Word Count: 328 – Est Reading Time: <2 Minutes 828
What’s Up:
Your neighbors aren’t rejecting Jesus; they’re rejecting what they think your church represents.
So What:
Church leaders are wringing their hands about decline, but if we’re being honest, the church’s reputation problem is largely self-inflicted.
The Point Is:
The Reputation Problem Is Real
No, it’s not just the media. When church leaders fall and abuse power, it confirms what outsiders already suspect. Pastor, get accountable, or get out of the pulpit.
The Preaching Isn’t Working
Music style isn’t the problem. The problem is lifeless lectures. Your sermons need to solve real-world problems. Your pulpit isn’t a podium … it’s a launchpad.
No One’s Inviting
You can’t blame members for their silence. Years of rejection will do that. If you want guests, Pastor, the first invitations have to come from you. There’s a visitor-pump that’s just begging to be primed.
Give People a Reason
If your next sermon series addresses their pain, people will come. But until then, all you’re offering is another hour they’ll never get back.
And … ?
Let’s stop pretending this is all a misunderstanding. It’s not. The church’s public image has been shredded by scandal, irrelevance, and condescension. We didn’t get here by accident. Our neighbors don’t avoid church because they hate God. They avoid church because they think they already know what they’ll get: judgment, boredom, and zero value for their time. And most of the time, they’re right.
But you can fix that. Start with the message. Fix your preaching. Trade your academic deep-dives for real-world application. Address their fears, hurts, and frustrations. Offer answers, not abstractions. When the sermons are relevant, people take notice. When people take notice, members have something to talk about. And when members talk, guests show up. Until then, it starts with you. Get out of your office. Shake some hands. Invite real people to hear what matters.
Action! Book a Get Growing Conversation now and start fixing what’s broken: https://go.effectivechurch.com/get-growing
