We have a lot of requests for tips for speakers and this week we have pulled a great article from the archives just for you... Enjoy!

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 and 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 few 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 Self Talk, Soul Talk: What to Say When You Talk to Yourself, and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

This week's question.
What are some steps I can take to control my negative thoughts?

View Jennifer's Video Answer

Last week's question.
Can I really control my thoughts? Many times I feel as if I can't.

View Jennifer's Video Answer

Bible studies should be the "backbone" of a Women's Ministry. They are a great place to get women into the Word and see them grow in their relationship with the Lord, and with each other.

Whether you are leading a small group discussion time or facilitating a discussion hour before a video based study, this week we have some general guidelines that will help you make the most of your discussion time. These ideas are based on an article "How to Lead a Small-Group Bible Study Effectively" by Jack Kuhatschek.

Each week, before you begin, remind women that this is not meant to be a lecture; it is a group discussion of the homework. Encourage everyone to participate. There will be some women who will probably take a week or two to get comfortable enough to share.

Encourage more than one woman to respond to each discussion question. You can foster this participation by following each answer with a simple, "Anyone else?" You can generally sense when the group is ready to move on.

Try to affirm answers. Simple words of affirmation such as "That's a great insight," "Good response," "Excellent idea," or "I hadn't thought of that before" are enough to show women that you value their comments.

.Don't be afraid of silence. It usually seems longer to you than to the other members of the group. Women may simply need time to think before they respond.

If the silence persists, don't answer your own question. Instead, try rephrasing the question until you are confident that the group understands what you are asking. Don't dominate the discussion, or you will "squish" their desire to share.

Never reject an answer, even if it is wrong. When you reject women's answers, it is easy for them to feel rejected as well, and they may decide that it is too risky to give their opinion again. Respond to the answer with, "Which verse led you to that conclusion?" Or let the group handle the problem by asking them what they think about the question.

These are great, basic tips that will encourage the women in your group to participate in the discussion. Relax, have fun and enjoy the sweet fellowship of your Bible study!

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

Visit these past sponsors:

Fresh Grounded Faith Conference

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 when asked to update your profile.

Still not sure?

See the Latest Issue here.

This is a simple Icebreaker that can be used a lot of different ways to encourage women to share more about themselves.

Materials: pen and paper for each participant

Procedure: Ask the women to take a piece of paper and write something about themselves that no one else knows. You can have them wad up paper and through it in the middle of the floor or fold the paper and put it in a basket. Women take turns selecting and reading the papers and everyone votes on who they think wrote it. There are no prizes but lots of laughs as you learn about the girls in your group.

Variations: You can use this game weekly for a study and have a different question each week.

Think of some questions that you would like to ask the women in your group and have fun!

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.

We randomly select the winner from those that click through the featured sponsor links in last week's issue.
This week's winner is...goakes@upci.org...

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:

" ...got a call from a woman in Mississippi this morning who called in her order since her dial-up was slow. When I asked her if she saw the product at the EWomen Conference in October, she replied that she read about them in Jennifer Rothchilds' newsletter. She's introducing them to her church's bookstore and expressed such complimentary things about Driving Reflections...I'm so happy that I ran the ad!"
- Jane Brown, President, Get It In Your Soul, Inc.

Our popular WomensMinistry.NET Directory of Speaker, Authors, and other Gifted Communicators is where Women's Ministry leaders and event planners find great speakers for their events. Also, Silver and Gold Listings receive special pricing on eNewsletter Sponsor Ads.

From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek