Most Preaching Loses the Lost

What’s Up?
One of the top reasons unchurched people avoid church is simple: they find it boring and irrelevant.

So What?
Most church sermons are designed for those already sitting in the pews, not for the unchurched. That’s a problem when Sunday worship has become the primary front door to faith. If the message doesn’t meet people where they are, they walk away unchanged – or worse, they never come back.

The Point Is:

• Reformation Fallout – The educational sermon is a relic of a time when everyone was assumed to be Christian. That’s no longer the case.
• The Church’s Front Door Has Changed – People don’t come to church for a theology lecture; they come looking for hope in the middle of life’s crises.
• Real-World Preaching Matters – Sermons should address finances, marriage struggles, parenting challenges, and life transitions – all from a biblical perspective.
• Inspiration Over Information – People aren’t transformed by education alone. They need messages that inspire them to action, not just historical context and exegesis.

And …?
Let’s be honest: biblical literacy is an issue in the church. But the pulpit isn’t the best place for deep doctrinal education. That’s what Bible studies, small groups, and discipleship programs are for. The sermon, however, is uniquely positioned to ignite transformation. When an unchurched person visits your church, they aren’t looking for a Greek grammar lesson on Galatians – they’re looking for an answer to their struggling marriage, their financial stress, or their sense of purposelessness. If they leave without hope, you’ve lost them.

The good news? The Bible is full of practical wisdom that speaks directly to modern struggles. The challenge is crafting sermons that deliver these truths in ways that inspire action and faith. Biblically sound, doctrinally pure, and theologically informed preaching must also be relevant. If we want to reach the lost, our preaching must engage both head and heart.

Action!
This week, evaluate your sermon content. Is it reaching the people in crisis who walk through your doors? If not, it’s time to rethink the approach. Grab a copy of the Main Event Creation Map and discover the tools to up your unchurched-reaching sermon plans.