Losing in the fourth quarter and facing a fourth down at midfield, a pivotal moment occurred in the Long Beach State vs. UNLV championship game. Head coach, Dave Curry, pulls me alongside to give very precise instructions: “If the corner is rolled up outside the wide-out, punt. But if he is playing straight up, the fake is on.”
Observe closely the instructions from a Division 1 football coach. What did he do? He sent me onto the playing field—to make a read. You might not value my point yet, but let me just say upfront—making a read is a million times better than predetermining a call. This is why today’s quarterbacks, like master game-callers Peyton Manning, and recently, Philip Rivers, are deadly against defenses.
Across a wide evangelical spectrum, pastors exhort their flocks to go tell the gospel. As you may know, I refer to this classic thinking as: “The telling paradigm.” Awkwardly, parishioners pour forth attempting to be faithful heralds of the good news, even though that assignment is far more difficult than implied. Leaving the church doors, most draw blanks on how to go about this all-important endeavor. In truth, the majority of Christians are clueless on how to impart their faith in a way that is natural and effective. It begs the question. Do you send your children into the world without training? How will your kids navigate, bereft of skills?
Draped with difficulty factors, simple “telling” proclamations are not sufficient for the unchurched person, and can even be counterproductive from aggressive tellers. Seeing this, most Christians default to mute mode. What could change this dynamic, however, is the ability to make a read. As my coach did at that critical moment, we can empower believers to become decision makers, allowing them to adjust based on what they see in live action. They can acquire the skills to reach non-believing friends, neighbors or work associates! Instead of wondering how they are going to interruptedly break into a conversation to interject Christ, their communication can dial in spot-on to their friend’s needs. They can begin the conversation not from a rote proclamation, but from a recognized opportunity. In real-life relating, this changes everything!
Running onto the field, I positioned myself between the center and punter, and then turned my gaze to the defense. Catching eyes with the corner, I could tell that he knew the trick play we had run against San Jose State. But it didn’t matter. Their coach had failed to make the proper adjustment. Seeing the corner playing straight up, I audibled “Down” instead of “Set,” which relayed to my team—the fake was on! The center snapped it short to me—I bobbled the ball in the air (crazy!), finally gathered it in, and then threw a strike just inside the boundary. First down! Our offense stormed back out and drove for a touchdown. Then with our defense making the stop, we kicked a field goal in the closing minute—to win it!
A guy told me afterwards, “You won it, that was the turning point!” The truth is, it was just one play in a sequence—but it was a big play! When your people are empowered to make a “read” with the gospel—it’s a big play for the kingdom! That type of messaging draws non-believer’s into realizing what Jesus offers to their lives. Like the Samaritan woman hearing Jesus’s drenched in meaning “living water” words, they can learn how to speak powerfully. By the Spirit’s guidance they can actually whisper into people’s souls! And which person wouldn’t be impacted by words customized to their deepest longings and pressing needs? Aren’t you drawn when someone dials in tight to what you are facing—right now?
Think about the non-believers in your life. Ever get close enough to make a read? Why wouldn’t we want all our people to be equipped to disclose or describe the spiritual life in resonant terms? If you want to develop this deeper influence skill—the kind that Jesus possessed—then pick up a copy of Soul Whisperer. The book will expand anyone’s influence ability. It teaches a new paradigm: Start where they are. Read what they need. Know where to take them. By beginning where people are at, it charts how to reach various types. Why wouldn’t you and your church want to become more influential for the gospel? You can send them into their mission field—with a mindset—to make the play!