Here are 10 things that YOU can do to make your pastors sermons better…
1. If your pastor is currently doing something ministerial that is not biblically pastoral in nature (primarily praying and teaching), then either you do it, or find someone else who will. Imagine if your pastor had five or ten more hours to prepare each of his sermons per week. Of course they will be better! You will be amazed.
2. Listen attentively as if your listening is an act of worship, because it is. When you listen to God’s Word in submission, you are worshipping God. Whenever you don’t, you’re not worshipping God; and yes, it is sinful for you to ignore the Word of God when it is being preached or taught regardless if your pastor is keeping your attention or not.
3. Remember that the sermon is not another media outlet for you to feed your thirst for entertainment. Don’t “turn the channel” because you’re not being entertained. Furthermore, don’t expect your pastor to do in 10 or less hours of preparation a week what television stations spend millions of dollars on, and hire teams to accomplish: keeping your attention.
4. If possible, get a good night sleep on Saturday night. Do you know how hard it is to engage a zombie?
5. Pray for your pastor periodically; and let him know on a regular basis that you pray for him. It will encourage him.
6. Don’t keep looking at the cute baby while your pastor is preaching. Don’t you know that a baby is less-interesting than the Word of God? Can you not play with the baby after worship? Your pastor can see you! Furthermore, don’t be talking during the sermon; and if someone walks in late, don’t look at them! Focus on the Word of God.
7. If you have an issue with your pastor, or another issue that he will not enjoy, then wait until after he is finished preaching before you bring it to his attention. He needs to focus on his most-important task: feeding Christ’s sheep.
8. Evaluate the sermon based on the Bible’s criteria for a sermon, not what your criteria or someone else’s criteria might be. Share with your pastor if you believed that he faithfully preached the Word; it will encourage him. If your pastor is like me, he will feel like a failure over 90% of the time that he steps out of the pulpit; and the other 10% of the time that he feels good is because of arrogance.
9. Attend church consistently. Whenever you miss church, even periodically, the thought crosses your pastor’s mind that you are not there because of him or his preaching. If you know that you will miss a Sunday beforehand, let him know. It will help him focus more on preaching instead of considering thoughts crossing his mind concerning why you’re not at church.
10. Don’t go to sleep. Get up and leave before you go to sleep if you cannot stay awake. Your pastor can see you; and the people around you can see and hear you.
What do you think? What would you add to or take away from this list?
Chris Roberts (75)
Dave Miller (63)
Bob Hadley (60)
Debbie Kaufman (49)
dr. james willingham (48)
Les (41)
Christiane (30)
cb scott (29)
Bill Mac (27)
Rick Patrick (27)
Hi Jared,
Your list is good. I can think of one thing to add, but it may not crack the top ten. We need to intentionally develop good relationships with our pastor so that when we praise or (if the occasion ever arises) we criticize, the words will have more meaning. I know it means so much more to hear affirmation or correction from someone I know well, love, and trust than it does a person who doesn’t know my heart.
I know this is not always possible, but we (the members of the congregation, as I am not a pastor) should make double effort to get to know our pastors as more than pastors but as fellow brothers in the Lord as well. That way, our counsel and exhortation can be better informed and in turn, received in hopefully a better spirit–from a friend, not just another church member.
Jim G.
Jim, I agree with your point. Due to the flesh, the evil one, and our evil world, it will be very tempting for a pastor to react negatively toward intended constructive criticism. He may receive it as mere criticism instead of as constructive criticism. A loving relationship with the constructive criticizer will definitely help him receive the criticism in love.
Something else I’ve noticed is that people receive your sermons based on their view of you. If someone doesn’t like you, he or she will receive your sermon in the worst possible light. I remember preaching one sermon that made two elderly ladies cry: one in joy, another in anger. How could these two ladies that were around the same age receive my same words and inflection in two totally different ways? One loved me and viewed me positively, and the other loved me, but viewed me negatively. This is why pastors must make sure that their congregation knows that they love them. We must make every possible effort outside the pulpit to communicate this love so that they will receive this love from the pulpit as well.
