Perspective Dictates Perception Dictates Reality Dictates Relevance
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Perspective is shaped by so many factors. However, as skewed or inaccurate as a person’s perspective may be, it doesn’t diminish the influence that perspective has on their perception. And, if you’re unaware, perception is reality.
Understanding the perspective of your audience is crucial to understanding their reality. Understanding a person’s reality is the first step in being a truly relevant communicator.
Whether your message is spoken or written, if it’s not relevant to your audience on the level of their reality, then what’s the point?
In your opinion, what does a message that’s relevant on the level of the reality of your audience look like?
photo credit: Davevdb
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Scott - love following your blog. Always interesting stuff. This subject matter is a little heavy. Maybe you could go back to something like “How To Twitter With One Hand and Order a Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte with the Other.” Just kidding! The relationship between “relevant” and “reality” is key in communicating well. You have hit the proverbial nail on the head. Your blog is a great example. Your’e blogging specifically about something that is a reality to most of your readers, who are communicators. That makes your blog relevant. THis IS what it looks like. As a pastor being relevant (imho) is not about preaching the “latest series” that everyone else is doing as seems to be the new trend among church planters; it’s not about hooking up with your small group to smoke big cigars and play poker in the local bar; and its not even about making whatever TopTen List Outreach magazine dreams up this month. Being relevant is addressing the reality of your audience. I’ve been in ministry now for 19 years. The past 10 as a senior pastor and the last 4 as a church planter. In all my years of preaching no one has ever stood up in a church service and said, “For the love of God pastor, explain dispensational echatolgy!” But I have been asked, “How do I survive my marriage. I’ve had it!” “Pastor, your sermon got me fired up today. What about tomorrow when I have to go to work and face my ungodly boss?” For the people in the pew, that’s their reality. Building relationships. Preaching Jesus. Discipling people. Thats what it looks like to me. Keep up the good work, Scott. You’re doing a great job! Sorry for the long post.