Last week I had a radio interview with Pat Williams, host of the “Road Home” radio broadcast in Orlando Florida.

You may have heard of him, especially if you are a sports fan. He’s the Sr. Vice President of the NBA's Orlando Magic and quite a prolific author and popular motivational speaker. After experiencing him as an interview host, I felt like I had just finished “Mat Drills” or “dropped down and given him 20!” It was one of the most exhilarating interviews I’ve ever done!

Let me tell you, he was quick, to the point, and asked tough questions. Just when I thought we were finished, he gave his on air good-byes and then in coach like fashion, he barked “Jennifer, give me the top four things you’ve learned about effective public speaking.” Afraid I would have to stay after practice and run laps, I shot off the first four things that came to mind! Boy, am I glad he asked, because it reminded me of some great things I’ve learned from my experience and my mentors and I thought I would share them with you.

Since so many of you are in a public role in women’s ministry that often results in public speaking, here are some things that might help you. No worries, I am not as quick or keen as Pat Williams so there won’t be a quiz at the end of this newsletter!

Your audience should not be a source of intimidation, rather an invitation to succeed. If you feel intimidated, it might be because you are unprepared. Intimidation and nervousness are not the same things - learn to discern the difference. A publicist once told me how intimidated he was when he was invited to speak to a group of Harvard Alumni about becoming published. He recounted that what helped him get over his intimidation was recognizing that even though his audience was brilliant, he was an expert on becoming published! Your audience may be your intellectual peers, or they may be brighter than you, but, they invited you to satisfy their curiosity. Become a prepared expert on the message you are to present and then all you will have to tame are those few nervous ordinary butterflies!!

The audience should not dictate your response to them, instead because of your preparedness, you dictate their response to your message. The master at this is one of my mentors, Patsy Clairmont. She so thinks through her presentation, that she knows how and when the audience will respond. She pauses, uses facial _expression, and vocal volume and intonation masterfully to prompt the audience in responding on cue. It’s quite a skill and gift. Sometimes, if our audience is comatose or even overly giddy, we might feel like we need to modify our presentation. Though sensitivity to our audience and the Holy Spirit is essential, a skilled speaker is able to guide the audience to respond according to her goals. If this is hard for you, don’t fret. It’s still difficult for me too. Just pray, prepare, and practice!

Be prepared in advance but spontaneous on the stage. This is the way you and the Holy Spirit cooperate in representing our Lord. Spontaneity is fabulous, but, it is no substitute for praying and preparing in advance. Every train needs a track, every runner needs a finish line. But, don’t be so married to your notes that you are unable or unwilling to vary slightly. Have a definite outline in mind, but, be willing for the group dynamic, the Holy Spirit and the texture of the event to prompt your personality to show up!

Finally, your platform is received not achieved so consider yourself as a steward not an owner. This helps us to remain aware of our true position. We are humble servants. We are like that turtle on the fence post... you know, “He didn’t get there by himself!” Take care of your platform and opportunities as if you are entrusted with a great gift belonging to someone else - because you are. The gift is from God, given through you to bless others. The way you use it is a direct reflection on Him. Yet, recognize, your greatest responsibility is to respond to God. Follow His lead, study to show yourself approved unto God - a workman who never needs to be ashamed.

Well, you got a little more illustrations than I gave Pat, but, I don’t sweat as much when I talk to you!