Right…and it is likewise our (non-pastors’) responsibility to communicate the love to you. The road definitely goes both ways.
I would even state that the responsibility begins with us. We call pastors into our churches as strangers. We have confidence that you (not necessarily meaning you personally, but pastors as a whole) can do the job well, else we would not have called you. A new pastor is a relative stranger in a local body. We must make the first move to welcome and show real love. We are inviting others into our hospitality. We need to offer ourselves in vulnerability. But, again, maybe that’s just me speaking as a non-pastor.
Jim G.
“2. Listen attentively as if your listening is an act of worship, because it is. When you listen to God’s Word in submission, you are worshipping God. Whenever you don’t, you’re not worshipping God; and yes, it is sinful for you to ignore the Word of God when it is being preached or taught regardless if your pastor is keeping your attention or not.
”
Does this apply to Joel Osteen? Or even Rick Warren now that he is Piper’s pal?
“. Attend church consistently. Whenever you miss church, even periodically, the thought crosses your pastor’s mind that you are not there because of him or his preaching. If you know that you will miss a Sunday beforehand, let him know. It will help him focus more on preaching instead of considering thoughts crossing his mind concerning why you’re not at church.”
You must not preach in many mega churches.
)
Lydia, if whoever you’re listening to is preaching the Word, then listen attentively. You however also have a responsibility to filter everything you hear even if you believe your pastor is more faithful than Osteen or Warren. We are not to despise prophecies, but to test everything; holding fast what is good; and abstaining from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22).
Finally, I’ve never preached in a mega church; and I probably never will
. I’d be happy to preach in one, but no one is calling 
. Maybe they just don’t know my number?
I tend to avoid anything that begins with 10 things I can do…..
Debbie, but you didn’t avoid this article? Or, at least commenting on it? Is it like a moth to a flame? Or, like when someone smells soured milk, and they pass the milk around for everyone else to smell, and you know it smells, but you just can’t help but smell it?
I said something because people read this and some will write this down and tend to try and do them. It puts an unnecessary burden where none should exist. The church door is open to anyone, sleeping or not, distracting or not. People get distracted because they let themselves be distracted.
God’s word can read anyone, including those who “distract.” The reasons for sleeping could be many, overnight workers, those who have worked a lot during that week, had a hard time sleeping the night before, etc. They are welcome in my opinion.
To put an added burden on people is totally wrong. Just preach the word and let God take care of the rest. I am not responsible for making a preacher’s sermon “better” nor is anyone else. All are welcome to the house of God. It’s not about you, it’s all about worshiping God and emphasizing Christ. Thus I commented. I stand by it fully,or I wouldn’t use my name taking full responsibility.
That should be in paragraph 2, God’s word can reach anyone.
Debbie, any of these people are welcome. The point is that there is an equal responsibility to listen as there is to preach the Word. If we desire to say that our pastor is boring, or “I’m not getting fed,” or whatever, we must first examine whether or not we are active listeners. The fact is that Jesus Christ Himself would bore many people in our pews today, were He to preach to them. If you don’t love the Word of God, then even faithful preaching will bore you.
I don’t see how telling people to listen actively and intentionally when the Word is preached is “an added burden.” If the Bible is God’s Word, then God Himself demands those who hear it, to listen to Him. When a pastor preaches the text as God intended, where he speaks, God speaks. Same goes with anyone else that teaches God’s Word faithfully. We should listen actively as an act of worship when God’s Word is being proclaimed regardless who is teaching, how they’re teaching, whether or not we’re being entertained, etc.
I think you’re finding quarrel with my article that isn’t present in what I’ve written. You’re reading into it IMO.
If I left every time I thought I was about to fall asleep, I’d never attend church. It matters not how much sleep I get the night before, nor how fascinating the sermon, nor how hard I fight. I used to feel badly because of those around me and the pastor, but I’ve come to accept that this is just one of those things that gets to embarrass me.
Jeremy, can you sit behind everyone; of, possibly stand up during the sermon? Do you have a sleep disorder?
