The Importance of Effective Communication: Q & A With Matthew Gamble
I think we’d all agree that preaching and communicating well is very important. I’ve done a few posts about the subject here and here, but thought it would be a good idea to do a Q&A with someone that spends a lot of time speaking on the road: Matthew Gamble. 1. So what’s your day job?
“Talk about Jesus. Work as a consultant with the Center for Creative Ministry. Hang out with my wife.” 
2. What preacher/communicator do you look up to? Why?
“Mark Driscoll: Mars Hill Church Seattle, WA – While I don’t entirely agree with his theology, I appreciate his exegetical care of the Word of God. Further I am encouraged to see the fruit of their labor in Seattle (one of the most unchurched areas of the nation).
Rob Bell: Mars Hill Bible Church Grand Rapids, MI – Again, while I don’t agree with all of his theology, I appreciate his willingness to tackle difficult books of the Bible (ie Mars Hill launched the church by doing a sermon series on the book of Leviticus). I also value the creativity he brings to the table.
Matt Chandler: The Village Church (somewhere in Texas) – Again, I appreciate his focus on the Bible and his relevant approach to scripture.”
3. What are some of the biggest mistakes you see speakers making nowadays? What advice would you give them?
“Not preaching the Bible! I am a huge fan of expository preaching… meaning verse by verse, word for word. I believe that we make a huge mistake when we don’t preach this way because it tends to lead people to be Bible light. Conversely, when we preach word for word, verse by verse, people will automatically learn to study their Bibles on a deeper level, as opposed to simply doing topical studies.
Along with this, it is frustrating to listen to “preachers” that seem to stand up and give pop psychology messages. Please stop and preach Jesus!”
4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from speaking to many different groups of people?
“Know your audience. Paul said that he became all things to all people and I believe that this is of great value for any communicator.
Be passionate about what you are talking about. I am not suggesting that you have to yell and scream, I am simply saying that make sure that the message is really burning in your soul before you stand up in hopes to, by God’s grace, get someone else excited about it. Furthermore, be creative in your communication so that people remember the message.
Be authentic. When appropriate, be vulnerable with the audience about your struggles and shortcomings.
Know what you are going to say and make sure that it is clear what you want other people to hear/know when they leave. Don’t hesitate to reiterate the main point over and over again.
Be available to people after you preach a message. I believe that some people never cross over the line into faith, because the preacher wasn’t there for them. Make yourself available to people.
Be surrendered to the Holy Spirit as He may point something out to you while you are preaching that He wants you to say.
Be aware of the audiences response to your message. While you are preaching if people’s body language is suggesting that they have no clue what you are talking about, don’t hesitate to stop and re-word something.”
5. Final thoughts?
“Remember that preaching is foolishness to those who don’t believe. Remember that you as the preacher are a broken/sinful man/woman who is not called to condemn people, but to point them to Jesus.”
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