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How To Wake Up From Your Field of Dreams, Part 2 of 4
How To Wake Up From Your Field of Dreams
In the previous post{.mfn-link.mfn-link-1} we talked about getting to point in your written communication quickly. We exposed the false assumption we can have as planters that “If I write it, they will read it.” This is not an accurate or helpful assumption. So how do we wake up from that dream and improve the focus of written communication, given that you are communicating through the written word all the time as a church planter? Here is the first of three simple tips to get to the point faster. Incorporate this tip this week in an area of your public written communication, like a bulletin announcement, a church-wide email or newsletter, Facebook Page post, City topics, etc.
The 1st of 3 Simple Tips
1. Move your main point/action to the beginning of the sentence.
Examples
Notice the two sentences below. The first enacts this tip and places the main point at the beginning of the sentence. The second example demonstrates the reverse, forcing the reader to talk a long walk before getting to the main point. Sometimes you may want to intentionally hold the main point until the end, but your default should be placing it at the very beginning of the sentence.
Gain clarity quickly by pushing the main point or action to the beginning of the sentence when communicating important information to our busy church family, clamoring for their attention, and trying to figure out how to write as loudly as possible without shouting—nobody likes a shouter.
When communicating important information to our busy church family, clamoring for their attention, and trying to figure out how to write as loudly as possible without shouting—nobody likes a shouter—we can improve clarity by pushing the main point or action to the beginning of the sentence.
Here is another example of a typical announcement about baptism.
Action buried at the end…
On Sunday afternoon April 20th at John & Suzy’s house our church family will gather for a baptism celebration. If you are a follower of Jesus and you are interested in taking this step of faith, please sign up at the welcome table after the gathering.
Action moved to the front…
Sign up to be baptized at the welcome table if you are interested in taking this step of faith as a follower of Jesus. We will celebrate together Sunday April 20th at John & Suzy’s house.
Bonus Example
I employed this tip in this very article. I wrote this sentence above first…
“Given that you are communicating through the written word all the time as a church planter, how do we wake up from that dream and improve the focus of written communication?”
Then I employed this tip and changed that same sentence to…
“So how do we wake up from that dream and improve the focus of our written communication, given that you are communicating through the written word all the time as a church planter?”
Tip Shorcut: Subject & Verb go first.
Confession
I frequently struggle to do this in my own written communication. In fact, I originally wrote the previous sentence as “In my own written communication, I can find myself struggling with this concept.” You are not chasing a New York Times Bestseller endorsement. You are simply working to serve your people better.
Good News
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep…even those sheep that stink at writing. When Jesus refers to us as sheep, there is not an asterisk that says church planters are a pay grade above sheep. Our poor writing may stem from our own laziness, our business, our excuses, our lack of skill, or any combination of causes. Regardless of the root, Jesus willingly and lovingly lays down his life for his sheep…even those sheep that stink at writing.
Additionally, Jesus cares about his sheep that he has entrusted under your leadership. He loves growing his under-shepherds as you care for his sheep. He can and will help you communicate in ways that serve others better.
PS If you happen to be an award-winning writer and a church planter, welcome to the sheep pin. There is no asterisk for you either. You are a beloved sheep…not a beloved author/church planter.
What Say You
What tips or tricks have you used to help your written communication?
Whether it is small or big, please share because I would be willing to bet a ton of [your] money that it will help someone else.
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