The Sunday morning nod: we have all seen it and some of us have succumbed to its influence. I am not referring to the affirming nod that one might offer up to in place of an “amen,” or “preach it.” I am referring to the unintentional nod of dozing off. There are few things more entertaining than watching someone battle off the nod: their eyelids grow heavy, their shoulders slump, and their head slowly begins to drop. Everyone behind them is drawn to the internal battle being fought right in front of their eyes! The nodder suddenly jumps back to consciousness and sheepishly looks to see if anyone had noticed and the process begins all over again

How could someone fall asleep during a church service? Late night television certainly one source of sheepishness but the other, and more likely candidate, is a boring speaker. Communicating for a Change is Andy Stanley’s effort to eradicate the Sunday morning nod from your local church. He offers a seven-step process to help speakers engage their audience in a more powerful way.

The book begins with a made-for-Hallmark story where a struggling pastor unites with a truck-driving evangelist who imparts a lifetime worth of road wisdom. Each of Stanley’s seven points are offered up in a way that is clear and mildly amusing.  The author pokes fun at his own formula in the second part of the book where each of the seven imparities are described in full.

I would recommend reading this book for preachers and other public speakers. Stanley’s method is practical, flexible, and smart. His approach values strategy over spirituality as he describes the mechanics of preaching. It is a refreshingly honest and helpful guide written by one of the true masters of communication.