Sermons with meat make congregations think. Instead of being bobble heads, we need to be challenged. Many people are longing for leaders who preach sermons with meat. What do I mean by sermons with meat? Sermons that are not afraid to talk about tough topics found in the Bible. Anyone can speak about some happy verses about loving your neighbor, but it takes a special kind of person to hit sins head on.
Why is it important to talk to your congregation about a tough topic? Because your congregation is going through tough times and they are looking at you and the Bible for answers. When pastors do not have sermons with meat, their congregation flees. You can only sit in a pew so long and have someone preach to you about tithing and being kind. If I sound a little blunt here, people don't want to hear about giving money and being nice. We all know what being nice looks like. Most people get tired of being badgered for money. So why do some Churches still beat the drums to the same chorus line Sunday after Sunday?
Weak leaders are the cause of meatless sermons. It is great that people want to make a career out of serving the Lord. Maybe preaching just isn't your calling. I don't know, only God knows. What I do know is when the congregation of a Church is leaving in droves, there is something wrong.
What are sermons with meat?
Sermons with meat talk about things that are relevant to the culture we live in. Here is a list of topics that the Church should be addressing.
- Heaven and Hell
- Divorce
- Adultery
- Depression and Anxiety
- Suicide
- Physical and mental abuse
- Drug and substance addiction
- Homosexuality
- Abortion
These are just a few of the many things out there that Churches should be talking about. Why should pastors talk about things of this list? Because there are members of their congregation suffering through theses trials in life. These people are sitting in your pews, and they want you to talk to them. They may have searched the internet for answers, or they may have asked a friend. The reason why these people are sitting in your pews is that they want you to talk about their issues.
So I hear over and over why are millennials leaving Church? Because they are seeking Biblical answers for the trials that they face in life. Some of these people are too afraid or ashamed to come out and ask someone for answers. As a pastor, your words matter. Your sermons matter. You cannot be everything to everyone, but you can be something to someone.
James 3:1 NASB Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.