Lesson #3: Should I make MONEY as a Christian Speaker?

Ken and Danny, the leaders of the Professional Communicators Summit explained it like this:

Your Assets (those gifts and talents God has given you)
Determine
Your Product (your presentations, events, resources ie books, cds, etc.)
Determines
Your Market (who will want to benefit from what you are saying)
Determines
Your Value! Which brings me to the today’s topic…

The money issue!

I have spoken for women’s groups for 2 years. Last year I booked 8 gigs. This year, 18. If the Lord’s hand continues to be on my speaking, next year it will be more! Yay God!

But should I make money doing this? Well, the answer is simple. If I want to make money doing this and I get the go ahead from the Father, then I should go for it. And I do. And I did. I want to make some money. He said yes.

For the last two years I have not charged anything for speaking. I did some educational seminars in California a few years ago and I was paid because they offered a stipend. It was just the way it was done.

This year, every time I’ve spoken, the ministry leader has asked, “What do you charge?”

My response? “Nothing.”

I did this because I am just starting out my speaking career. And because many of the groups I’ve spoken to didn’t have a lot of extra money. But after two years, it is time to embrace the fact that I have a valuable gift. Even typing that makes me nervous.

The enemy is subtle and He loves to instigate the battle between false pride and false humility in Christians, especially Christian speakers or entertainers. It goes like this: I have a thought that says, “God has given me a talent to speak and I am good at it.” Immediately the enemy throws a thought like a tiny sharp needle in my ear. He whispers, “How can you be used by God if you are arrogant enough to think you are good.”

What a lie from the pit of hell!

The third lesson I learned last weekend at the Professional Communicator’s Summit: Make some money using your valuable assets.

So I am gonna. I’ll set a price for four types of events: MOPS, Women’s groups, luncheons/teas and retreats. I will stick to my price, unless God tells me to change it. I will be honest and make sure my integrity is in tact. I don’t want to be known as a speaker who charges this much for this group, but another group a different price.

I have a lot to learn in this area, but the first step is to believe that my speaking is valuable. Nothing wrong with making money doing it. Nothing at all.