Talk To Who Isn’t There

Not long ago, I listened to an old political speech from John F. Kennedy. Though he was speaking to human beings in Washington, D.C., he kept addressing other nations and the leaders of NATO.

Kennedy knew the speech would have an impact beyond the room, so he was careful to construct his words to have greater meaning.

He didn’t just talk to the people in front of him. He addressed the broader audience.

If you want your message to have a greater impact, speak to who isn’t there. I know the people in the pews are staring at you, and you want to give them your best.

But you’re actually preaching to a broader audience.

Even if your message isn’t broadcast, podcast, or otherwise distributed. Even if your congregation doesn’t generate a flurry of Facebook updates or real-time tweets.

Talk to who isn’t there.