4 Practical Ways To Get Close To Your Audience

The other day I pulled up to a drive-thru speaker, paused to decide on my order, and heard a garbled voice ask something I could barely understand. I said politely, “I’m not quite ready yet.” More static. After a few seconds I asked, “hello?” Finally, the voice replied, “go ahead when you’re ready.” I placed my order and moved forward.

Here’s the problem: it’s hard to communicate with someone you don’t really know, especially when barriers—like a crackly speaker—get in the way. Even when I order something simple, there’s often a “disconnect” between me and the unseen person on the other end. And I’m rarely surprised when the order in the bag isn’t what I asked for.

Communication in ministry can be the same way. If we don’t know the people we’re speaking to, or if too many barriers exist, our message often doesn’t land. To connect, we need to remove the distance.

Here are 4 practical ways to get close to your audience:

Know your audience
Pastors who know their congregation can minister more effectively. The less you know about people, the greater the chance your message will miss. Inside and outside the church, learn as much as possible about those you want to reach. The better you know them, the stronger your communication will be.
Speak to specific groups
When you try to talk to “everyone,” you risk connecting with no one. Break your audience into a few clear groups or personas. Start with two or three based on demographics, and give each one a simple name that helps you picture them as real people.
Understand their concerns and goals
What keeps each group up at night? What do they long for? Identify their needs and offer clear solutions. When people hear you speaking directly to their concerns, they’ll lean in and listen.
Make it personal
Don’t just create content that’s interesting—create content that feels personal. Write or speak as if you’re sitting across the table from someone in that persona group. When people feel seen, they’ll give you their attention.

The truth is, people in your community are “placing orders” in their minds every day. They need something. Your church has the solution. If you listen carefully and communicate clearly, you’ll get the order right—and they’ll keep coming back. Even more, you’ll have the chance to connect them to Christ.

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