Preaching That Connects - Lessons on Reaching the Unchurched

“We didn’t choose the church because it was big or because it had a bunch of programs. We were just looking for answers. It was like the pastor was preaching right at us. We were both thinking, ‘How can this guy know what’s going on in our lives?’”

This story is similar to many interviews with the formerly unchurched. The formerly unchurched were unequivocal in their beliefs that preaching was key in bringing them to Christ and to the church. But how do the preachers view the role of preaching?

The pilgrimage of the formerly unchurched can be illustrated as follows:

• Non-interested
• Seeker
• Active Seeker
• Believer

On the rare occasions when a “non-interested” unbeliever heard a sermon, the formerly unchurched told us, the preaching typically had no impact. But when the believer began to seek religious truth, the sermons had some meaning. By the time the nonbeliever was an active seeker, attending church on a regular basis, the nonbeliever tended to hang on every word of the sermon, that is, “if the sermon was worth a flip.” What criteria determines if the sermon is indeed “worth a flip”?

The leaders whose churches are reaching the unchurched are passionate about preaching. Most of them, when asked about the call of God in their lives, refer to it as a “call to preach.” For them, preaching is their primary activity and calling.

The comparison of pastors of effective churches and other pastors is stark. Ninety-three percent of the pastors of effective churches named preaching as one of their most exciting tasks compared to 70 percent of the other pastors. 

How Do Preachers Connect with the Unchurched?

Biblical – More than any other factor, the leaders of the churches insisted that their sermons must first be biblical. The Bible’s authority is sufficient, and the biblical text must be the focus of the sermon. It is important to provide a good contextual understanding of the passages from which the sermon is preached.

Relevant – While the leaders of these effective churches would never compromise the biblical foundation of the sermons they preached, they also knew that the messages must connect with the hearers in their life situations.

Transparent – Many of the formerly unchurched shared with us about the transparency of the pastors of the churches where they eventually received Christ. One pastor said, “I don’t use the pulpit as a place of personal confession. I do let the people know that I’m like them, that I have struggles, that I’m human.”

Illustrative – Both the formerly unchurched and preachers of the effective churches agreed that the sermons they heard and preached make effective use of illustrations. Although illustrations are important, the Bible passage must remain central.

Well-Prepared – If time is a good measure, the leaders of effective churches prepare well for the sermons they preach each week. By a ratio of 5 to 1, the leaders of the effective churches spent significantly more time in sermon preparation than the other pastors.

One issue still lingers. For preaching to be effective, it must be heard, and the unchurched by definition are not in church. So how can preaching reach the unchurched?

“Unchurched” does not mean “never in church.” It is highly likely that an unchurched person will “try” your church at some point.

Effective preaching is a great motivator. Members are motivated to invite the unchurched.

While these leaders spend significant hours in sermon preparation each week, they also spend significant time dreaming, seeking God’s vision, setting goals, and doing the work necessary to reach people for Christ.

Rainer, Thom S., Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them, Grand Rapids, MI, Zondervan, 2001. Used by Special Permission