Steve Brown, a long-time pastor and speaker with Key Life Ministries, offers this advice:

Tell people you're human

Some people have no idea what goes on in a pastor's life, so we may need to challenge their stereotypes. I'll mention in the pulpit, " A man said to me, 'Reverend, some day I'm going to take you out and show you the real world.' I said, 'I see more of the real world in a week than you'll see in a lifetime.' "

Don't violate your personality

To be respected, we must use well our natural gifts. Someone once asked an ambassador, a short, frail man, why he talked quietly whenever he was with important people. " When a big man shouts, people take him seriously, " he said. " When a little man shouts, he just looks silly. So I talk quietly. "

Be straight with people

In stewardship sermons, I might begin by saying, " You know all about the missionaries we support, about how our church reaches out to the homeless. " But then I'll pause and say, " Now let me get honest for a minute. If you don't support this ministry, I don't get paid. So this subject has extreme existential importance to me! " I know a lot of people are thinking it's self-motivated to ask for money for the church, so I address it directly.

Don't be afraid to make contrarian statements

Sometimes only by shaking people can we get them to take the gospel seriously. In an evangelistic appeal, I might say, " Right now, I don't care about the millions going to hell, " then pause. I continue, " Right now, I care about you, because I know you. "

Steve Brown is president and radio teacher for "Key Life," professor of preaching at Reformed Theological Seminary, in Orlando, Florida, and author of Approaching God.