Presentation Versus Content

In a past issue of the Preaching Now newsletter, Michael Duduit wrote: “As the father of two boys, I’m learning some of my most important lessons around the breakfast table.

For example, he wrote, “I have learned that the nutritional value of the cereal is of far less concern than the box: what’s on it and what’s in it. Is there something interesting to look at on the box, and/or does it have some special prize inside? If Jimmy Neutron is on the box, then it’s a keeper. (For those of you without small children, and who are thus culturally unaware of the latest cartoon celebrities, you’ll just have to trust me on this.)”

It appears that his boys consider presentation more important than content. While he knows that’s not true, he’s also learned that they’ll absorb some pretty nutritious content if the presentation gets their attention. They’ll even eat healthy stuff if it looks interesting enough!

This, I believe, is a great lesson for preachers and public speakers.