A visiting speaker or professional team can make a real impact on your group. So can someone from your own church, or a team from nearby.
When arranging for a speaker, first answer these questions as honestly as you can so you're clear what you're looking for and can brief your potential speaker well.
✩ What do you hope the speaker will accomplish? (Entertain, teach a certain concept, encourage listeners to take a faith step, share a personal story, provide alternative viewpoints, leave the audience something to think about...)
✩ What will the audience likely be expecting? (Have you held events like this before? What do you want to keep the same and what do you sense should be different? How will the event be promoted?
✩ How are those in the audience likely to be feeling? (Will they be comfortable with the people, program and surroundings? Might they be defensive? Are they there only for their kids?)
✩ What's the culture of those who'll be invited? Is English their first language? Are they familiar with church? What kind of church? In what ways are they different from those organising the event, or from the proposed speaker?)
✩ What will happen before and after the speaker? (Is it a church service, a meal, a games program?)
✩ What's the timeframe and what might impact on the time available?
Work with your speaker to achieve the best results. Confirm all the details a suitable time beforehand.
Arrange for people to pray for and with the speaker before they speak and follow up with a thank you a few days later.
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