We are all communicators, we can’t avoid it. Our daily interactions at even the most menial level are transmitting messages to others around us. For many people, myself included, this process goes on often without a great deal of thought or concise involvement. I, for one, know that so often I’m not cognizant of the rules that guide the positions and mediums I employ every day to communicate.
One of the things I appreciate about Kraft’s work is how deeply enmeshed with the scriptures it is. His work is laid upon a foundation that looks to how God communicates is his word, and in his world. At the same time it is very practical, and contemporary. He casts a vision for Christian communication that is “dynamically equivalent.” We live in an increasingly pluralistic world. Our methods of communication must be under constant scrutiny or they risk obsolescence.
As I read, I wrote down the following 10 questions to ask myself as I prepare to communicate. These are the main things I know I am walking away with:
1. Is the message something that could realistically be accepted by the recipient?
2. Does the message establish credibility with the recipient?
3. Is the message relevant to the recipient where they are at?
4. Does the message communicate to the recipient as an individual?
5. Does this message get the attention of the recipient?
6. Is their room for the recipient to explore for themselves within the message?
7. Is my vehicle for transmitting meaning arriving with the cargo intact?
8. Are there other ways I can communicate this that will help more recipients understand?
9. Does the message communicate to the recipient holistically?
10. Am I loving God and the recipient, or simply performing?
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