Category Archives: Traits for Ministry

How Jesus spoke flowed out of who Jesus was.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Lk. 6:45)

How We See Authenticity in Jesus Out of What’s In His Heart

Because Jesus was pure and sincere (Heb. 7:26), He did not use manipulative tactics in His communication.  He refused to use flattery to get the religious leaders to follow Him.  Jesus didn’t candy-coat what it would be like to be His disciple when people asked about it just to bump up the number of followers.

Because Jesus was true, truth itself (Jn. 14:6), He could not be deceptive in His communication.  He told the disciples what to expect.  Jesus even told them how He genuinely felt (i.e., grieved in spirit).  He said what was hard for people to hear rather than try to smooth it over to make them feel better.

Because Jesus was humble, gentle, and meek (Matt. 11:29), He was not pretentious or pompous in His communication.  He spoke in ways people would understand, not using high and lofty words just so people would realize how great He was.

The Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders contains this content along with some implications for church leaders about communicating authentically.

Jesus welcomed all people, willing to engage in conversation with them.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

How We See Jesus Approachable

Though God Himself in the flesh, Jesus did not hold Himself aloof but rather freely communicated with fallen human beings. He welcomed anyone from tax gatherers and sinners to the self-righteous religious leaders. At either side of the spectrum, these were people who were far from God. How He communicated varied based on who it was but He still permitted all to come to Him.

Though born a Jew, Jesus engaged in communication with Samaritans and Gentile people who approached Him.

Though His ministry primarily focused on adults, Jesus had no problem relating with children as well.  The disciples were the ones who tried to hinder them from coming to Him but Jesus said, “Let the little children come.”

You’ll find this content in the Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders along with three implications of Jesus’ example for church leaders.

Jesus communicated to the masses yet still found time for the individual.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Ways Jesus Made Himself Available

Jesus spoke to crowds of at least 4,000 to 5,000. Between his speaking schedule, training of the Twelve, healing and miracles, Jesus was one busy person. He was on a mission, clear on His purpose. Yet, He was not so busy or so intent on meeting His agenda that He didn’t have time to communicate with individuals as well as the masses.

In addition to the content on this page, the Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders considers implications of this specific aspect for leaders.

Jesus communicated from the vantage points of both God and man.  Read through the Gospels and you will find the following aspects of Christ-like communication:

Jesus’ Awareness of People’s Needs Guided His Communication

Many accounts in the Gospels show Jesus addressing people’s concerns before they spoke. In other situations, Jesus was a step ahead of what they were saying, ready to take the conversation to the next level. He had an awareness of people’s needs that enabled Him to communicate in ways that truly spoke to the moment. He was aware of their thoughts and what was in their hearts. Consider Luke 5:17-26 —

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.'” (Lk. 5:20)

Notice that Jesus “saw” their faith. Friends of a paralytic man went to great effort to bring this man to Jesus. Scripture does not record the paralytic lowered through the roof saying a word, nor his friends. Jesus didn’t have to be God to know they had faith. He observed their actions.

“The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked …” (Lk. 5:21-22)

How did Jesus know what they were thinking? Certainly the God-factor enabled Jesus to know people’s thoughts. They might have had stern looks on their faces and arms folded tightly in front of them. Scripture does not say. Or, maybe He noticed who was before Him — Pharisees and teachers of the law. Aware of their backgrounds, Jesus would know the kind of reaction His comment would evoke within them.

The Christ-like Communication Guide for Church Leaders contains the content on this page along with implications of this specific aspect of Christ-likeness for church leaders.