“Be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Lessons I Learned in the Dark,
and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET
 

Theme Title: Transformation
Based On: Romans 12:1&2
Description: Brightly colored butterflies & flowers! We gave away potted plants as door prizes. The speaker shared about transforming our minds to become all God wanted us to become, for Him. The ladies wrote letters to themselves (and to God) stating what changes they hoped to make and our WM team sent the letters to the women a few months later, as a reminder of their new hopes and dreams and commitments to God.
Submitted by:Trish Powers, Mayville, WI

Theme Title: Like a Little Child
Based On: Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child.. . Mark 10:l5
Description: Precious Moments figurines and light pink and white roses in glass vases were on all the tables. Our speaker used the passage from Mark to encourage the women to be teachable as children are. For favors we gave away shirts, cups, Bible covers, figurines and other items from Precious Moments.
Submitted by: Gojoywatson@tds.net, Cyril, OK

Theme Title: Mirror Mirror on the Wall
Based On: Seeing yourself through God's eyes
Description: We used this theme for a Women's Breakfast. Each place setting had a wrapped gift. Before the women opened it the women were told that it was a beautiful gift, each one was different, and that in this package they would see a most precious gift from God. They opened it and discovered... a mirror. They were asked to sit in look into the mirror for a couple minutes. We reminded them of God’s love for them and how He sees us.
Submitted by: Melanie, Chandler AZ

Theme Title: You Glow Girl!
Based On: Matt. 5:14-16
Description: This is a night of light and encouragement for women to walk as the light of the world. We decorated the room with candles and white lights. The ladies enjoyed sweet treats and a great time of fellowship followed by a devotion. We also had candles as our doorprizes.
Submitted by: Sara Baker, Nixa, MO

Challenge women to find analogies in every day items.

Objectives: To stimulate creative thinking and build connections to the event topic.

Materials: a "bag of stuff" filled with items from your catch all drawer.

Procedure: Fill a bag with objects you find in your "everything drawer" (i.e. paper clip, scotch tape, Band-Aid, eraser, nails, tape measure, chopsticks, etc.) pass the bag around the group and ask each person to select one items from the bag. Give them some time to think about the characteristics of that object, its attributes, what it can be used for, etc. Then ask them to compare that item to the topic being discussed at your event (i.e. "how is an eraser like godliness?)

As they make the connection between the object and the topic they will surprise themselves at how much they already know about the topic, they will feel creative, and ready to learn more!

Submitted by: Beth Miller of Lakeland, FL
Email: lrcmom1122@aol.com

Did you know there is a brand new Issue of Java with Jennifer?

Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly ministry update specifically for friends who want to keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.

Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter, you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly" WomensMinistry.NET eNewsletter. However, if you want to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest group.

Still not sure?

See the August Issue here.

Someone Has to Win... Why Not You!

When you visit our Featured Sponsor link, you will automatically be entered to win a free book, cd, or other resource from WomensMinistry.NET.

This week five winners will recieve the 2005 Women of Faith DVD featuring Jennifer Rothschild, Max Lucado, and the WoF core speakers

We randomly select the winners from those that click through the featured sponsor links in last week's issue. This week's winners are...
twoods3@unc...
mttt@aol...
galeingram1@yah...
firstparish@net...
pmterry2001@yah...
baash25@yah...
pearl@fis...
lah@car...
mertv@msn...
cletus104@bell...
 

Each of these winners will recieve a $10.00 gift certificate to Jennifer's new online store!

Attention: Winner listed above. Please email us your address!

reaching more than 20,000 influential women's ministry leaders across the world. Click here for Advertising Rates

Here's what some of our recent Ad Sponsors are saying:

"We have never been disappointed in how advertising in the WomensMinistry.NET newsletter has put us in touch with women of prayer all across the world. Thank you, Phil and Jennifer, for this AWESOME newsletter. The MDOP ministry will be forever blessed because of it." Kathy Coleman, Founder, Mom's Days of Prayer

Here's how it works... send us your great ideas and if we use them in a newsletter you will be automatically entered to win the book bundle for the quarter. The more great ideas you submit, the more chances to win. At the end of the quarter we will announce the winner and the books she has won!

Our popular WomensMinistry.NET Directory of Speaker, Authors, and other Gifted Communicators is now accepting renewals and new listings for 2006. Silver and Gold Listings receive special pricing on eNewsletter Sponsor Ads.

Just click on the link below to update your personal information today.