Essential Advice for Effective Ministry
An essential for effective ministry is being able to get to know people. This lesson is designed to give you some tips on how to become a people person.
“The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”-Teddy Roosevelt.
“Be diligent to know the state of our flock and attend to your herds.”-Prov. 27:23
“…and the sheep hear his own voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…I am the good shepherd; and I know my sheep, and am known by my own.” John 10:3-4, 14
Becoming A People Person Calls For:
- REACHING out to people.
Be proactive in meeting and getting to know people. SMILE!
and SPEAK to people when you see them. Make friends by being friendly.
See Prov. 18:24! “A stranger is just a friend you have not yet met.”
2. REMEMBER a person’s name.
Nothing is more important to a person than their name!! When you pay the price to learn a person’s name and then call them by their name when you see them, they will take notice.
John 10:3 “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
3 John 1:14 “but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.”
Prov. 27:23 “Know your sheep by name; carefully attend to your flocks” The Message.
Napoleon Bonaparte knew every officer of his army by name. He liked to wander through his camp, meet an officer, greet him by name, and talk about a battle or maneuver he knew this officer had been involved in. He never missed an opportunity to inquire about a soldier’s hometown, wife, and family. The men were always amazed to see how much personal information about each person he could store in his memory.
3. RECOGNIZE a person’s potential.
Most people are quick to see a fault. As a “people” person, you will want to be quick to see the “good” in others. Take the time to discover the potential that others do not see and point it out to them.
4. REQUEST information about them.
Doing this shows that you have a personal interest in them. Ask good questions that will reveal what they are really about. Find out about their future DREAMS and goals.
Find out what they CRY about. Find out what they SING or laugh about.
To do this, you must become a great LISTENER.
When seeking information, the following are ten areas to ask questions in order to learn more about them and to have a better understanding about them:
1. Their background
2. Their present situation or station in life
3. Their personality
4. Their spiritual gift (s)
5. Their natural abilities
6. Their dreams for the future
7. Their hurts – past and present
8. Their joys – past and present
9. Their priorities
10. Their key influencers, as well as who their friends are.
5. Be RESPECTFUL.
Treat people the way you want to be treated. Practice the golden rule!
“Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matt. 7:12 and Luke 7:31
Never discriminate or belittle. It is never right to be RUDE. Be considerate of others. Be courteous to others. See Eph. 4:32
6. RELATE to them on their level.
Talk about the things that they are interested in.
7. Be RELIABLE.
Trust and honesty will build strong relationships. 95% replied in a recent survey that honesty was the number one thing they wanted in a friendship.
“One of the first questions going through a person’s mind is,
‘Can I trust this person?’”-Lou Holtz
8. Give REASSURANCE to people.
People need hope – they are so insecure!
Relationships grow fast and strong in an atmosphere of affirmation. We should not only see the potential in others, but we should also express that we see the potential. Be quick to COMPLIMENT and to express encouragement as well as appreciation.
Practice the “30-second rule” of speaking something POSITIVE about a person within the first 30 seconds of seeing them.
9. Be a RESOURCE for people.
Being a problem solver helps to establish credibility that you really do care. Relationships grow when there is a felt need. Remember that all of us are on a journey, and at times we all need some directions. In giving people direction, here are some tips:
a. Give them a bright picture of their life –
If needed, help them to answer the question, “What does the dream look like?”
b. Show them the process – How are we going to do it?
c. Inform them of the price – How much will it cost? How much Money? and Time?
d. Point out other people who have experience – Let them know who can help them?
e. Identify possible problems – what will we encounter?
f. Reveal the potential – what happens if we make it?
Walt Disney said there are three types of people in the world:
- Well poisoners – they poison your life with discouragement!
- Lawn mowers – they mow their own lawns and never leave their yard to help others.
- Life enhancers – they reach out to enrich the lives of others.”
*To push down, you must stoop; to lift up, you must stretch.
10. REQUEST their help.
Nothing makes a person feel more important than to do something for you that you could not do for yourself.
Conclusion
You can have good people skills and not be a good leader, but you cannot be a good leader without people skills.
As a leader, use your HEAD to gain knowledge of people, especially “your” people.
As a leader, use your HEART to demonstrate a concern for people.
As a leader, use your HANDS to help people.
In conclusion, there are three very important things to remember about people:
- People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
- Everybody wants to be someone.
- Everyone needs someone.
An Article written by our founder Dwayne Carson
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