The quality of preaching influences the development of grassroots churches. Especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply of God's word became the "anchor" that strengthened churches. However, this period also exposed certain weaknesses in the provision of sermons in churches, even becoming a catalyst for division and decline.
In recent years, many pastors have discussed the reasons behind the decline in sermon quality. They have pointed out that certain pastors have lost their passion for ministry, lack adequate training, or fall short in spiritual growth. Others believe that as believers' educational levels rise and spiritual resources become more abundant, their expectations for sermons have also increased, requiring pastors more time to improve and adapt.
During a Christmas visit, a pastor from Northwest China shared with me his unique insights and reflections on improving sermon quality from the perspective of the Holy Spirit.
Without the Holy Spirit, the Pulpit Becoming a "Void"
In the early 1990s, after graduating from Yanjing Theological Seminary, Pastor Ye returned to his hometown to provide sermons and began his ministry. Forty years have passed fast. Once teased by believers for his rustic appearance and tongue-tied speech, this "rural kid" has grown into a well-respected pastor, widely recognized across the province for his preaching abilities.
"What our pulpits lack most today is not theological theory or speech skills but something spiritual," said Pastor Ye. As one of the first batch of theological students after China's reform and opening-up, and a witness to four decades of urban and rural church transformations, he takes comfort in the theological progress of grassroots preaching but also holds concerns about certain excessive tendencies behind today's preaching ministry.
He recalled that during his time at Yanjing Theological Seminary, the senior pastors who taught them were not just known for their knowledge but for their devout lives, which deeply influenced their students. Daily devotionals, prayer, and service made their lives a living example.
"From them, I learned profoundly that the formation of a true saint and a pastor who follows Christ is not based on mere academic attainment but on a return to the purest form of the word and prayer."
"We cannot exalt anything out of the word and the Holy Spirit; otherwise, the church will head toward danger." Pastor Ye emphasized that seminaries provide knowledge, but how that knowledge transforms into spiritual vitality depends on pastors returning to prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance to convey God's word to believers. However, the uneven quality of preaching in grassroots churches today is due precisely to a lack of pursuit of the Holy Spirit, causing sermons to become shallow and moralistic.
For over thirty years, Pastor Ye has maintained a practice of praying in solitude before preparing his sermons, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance. He describes this experience as a "sponge immersed in anointing oil," being filled with the Holy Spirit so that God's word may flow out naturally.
Let the Entire Service Be Covered in the Holy Spirit
In his pastoral practice, Pastor Ye pointed out that Sunday sermons are a form of "one-way" pastoral care, meaning that pastors cannot fully grasp the spiritual needs of their congregation in advance. "Many believers themselves do not even know their true inner needs." Therefore, if pastors rely solely on their own wisdom, their sermons will often fail to address believers' true spiritual hunger.
He emphasized that in addition to seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance before preaching, pastors should also pray afterward the sermons to ask the Holy Spirit to move the listeners so that the truth takes root in their lives. Furthermore, pastors should also reflect on their own shortcomings in prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit's covering over the deficiencies in their sermons and guiding them into deeper truth.
"If we rely on human pride, pastors will perhaps never truly understand what kind of message believers need at any given moment."
Twenty years ago, he went to a grassroots church in a neighboring province to speak at a revival conference. Due to significant dialect differences, even daily conversations with the local pastors and church workers were challenging. It left him worried about whether his sermon could be understood well. However, after entrusting everything to prayer and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance, he personally witnessed the Holy Spirit working in miraculous ways. Despite his accent, his sermon moved many believers to tears of repentance, and many first-time seekers of the gospel decided to follow Christ on the spot.
"Spiritual work cannot be done through human pride; otherwise, sermons will feel empty and powerless."
Understanding the Holy Spirit Correctly in the Light of Biblical Truth
Due to historical factors and the uneven development of theological education, there are still differing understandings of the Holy Spirit among grassroots churches in China. Pastor Ye believes that the Holy Spirit must be clearly distinguished from extreme charismatic movements. Seeking the Holy Spirit is not about mystical experiences but about repentance, obedience, and commitment. Only through prayer and devotion can pastors truly hear God's voice and discern the direction of church growth.
In recent years, Pastor Ye has initiated several key revival ministries in his local church, including rural evangelistic conferences and Scripture-copying devotionals. These ministries are not driven by human strategies but are the result of unity in prayer among church coworkers under the Holy Spirit's guidance. As a result, this small-town church in central Shaanxi has experienced a new wave of gospel revival. In the coming year, Pastor Ye hopes to further strengthen these ministries.
"Churches today are experiencing a decline in attendance, but we cannot just stand by and watch as congregations dwindle. We must do something," Pastor Ye said. "If we rely only on ourselves, we truly have no way to turn things around. But with the Holy Spirit, we can accomplish far greater things."
- Edited by Karen Luo, translated by Charlie Li
