How to Avoid Boring Your Congregation
Preaching That Makes a Difference – Part 1
Every Lead Pastor would tell you their primary role in leading a church is to preach! In fact, the quality of preaching is often the primary reason people decide to attend a church or not. Therefore, it behooves every Lead Pastor to continue to grow and fine-tune their preaching skills. One of the worse things a Lead Pastor can do to their congregation is to become stagnant and boring. So what are some ways a Pastor can improve their preaching skills?
During this 6-part series, I will explore some simple and practical ways that can help every pastor become a more effective Preacher.
Today, I want to talk about the importance of a Good Introduction. I truly believe a good introduction can actually make or break a sermon because it becomes the place where people will engage or check out. It will be the place where people will determine if they are interested in what a preacher has to say. It is more than just a way of saying good morning, it can actually determine the trajectory and effectiveness of a sermon.
Before we get into a discussion about good or bad introductions, I think it is important to define the role of an introduction. “I believe an introduction should give the congregation a reason to listen.” If this is done effectively, it should create an interest in what is about to be discussed. Think of it more like an advertisement for what you are going to talk about. You want people looking forward to your message, not checking out.
One of the most effective ways to achieve a good introduction is to create an intriguing question that you are going to answer in your sermon. If this is accomplished, people will be interested and want to hear what is going to be said. For example, if a Pastor says, “This morning we are going to start a 4-part series on the names of God, so please turn in your Bibles to…” Notice how this doesn’t give a reason why I should listen. It merely states what will be said, but not why we are saying it or why it is important. This is when pastors often fool themselves into thinking a congregation cares as much about a topic as they do. Well, they don’t until they are told why they should listen.
Consider the alternative, let’s say a Pastor starts with a story about his name on an airline ticket not matching the name on his driver’s license. He describes the confusion and misunderstanding that took place until the names were sorted out. Everyone can relate to this type of story. Then the Pastor goes on to say that this can happen in our Christian life. There can be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about following God until you sort out His names. “So this morning we are going to start a 4-part series on the names of God and how it will change your walk with Him”. Now I’m interested, and now I’m wondering about God’s names and how they can impact my life. Notice the first example didn’t ask a question or give a reason to listen, but the second example made a human experience connection and presented a question that the pastor will answer in the sermon.
Remember the more you give people a reason to listen, the more they will listen. Practicing this simple truth can be a game changer in how your audience stays engaged throughout a sermon. So give it a go this Sunday and see what a difference it will make.
Next time we will talk about how your “reason to listen” should impact your overall sermon outline.
Note: I’ve committed my life to the practice and art of preaching. I’ve been at it for almost 30 years, received my doctorate in preaching, and coached pastors around the country to help them become better communicators. If you would like to take your preaching to a new level of effectiveness, contact me and we can discuss some practical steps you can take to become a better preacher!