DEDICATED TO BRINGING GLORY TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

COLLEGE LAKES BAPTIST CHURCH

4704 Ramsey Street
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311-1615
Church Office 910-488-8344
Church Cell Phone 910-658-3475

church@collegelakeschurch.org
R E T U R N S ERVICE R EQUESTED

T HE
C OLLEGE L AKES

Challenger

News From College Lakes Church

A Message from Reverend Lanier. . .

TODAY in History
Today is the anniversary of the September
11th terrorist attacks. Let us continue to
remember the families directly affected by
these attacks and the ever present danger
throughout the world. As Christians we
anticipate the time when Jesus Christ will
setup His Kingdom on earth.
Nevertheless we, according to his
promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (II
Peter 3:13)

Why People Tune Out

4 Indispensable Components of
Impactful Messages
by Kurt Skelly
Most people dont blatantly walk out of
church services. But a good number of them
tune out. To be fair, sometimes such
detachment is the fault of the listener himself.
But all too often, we preachers have a lot to do
with why increasing numbers in our
congregations preoccupy themselves with their

September 11, 2014

smart phones, catch up on their power naps, or

painstakingly mark the minutes until the
sermon terminates.
The remedy for an increasing tune out is not
as simple as merely turning up the volume of
the microphone or turning down the
temperature of the thermostat. (Although I do
prefer a meat locker climate for our services!)
Let me offer four indispensable components of
impactful messages:
1. CLARITY (BLAND SPEECH CAUSES
TUNE OUT)
Solomon had a few things to say at the end of
his life. Actually, a lot of things. Like two
whole books full. One of his main goals in
sharing his end of life wisdom was to seek
out acceptable words. His desire was to find
the right way to say the right things. He
understood the power that words have. He
taught us that carefully selected words can be
like goads and fasteners to the listeners, both
urging them forward in obedience and
providing them foundational principles by
which to live securely.
Think especially through the main points of
your message. Learn how to craft your words
in a pithy way. Youre not preaching to show
off what you know or how well you can say it.

2 New s From College Lakes Church

You are preaching in order for the listeners to
understand. So know something about them.
Think your way into their lives.
The end result of a message is not that the
listener is impressed that you know something;
it is that the listener be improved because now
he knows something.
2. HUMILITY (PROUD SPEECH CAUSES
TUNE OUT)
Nothing repels like pride. Ever the heroes of
their own stories, some preachers view the
pulpit as their throne and the people as their
fawning subjects. And the funny thing is, in
ministries like these, most people are already
on to it. But the repercussions of kingdom
banishment keep them quiet. The naked
emperor continues to babble about his
impressive wardrobe and nobody has the guts
to tell him that hes not wearing any clothes.
Humility expresses herself well by
transparency. Tell them how youve struggled
with the very subject on which you are
preaching. Be honest about your own failures
and fears. In most cases, people are already
aware of them anyway.
Pride obscures truth in two ways: (1) the
proud preacher often bends the truth in order
to elevate himself in some way, and (2) the
listener disregards the message because he is
repulsed by the preachers arrogance. By
contrast, when preachers speak humbly and
transparently, people are free to see the
message for what it is. And what is it? The
transcendent truth of God to needy man. The
preacher needs it. I need it. We all need it.
3. FERVENCY (LIFELESS SPEECH
CAUSES TUNE OUT)
Fervency is a bit nebulous to describe when it
comes to preaching and teaching. What I mean
is that fervency doesnt necessarily mean
volume or theatrics. It doesnt always show up
in tears or gestures. But it is obvious. When
someone speaks with conviction, its
undeniably noticeable.
Actors speak from scripts. They master the
lines and deliver them masterfully. At least the
good ones do. They speak with skill.
Memorized lines spill from their lips like the
cascade of a beautiful waterfall. They learn
their roles and manufacture the appropriate
emotions by which to convey them. But the

September 11, 2014

Word of God is so much more than a script or

lines to be memorized. It is truth! And when
that truth enflames the heart of the preacher, it
is powerful truth indeed.
Do you believe what youre preaching?
Really? Then speak with a conviction that
reflects it. Truth that has not first captured
your heart will not easily connect with your
listeners.
4. CREDIBILITY (UNSUBSTANTIATED
SPEECH CAUSES TUNE OUT)
Why should I believe what you are telling me?
Funny stories are entertaining, and tear-jerking
stories can pull the emotional chain, but Im
going to need a little bit more than anecdotal
evidence if you want me to believe what you
are saying. And just because somebody famous
said something quotable about it doesnt mean
that Im going buy it either.
Is your message rooted in the truth of Gods
Word? If so, where? Show me. Give me a text
of Scripture to which I can affix my faith.
Take my word for it, really doesnt cut it.
Foolish is the preacher who asks people to
believe something, Because I say so! Faith
is a precious commodity indeed. Encourage
listeners to invest it in the security of Gods
Word. There it lies safely. Only there.
And if youve read the article this far, thanks
for not tuning out!

Ushers for September 14th

A.M. Jerry Adams
Michael Williams
John Johnson
Elijah Henry
Billy Tyson
Sonny Alvarez
P.M. Ken Triplett
Thanks Everyone
Gilbert Jones wishes to thank everyone that
helped during the passing of his dear wife.
New Sign
Thank the Lord for our new sign in front of
the church, another ministry tool.
Saved
Thank the Lord for two souls saved recently.