The "so what?" principle is all about application. 72 percent of Christ's words were words of application. If our preaching is not patterned on the greatest and most creative Communicator, something is wrong. Most of us struggle to communicate; we include too much content and too little application. When people leave the auditorium or sanctuary, they should not be saying, "So what?" or "Big deal!" They should be saying, "Wow, I get it! I need to make some changes in my life."

You are not teaching a seminary class with a focus on imparting information from a syllabus. The goal of preaching is life change. Preaching is an incredible challenge that requires sensitivity to the Bible and sensitivity to our culture. The Bible is already relevant. But you have to ensure that your message highlights and underscores that relevancy. Fill your message with points of application that are organized and communicated with the greatest potential impact possible, so that your congregation will be compelled to conform to the powerful truths found in Scripture.

To help prepare such messages, I use something called a mind or message map. If you are visually oriented like I am, I would encourage you to try it. I first learned about mind mapping from author Michael Gelb's Mind Mapping: How to Liberate Your Natural Genius. I have modified Gelb's method over the years, but I still develop what I call a mind map, which is the entire sermon on one legal size sheet of paper, front and back, in clockwise order starting at the top.

I used to painstakingly handwrite, color-code, and illustrate my mind maps. But now we use a computer to develop them. I still do quite a bit of color-coding and add handwritten notes to aid in memorization; however, the format has changed quite a bit from my earlier versions. About four years ago, someone on my staff developed a template in Microsoft Word to create this document electronically. I have heard that there is also mind-mapping software out there if you're interested in that. We have also made my mind maps for various message series available on CreativePastors.com when a "pastor's kit" is purchased.

The idea behind the mind map is that organizing your outline or word-for-word manuscript in a clockwise rotation aids in memory retention. Because of the way the mind stores and associates words and images, the map helps you quickly identify the big idea and major transitional phrases, illustrations, and sub points that flow from that big idea. The mind map has served as a very helpful visual cue to remind me of what the talk is all about, to aid in memorization (though I memorize only major elements and key phrases that I need to remember word for word), and to keep everything connected to that one big idea.

Sweat the Small Stuff

Often, the most important and powerful ingredients of an effective talk are tacked on at the very end of your preparation time, and the overall message suffers as a result. Those ingredients — titles, terms, intros and conclusions, transitions, and illustrations — deserve more time and energy.