to critical listening to self-reflexive listening ultimately to conscious listening. At the final stage, the “listener becomes open to the speaker’s point of view.”

Through the suggestions for practicing conscious listening (p. 111), I have become a more mindful communicator. I have learned to talk less, listen more, and assess situations before jumping in with a solution. This is in line with Paul’s exhortation that all should be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19, NIV). According to the textbook, “conscious listening transforms us from individuals into relational partners or a collective group moving forward together” (p. 110). Truly, one of the keys to effective communication is found in being a conscious listener.

Seth Willard

References:

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Holy Bible, New International Version

Thoughts from the Discussion Board

In describing the rational/emotional strategy for presenting a persuasive case at work, our textbook makes the following statement: “The rational/emotional speaker brings the audience to a particular action by showing them their needs, explaining how those needs can be satisfied, and helping them visualize how a product or service can meet those needs” (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 329).

Based on what I have learned, it appears that this strategy is used in a majority of life situations. Sales-people use this strategy to convince us that we need their product. We use it toward one another to convince others that our idea will be the most profitable, the most fun, and the most rewarding. Many pastors even use the rational/emotional strategy to convince people of their need for Biblical teaching and the benefits of a Christ-focused life.

When using this strategy, however, a word of caution is in order. It is important to avoid getting so carried away emotionally that we start to make untrue claims just because they sound good. “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare” warns Proverbs 21:6 (NIV). Let us not exploit the rational/emotional strategy for our own profit. In the long run, exaggeration is never worth it.

Seth Willard

References:

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Holy Bible, New International Version

Thoughts from the Discussion Board

Goodall and Goodall tell the story of a vice-president named George and his uncooperative employee, Ivan. George chooses the “brutal” method of persuasion to make known to Ivan his last two options: accept a new position or leave the company (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 319).

Understandably, Ivan is miffed at George for confronting him, and balks at the move, which could be viewed as a demotion. Yet he chooses to stay. The textbook then poses the question, Is it ethical for Ivan to stay with the company if he doesn’t intend to accept the changes graciously? (p. 321). In my opinion, if Ivan does not intend to have a good attitude in his mew position, it would be wrong for him to stay.

Ephesians 6:5 states “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ” (NIV). In today’s world, this verse applies to employees and laborers in all industries. We are not told to simply obey, but to obey with the right attitude: respect, fear (of the consequences of failing) and sincerity of heart. If our heart is not in something, it would be best to do otherwise. Ivan should evaluate the new position to see how well he would do in it. Then, if he decides to stay, he must accept the changes graciously and never look back.

Seth Willard

References:

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

Holy Bible, New International Version

Thoughts from the Discussion Board

Essay prompt: What is the difference between secular humanism’s attempt to master nature with science, technology, and economic activity and the biblical mandate to take authority over and develop the creation? Please give reasons for your answer.

Walsh and Middleton state that “The dominant Western world view has rejected the authority of God and gods and has affirmed the self-norming autonomy of humankind. Yet in spite of its humanistic and secular essence, Western culture has, in fact, served other gods, many of them–good, created things which we have idolatrously absolutized and religiously pursued in the hope of ultimate fulfillment” (Walsh and Middleton, 1984, p. 131).

Secular humanism, while rejecting gods in the traditional sense of the word, still enslaves its people to idolatrous pursuits. Foremost among them is the “unholy trinity” of  “scientism, technicism and economism” (p. 132). “Economism: the golden head” represents the greed of “profit maximization and economic growth” prevalent in our society (p. 138-9). Secular humanists seek to master nature for their own benefit.

This motive differs greatly from the biblical mandate to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28, NIV). Yahweh gave humankind dominion over the earth so that His plan of populating the planet with people who love Him would become a reality. The fact that Adam and Eve abandoned God’s perfect creation for their own selfish desires (ironically, to be like God [Genesis 3:5]) does not retract the mandate, nor make it less right. This action only makes it necessary for Yahweh to put in place a redemptive plan for the reconciliation of people to Him.

Yahweh Himself said to take authority over and develop the creation, but the human tendency was and still is to exploit that privilege for personal gain. Here, we all fall short of the best course of action, but while Christians repent and change, the adherents of secular humanism celebrate their self-instituted freedom from God. In truth, they do so while failing to recognize the gods they really serve.

Seth Willard

References:

Holy Bible, New International Version

Walsh, B. J., and Middleton, J. R. (1984). The Transforming Vision. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Hearing the word credibility causes butterflies to start fluttering in my stomach. A dismal public-speaking experience caused me to realize the importance of relying on the credibility of others to build one’s own rapport. I used to believe that referencing others demonstrated incredibility on the part of the speaker: if he has to use other people’s ideas, he himself must not know much about the subject. Finally, I learned that the opposite is true: by backing up his information with the words of others, a speaker demonstrates an educated knowledge of the subject (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 293).

Reading through our textbook’s section on establishing credibility, two subpoints caught my attention: education and expertise. The authors say to “List the workshops, seminars, courses, or training you have attended…Talk about your length of time in a particular field…List any panels you have participated in…” (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 288). At first, I assumed the authors were saying to recite all of this information during the introduction of a speech. However, this could be boring and offensive to listeners.

We need to make sure that in establishing credibility we are careful to avoid boasting of our achievements. James 4:16 (NIV) states “As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.” Instead, as I discovered later on in the chapter, we should list our credibility for our own benefit as we prepare, then incorporate one or two points into the speech. For instance, “Today I will share the information I have gathered from the modified 401(k) seminars and workshops I have attended over the past six months” (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 306). Mention is made of the seminars and a time frame, but the boring boasting of details is effectively avoided.

Seth Willard

References:

Holy Bible, New International Version

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.

PS: I was thinking about the word incredible and how it evolved from a statement of disdain to one of unbelief to one of praise. I can imagine ancient debaters booing a heretical speakers with cries of “Incredible! He does not know what he says!”

To us, the word can mean either “I can’t believe it, it’s so hard to fathom!” or “Excellent, you did incredible!”

Notice the difference: now, we may strive to have someone tell us we did incredible!

Thoughts from the Discussion Board

In the section on developing effective leadership strategies, our textbook offers the following piece of advice: “It is the task of the team leader to build understanding among team members. Whether in meetings or through other means of communication, a team leader should ask the team members for points of agreement. The team leader then uses those points of consensus to develop a plan, which helps the team to progress” (Goodall and Goodall, 2006, p. 261).

As someone who has overseen the planning and preparation of two seminars as well as led numerous club meetings, I find these comments true, but challenging. It can be hard to remember that even though I have ideas, they are not always the best for the group. A team leader’s job is to draw out the ideas of others, putting all options on the table to be discussed and decided upon as a team.

This concept of a unified team reminds me of some similar advice given by Paul to the Corinthian church: “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10, NIV). Groups consisting of more than one person (all-inclusive) do not agree by default. So it is up to you and I, as team leaders, to guide the group toward a unified consensus.

Seth Willard

References:

Holy Bible, New International Version

Goodall, H. L., Jr., and Goodall, S. (2006). Communicating in Professional Contexts. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth.