As I read this, I thought about all the people listening to our sermons. Surely, we’re trying to get them to change. But they are wired to stay the same—to resist—to just hear the sermon and go about their lives. Berger gives five big ideas for how to break through these roadblocks and REDUCE objections. • Reactance: People push back when pushed. So catalysts encourage them to persuade themselves. • Endowment: People are stuck to what they’re doing and don’t want to switch. Catalysts highlight how inaction isn’t costless. • Distance: People have an innate anti-persuasion system. New info must be within the zone of acceptance for them to listen.
• Uncertainty: This makes people pause. Catalysts reduce risk.
• Corroborating evidence: One person’s evidence is not enough. Catalysts find reinforcement. Whether you’re working on a sermon, trying to convince people to join a small group, or writing the church newsletter, there are some principles in this book that are really going to help you.