I have no idea why I am like this. I just am. I pay very close attention to my sleep patterns, especially on Saturday nights. I don’t work the graveyard shift. I don’t have an infant in my home. I am not bored with the sermon.
My main comfort is this: when it is my turn to teach, I understand when others doze off. It is not a choice most of the time (I think). The brain and body will do what they choose to do in that case.
I don’t take it personally, and I truly struggle to understand why other pastors get so personally upset at people who fall asleep.
But that’s just me.
Hi Jeremy
I am pretty sure you will have heard what I am about to write, but here goes. Have you ever tried to convince someone of an issue and it seemed like you were talking to yourself( this is what I believe the Pastors feel). A pastor is passionate about his position and what I believe Jarrod to be conveying is certain things we as members do or can do to assist the pastor. He is a man just like us and he struggles just like we do.
On the other hand I myself was a sleeper!! I remember a friend saying when your restless open the Bible and you will fall fast asleep. You state the precautions you take to prepare yourself and your Love for the Word so here is my suggestion.
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the nature of the issue.
The bible says in Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge( your pastor is there to equip you effectively with the Word) and the enemy wants us to remain ignorant.
You are in my prayers and stay encouraged to get to the root of the matter.
GOD Bless
Peace/Healing in the name of Jesus
I’d leave out walk out if you’re sleepy. It’s much more distracting to me and to others for you to get up and leave then it is for you to nod off. And I’d rather see old Bro. Bob nod off every week then have him walk out every week—eventually he’ll stay once, like he stays awake once, and that will become a “Well, the sermon wasn’t boring today” cue. So, I’d rather you doze where you are.
Remember the story of the mother asking her little girl why it was important to be quiet in church? The little girl said “It’s because people are sleeping!”
I’d add (and this will take us pastors guiding the church to provide this time): Ask questions about the sermon. Ask about what was in, what was out. Shoot, ask me for the source of that cute little story or that historical illustration. That keeps me aware that: 1. You’re listening; 2. I’m not going to get away with any slacking; 3. You’re engaged with the content; 4. I’m going to be accountable for what I say. This helps me preach better because I know I cannot just broadcast or pontificate and move on.
I’d also add: bring your Bible. That way if the sermon is way off-topic, too much rambling, or just another political broadside, you have something of value to do: engage with God’s Word on your own. And if you find yourself doing that every week for a month or two, you need to talk with your pastor and see if you’re really in the right place (as in—is it really a church or a political/social/religious club that you need to leave and join with a church?). But that leads to a whole ‘nother discussion.
Doug, about walking out, I suppose it depends on where they’re sitting. A friend of mine pastors a church where the only bathroom is behind the pulpit.
He said it took some getting used to; thought someone was coming forward for salvation, but he bypassed the pastor, altar, and went straight for the door that lead to the bathroom.
People asking questions of the sermon is great. I’m asked questions sometimes. There are several in my church that are very knowledgeable about Scripture. Some of them have been believers for over 70 years. I also think it’s important to record your sermons. There’s further accountability since what you’re preaching is being recorded and can be pointed to in the future if you are in error. Of course, the ultimate reason we should preach faithfully is because God is watching us, and expects us to handle His Word accurately in order to feed His sheep.
Finally, hopefully southern baptist pastors preach the Word instead of various political agendas or hobby horses. The goal should be to preach the text in front of us unto the glory of God.
Re: #10
I think we need a video ministry in the church to plaster videos of all the people who slept through the sermon on the big screens… after the service, of course.
I heard that my pastor once said that he sometimes thinks his job is to talk in other people’s sleep. It’s hard to believe because if you sleep during his preaching, then you must be dead because he is known all over town for his solid biblical preaching. You don’t get a rep like that by putting people to sleep. My kids even pay attention to him because they mention his sermons to each other: “You heard what Pastor Skip said…”
Jim, I once dreamed I was preaching.
I woke up to find that I was
But, I’ve gotten at least a little better at it since then.
My sleeping in church has far more to do with me than with the content of the sermon or the skill of the preacher. The pastor does not put me sleep; there are other factors that are independent of the guy bringing the message.
