“The Art of Connection: Engaging Your Congregation through Purposeful Teaching” is a guest post by Don McCaig, who serves as a church consultant, leadership trainer, and financial planner. You can learn more about him below. To submit a guest post for consideration, learn more here.
“The preacher must never be dull, and he must never be boring… if he is dull, he is not a preacher.” – Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely. We’ve all been there—sitting through a sermon that’s theologically sound but feels more like a gentle nudge toward nap time. And while we may hesitate to admit it, we know that some sermons, though delivered with the best of intentions, are simply hard to stay engaged with. As preachers, the challenge isn’t whether we’re faithful to the Word, but whether our delivery invites our congregation to connect with it.
This doesn’t mean we need to turn our pulpits into stages for performance art. But if people are tuning out, nodding off, or staring blankly, it doesn’t matter how deeply we’ve studied or how robust our exegesis is—they’re not receiving the message. Preaching, at its core, is about bringing God’s Word alive in the hearts of our listeners. So if we want people to not only hear but feel the truth, we must first ensure that they’re fully tuned in.
The real question is: how do we maintain the depth and integrity of our message while keeping people awake and engaged? It’s a delicate balance, but one that can be achieved with some intentionality and effort. Here are three practical ways to bring more engagement to your sermons without sacrificing the richness of your content.
1. Focus on delivering the sermon as much as writing it
Many seminary classes prioritize the mechanics of writing a sermon, leaving little room for teaching the art of delivery. Yet, delivery is critical. You could write the most theologically sound sermon, but if you don’t deliver it with energy and clarity, your audience will miss out.
Great preachers know that how you say something is as important as what you say. Work on vocal variety—highlight key points with changes in tone or pace. Use body language to connect, and make eye contact. Practicing your sermon delivery, just like rehearsing a performance, can help you engage your listeners better.
And let’s be honest about sermon length. One reason some preachers lose their audience is that they try to stretch 20 minutes of material into a 45-minute timeslot. Instead of filling the time with repetition, poems, or unnecessary videos, it’s better to leave them wanting more. A tight, focused sermon can have a greater impact than a meandering, overly long one. That’s important for the art of connection.
Remember: it’s not about you. It doesn’t matter how clever you think your Greek exegesis is or how funny your story might be. Preaching is about glorifying God and equipping His people, not showcasing your own interests.
2. Get specific on the takeaway of the sermon
Whenever I coach someone in sermon prep, I ask them to summarize their sermon in one simple sentence. If they can’t do it, it’s a sign that they don’t fully grasp their material. If you can’t distill your sermon’s message into a single, clear thought, neither will your congregation.
Many preachers, especially those who do verse-by-verse exposition, struggle with this. They often include interesting details or tangential points that distract from the main message. It’s crucial to be disciplined in your editing. If something doesn’t serve the central takeaway, cut it.
Think of a sermon like a sculpture—what you leave out is just as important as what you keep. Too many ideas will dilute your message. Instead, regularly return to your main point throughout the sermon. Introduce it at the beginning, build upon it in the middle, and close with it at the end.
3. Make the sermon meaningful to the congregation
Your congregation’s attention is valuable, and it’s not enough to assume they’ll pay attention out of duty. You need to show them why what you’re saying matters to their lives.
One of the most important moments in any sermon is the first few seconds. If you drolly walk up to the pulpit, silently flip through your Bible, and mutter, “Turn to…” you’ve already lost them. You need to grab attention immediately. Start with something that piques curiosity or speaks directly to their struggles. Whether it’s using a personal story, a compelling question, or a cultural reference, the goal is to hook your listeners from the start.
Two methods I love for starting sermons are the Problem, Agitation, Solution model and the Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook approach. In the first method, you identify a problem, agitate it by making it more relatable, and then offer the biblical solution. For example, “Have you ever felt like you’re running on empty, waiting for life to slow down? Today, we’re going to look at how Jesus provides peace even in the midst of chaos.”
In the Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook method, you build up to your main point by providing a few smaller setups before landing the powerful conclusion. This keeps your listeners engaged as they anticipate the punchline or final point.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to address current issues. While it’s important to preach through books of the Bible, the art of connection requires that you be relevant to your congregation’s world. Jesus, Paul, and other biblical figures often addressed the pressing issues of their day, and we should do the same. Tackling real-life problems shows that Scripture isn’t just an ancient text—it’s living and active, speaking into the lives of your listeners.
Conclusion
Preaching is more than simply explaining Scripture; the art of connection is about connecting God’s Word to the hearts of people. By focusing on your delivery, refining your message, and making it relevant to your congregation, you can craft sermons that not only inform but transform. Don’t let your preaching be a chore to hear—make it an encounter with God that your listeners will carry with them into their daily lives.
Don McCaig is a church consultant, leadership trainer, and financial planner with nearly two decades of pastoral experience. He holds advanced degrees in theology, preaching, and leadership and is dedicated to equipping Christian leaders to grow spiritually and lead with excellence in their ministries.
