In each episode, we will explore practical ways to construct and deliver better sermons - encourage excellence. In part, we will take lessons from the world of TED talks and apply them to level up preaching and teaching.  

TED-style talks are about an idea worth spreading; we believe the essential Idea worth sharing is the gospel message. 

Sharing a compelling message begins with clarifying the “big idea” or propositional statement.

Mike Rowe and Chuck Lipp discuss why the big Idea is essential and what it takes to find the big Idea.  

Sometimes it is easy to express the big Idea, but it requires effort to say it in a sentence. The same is true for coaching TEDx talk speakers from Chuck Lipp’s experience as the TEDxLakeJuanluska Organizer. Succinctly expressing the Idea worth sharing can make the talk more powerful.

Helping TEDx speakers develop their “idea worth sharing” is always a process with successive approximations. Clarifying the propositional statement will guide the development- eliminating good points that may be useful for other messages, but may obstruct this message.

Mike suggests that sometimes ideas need to PERC: [Prayer, Examine, Research, and Collaborate] – with a discussion of each item.

Referenced material

Communicating for a Change: Seven Keys to Communication, 2006 by Andy Stanley,

Ted Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking, 2016 by Chris Anderson