And trust me, I hate it. I’m thrilled every time I manage to stay awake through the sermon.
I’ll preface my comment with this first – when my Dad was healthy enough to come to church, he always fell asleep during my sermon. Often he’d tell me how good it was. I’ll never call somebody out for sleeping during my sermon, not even if they snore. I’ll let the Holy Spirit deal with them. Maybe part of the message will reach them subliminally? That being said, the list is great. I’ve spent more years preaching in jail than in a church sanctuary. The unexpected responses and actions of inmates softened my attitude to how people behave in church. All in all, I have observed, that the inmates overall are better than typical church people. I’ve never had an inmate doze off. Inmates are more faithful in attendance and bringing Bibles. They also tend to participate more in the singing part of worship even though we have no instruments to lead with.
I find it interesting that pastors are expected to do alot in preparation to preach but some commenters are upset that we would simply like them to stay awake, open their Bibles and actively listen. Unfortunately it is a result of our entertainment minded culture as you sort of pointed out in your article.
I don’t know . . . sometimes men work three jobs, like my Pop did when we were young. And if they have the strength to get themselves to Church, and bring their families . . . if God gives them a chance to rest there in His Care, maybe it’s not such a terrible sin for a tired man to fall asleep for a moment inside a sanctuary.
People have done far worse awake inside sanctuaries.
I think there is an added responsibility to listen actively when the Word of God is being proclaimed. It’s not about respect for the speaker, it’s about respect for the Author of the book the speaker is preaching. There will be bad sermons, boring sermons, long sermons, dry sermons, etc., but the Word of God is always the Word of God; and it demands our attention any time it is proclaimed faithfully.
Thus, I think people should do their best to stay awake. I don’t care if people fall asleep. I realize I’m boring. I almost put myself to sleep sometimes; but, if you love the Word of God, it should garner your attention. I realize that we are weak; but, we simply must do our best to actively listen, to make ourselves listen to the Word of God when it’s proclaimed.
BTW: At what point do we teach the children and youth in our churches that God’s Word by its very nature demands their attention? If we try to grip their attention by degrading the Word, trying to make it entertaining, valuable to sinners, etc., then we do a great disservice to the Word. We must teach children, teens, and adults that the value of the Word of God is not bound up in its cool stories; but in its source: God Himself.
Jared, doesn’t your Church stand up when the Gospel is read from during the service ?
Christiane, no, they don’t stand up when the gospel is read from during service. I don’t stand up when I read the gospel in private either. Why do you ask?
I thought that might it help to keep those ‘sleepers’ awake.
Ha! I don’t know if it would or not. Sometimes, people sleep for whatever reason
. They do better on Sunday nights though.
Let me try to add some clarity to my view and conviction on the issue. Again, let me preface it with this – I’m not going to call out sleepers privately or publicaly. I’ll rejoice that God sent them my way one day. They must be coming back for a reason, and it’s certainly not because the pews are so comfortable.
Now, for my personal conviction. I can recall specifically coming home after a particularly hard Friday in my secular job (I’m bi-vocational). After supper and chores and such, I flipped on the Xbox 360 and gamed until 4 am. At times I was sleepy, but never fell asleep. I was fully engaged and stimulated by what I was doing. I felt personally somewhat convicted shortly thereafter with this: have I ever stayed up to 4 am praying or studying the word?
I am not condeming video games or leisure time. I am questioning our ability to stay awake for our favorite game, TV show, etc. but unable to stay awake during church. Certainly an unusually late night at work, illness and other very legitimate reasons can contribute to this. I just want each of us to approach worship of the Lord with the vitality and excitement we do in other areas of our life.
The unfortunate result of all of this that I see in many churches is making worship “more entertaining.” Church becomes more like a Vegas variety show than a time of reverent worship. That’s not the solution. I hope this helps each of us think more about why we act the way we do in church. I’d rather you be sleeping in my church than sleeping in on Sunday morning
Randy, you make some great points. We must be actively involved in listening to the Word of God. It is not the pastor’s or teacher’s job to engage us. The Word of God engages us every time it is read.
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