The Courageous Voice

We are not soft.  We speak with confidence.  Our voice sounds like our leadership.  Our statements, responses, and quotes are direct, “active”, and to the point.

We are not afraid to fight, but we don’t seek out conflict.  We speak boldly in the tensions of our culture, but we do not engage in culture wars. 

We are not religious or legalistic, but we talk like we have a relationship with Jesus.  People don’t have to figure out what kind of church we are.

Our written and visual communication is authentic, diverse, positive, and fun!

We answer: who, what, when, where, why, and how? We include easy-to-find information for any next steps. Clear beats clever when clever isn’t clear.

We don’t use words that are hard to understand. We explain The Courageous Church terms and any phrases that may be confusing to someone who has never stepped inside a church. We don’t assume people know TCL, DT or SG.

We understand people tune out advertising and manipulation. We inform, cast vision, and share stories and experiences.  We describe real outcomes that can benefit our church and community.  We’re not giving people to-dos. We’re presenting them with opportunities.

7 Communicator Best Practices

Exalt Jesus and bring glory to God.  Remember, “God” means many things to many people, so ensure you are presenting Jesus.  People don’t need motivational speeches.  They need the Word of God and an emphasis on Jesus Christ.

We are "The Courageous Church" or "Courageous."  Not just "Courageous Church."  Know the “why” behind our mission, systems, and values.  Don’t contradict our basic fundamentals and doctrine.  Make sure you know what we stand for, before you communicate.  We believe in the power of the parable.  We don’t teach at people, we include them along the communication journey.  Incorporate at least one cultural phrase into every communication.  Refer to your culture guide.

We are life-giving. Choose how you want people to feel and focus on the feeling you want them to walk away with. Speak from the New Covenant of grace, not a viewpoint of law and condemnation. Don’t just tell it like it is, tell it like it could be with Jesus as the difference maker.

Excellence is our standard.  Proper planning and structure allows spontaneity.  It is important to think things through, get the structure as polished as you can, and be familiar with what you want to clearly communicate.  Have a clear opening and clear closing.  Land the plane, don’t crash the plane.

To be unclear is cruel. Know your audience and communicate to who they are and how God sees them.  Don’t stray into what you don’t understand and don’t speak beyond your authority; there are subjects and topics that only our Lead Pastor has the authority to speak on.  Keep learning, but don’t communicate outside your understanding.  Stick to what you know, but also continue to grow in what you know and in your knowledge of the Word.  1 Timothy 3 in The Message says of the leader, “He must know what he is talking about.”  Preparation is a discipline.

We are bold, not boring. We are fun, but don’t try too hard to be funny.  Humor is a tool, but it is not the goal.  Don’t overdo it.  Remember these phrases, “It’s not about me.”  “Can you believe we get to do this?”  Use inclusive language: “We, us, ours, yours, etc.”

We don’t have perfect people.  It’s not about exposing and highlighting our strengths and weaknesses, but rather balancing these examples to enhance our communication.  Our weaknesses neither our strengths, are the central message.  But, people benefit from understanding the journey and challenges that you had to overcome to get there.  “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Revelation 12:11