Every pastor asks this question—most likely on a regular basis. But after a British survey of 300 hearers of the Word from various denominations, preachers worldwide now have some extra incentive to rely more on the Holy Spirit for their sermons.
Researchers at Durham University's College of Preachers found that a whopping 96.6 percent of the 3.6 million people who regularly attend a church in England look forward to hearing a sermon each week. That's great news, as is the fact that 62 percent say those sermons frequently provide them with a better sense of God's love and a better understanding of who Jesus is.
Unfortunately, there's bad news too. Only 17 percent of those responding said the sermons they hear on a regular basis cause them to change their attitudes about others or give them a fresh perspective on tough issues. Bottom line: Only a fraction of those listening to preachers are actually moved to make external or internal life changes.
"The digital age isn’t killing off preaching, but what the survey suggests is that too much preaching is doing too little to motivate people to look at the world differently and therefore live in it differently," said Paul Johns, a director at the College of Preachers. "If that’s so, we have to question what we preachers are actually saying about the Bible and about contemporary issues, and how well we’re engaging with our congregations."
Though the survey wasn't large enough to allow researchers to make sweeping conclusions—nor does it reflect percentages within the American church—it does reveal a cultural dilemma that's relevant for preachers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Said research director Kate Bruce: "The people we surveyed said they wanted sermons which are biblical, but also relevant to contemporary life and issues, and in a culture which values entertainment and likes standup, over a quarter of them said they want preaching to be entertaining too." [timesonline.co.uk, 1/19/10; christiantoday.com, 1/25/10]
Comments
and Proverbs 27:23 says "Know well the condition of your flocks, And pay attention to your herds…"
Anyone who would ignore this information in the survey does so to the peril of ministering effectively to your people… it doesn't make the crowd "right" it simply tells what they are experiencing and thinking and everybody knows that "perception is reality"!
The reason that people are not changing ONLY from Sunday messages (sermons, preaching) is because they are NOT being DISCIPLED!
One on one discipleship is the model that we see over and over again in Scriptures, yet the modern church ignores this and our sheep are ignorant, in bondage and unchanged… they look exactly like the world.
And we think that a good message on Sunday morning should do the trick? or even worse: we blame it on the SHEEP?
Read Jeremiah 23 people… wow Quote
In the last days people will attend to their itching years and desire more entertaiment than anointing. The combination of the Holy Spirit manifested and the Word is the method aproved by heaven to do ministry. The Spirit softens the heart and truth is planted.
Faithful preachers, be encouraged, your labor of love shall surely be reawarded, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! Quote
One-on-One personal discipleship is what is needed for that job!
No, a Pastor can't do it alone, which is why we must raise up leaders using this model and teach them to do the same…
Everybody loves Matthew 28:19! We should start loving verse 20! Quote
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