What is a “3″ level speaker?

By far and away, the vast majority of weekend speakers are at best level 3 communicators - those who normally speak at weekend “celebrations” (please, let’s retire that word - we’ll be working on vocabulary adjustments in the coming weeks - honestly, when did you last experience a “celebration” at your church or at any weekend for that matter to be brutally honest? My last honest to goodness celebration was in Kenya, several years ago - a heck of a commute).

A level three speaker is almost always speaking from a paradigm that he / she has picked up on from who knows where, but sadly they believe they have picked up on some amazing communication pointers that will ensure they will week in, week out convey something of value to their people.

Sadly, there is nearly 0% accurate self-awareness present in weekend communicators who are at the point of long term frustration. Most of us when frustrated tend to either become depressed and desire to throw in the towel or we just plug ahead - banging our head against the wall. Like someone wise once said, “To continue doing the same thing and to expect different results is the definition of insanity…”

My story, in short…

As my churches grew, I realized that the itsy-bity communication gift God has deposited in me needed to grow with it. I have always been a “different” kind of communicator, both in print and in speech. Some love my style of communication and seemingly can’t get enough of my stuff while others are immediately turned off and leave within 5 minutes of me beginning to speak. I have seen this to be the case for decades. I am used to this response and absolutely expect it now. Happily, those who don’t connect with me are a very small percentage - and they tend to have values that are very different than mine. In other words, I have a polarizing effect on people. If you are not that way, you are more usual than like me - fortunately for you!

As my churches have grown, I have come to realize, intuitively, that I need to give a great message that is both really me, that is scriptural, that is in keeping with the level of comprehension of those I draw (Question: “Who are your people?” You do have a type of people you draw spontaneously. You don’t need to have a decade of leadership / teaching experience to figure this out. Looking back over your life thus far even as a new teacher will give you giant clues as to who you naturally attract by the power of God’s Spirit flowing through you… Several people have prophetically called me “The Human Trash Collector” - if you know me you would laugh at how precisely accurate that line is.)

I was at best a level 3 speaker early on, but I was not satisfied with that. I realized that there was at least a kernel of a gift in me that Jesus wanted to shine upon, to develop, to expand. I invested in coaching relationships before the word “coaching” was in vogue. I pursued those who were beyond me in their experiential level. In some cases I even begged them to allow me to pay them for an hour of their time on the phone. At this point I have spent over $100,000 in my own funds over the past 20 years in speaking coaching. I know I will spend more - maybe a lot more.