One of the best ways to connect with another is to ‘talk their language’. Of course this can be literally true. Not being able to speak the language of another can make communication very difficult! But there is more to this than simply linguistic competency, for communication is more than words. One aspect of effective communication is relevance. If we, our words, and our message are perceived as relevant, we are much more likely to be listened to, and our words heeded. Being see as relevant often accompanies being seen as credible. People tend to trust more those who seem to know what they are talking about. For us as evangelists, knowing this is helpful, as it alerts us to the need for training and awareness. If we will take time to ensure that we know our subject (the Gospel), and to know the culture we are working in, this will greatly enhance our relevance and increase our effectiveness.
