The 2023 Journey Survey on Preaching
In September, we invited Journey members and non-Journey members, vocational ministers (credential holders) and all Christians (non-credential holders) to participate in a survey on preaching in the Evangelical church in America today. The survey focused on two general areas:
1. FOCUS ONE: Sermon subjects – the emphasized and the overlooked;
2. FOCUS TWO: How frequently senior pastors address 40 central doctrines.
In this article, we present the results of the second focus: frequency. Sermons emphasized and overlooked will be presented in a subsequent article.
Our sincere appreciation goes out to everyone who participated. Your thoughtful responses are helpful and illuminating.
RESPONDENTS’ DEMOGRAPHICS:
1. QUESTION: You are a part of which generation?
Generation X (1965-1989) – 19.3%
Baby Boomers (1946-1964) – 20.5%
Millennials (1981 – 1996) – 57.8%
Generation Z (1997 – 2012) – 2.4%
2. QUESTION: Are you a credentialed minister?
Yes: 75.5%
No : 24.5%
SERMON SUBJECT FREQUENCY
THE QUESTION WE ASKED OUR RESPONDENTS:
“For each of the classical Pentecostal doctrines in the list below, please assign a “Frequency Value” (each doctrine is a fundamental doctrine of major Pentecostal denominations today)”
Respondents were asked to answer not according to their own agreement or disagreement with each doctrine, but according to the issue of frequency alone: how frequently is each doctrine addressed in the preaching of lead/senior pastors in churches?
We present their responses in five sections.
First, which doctrines did all respondents say pastors are:
1. addressing too frequently;
2. addressing too infrequently:
3. addressing most appropriately in frequency?
Second, which doctrines did non-credential holders say pastors are
1. addressing too frequently;
2. addressing too infrequently:
3. addressing most appropriately in frequency?
Third, which doctrines did credential holders say pastors are
1. addressing too frequently;
2. addressing too infrequently:
3. addressing most appropriately in frequency?
Fourth, we compare the responses of credential-holders to non-credential holders
Fifth, the individual results for each of the 40 doctrines
I. ALL RESPONDENTS
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO FREQUENTLY BY THE PULPIT
Only one doctrine was selected by more than 50% of all respondents: God’s love
79.7% said God’s love is addressed either “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently.”
The next two doctrines respondents cited as addressed “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently”:
The Physical Resurrection of Jesus, and
Eternal Life for the Righteous.
Each of these doctrines was selected by 28.6% of all respondents, a full 51.1% fewer than those who cited God’s love as being addressed too frequently.
All Respondents’ Top Ten List
The doctrines respondents deemed to be addressed “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently” (expressed as a percentage of all respondents):
- 1. God’s love – 79.7%
- 2. (TIE) The physical resurrection of Jesus – 28.6%
- Eternal life for the righteous – 28.6%
- 4. (TIE) What is it to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? – 26.2%
- The Fruit of the Spirit – 26.2%
- 6. (TIE) The Church in worship – 25.0%
- Tithing and giving offerings – 25.0%
- 8. The Scriptures as The Truth – 23.8%
- 9. Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 22.6%
- 10. The Scriptures are the inspired Word of God – 21.4%
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO INFREQUENTLY BY THE PULPIT
In the area of doctrines addressed too infrequently, our survey delivered eye-opening results.
Of the 40 fundamental doctrines of major Pentecostal denominations, 24 of those were thought to be addressed either “a little too infrequently” or “far too infrequently” by 50% or more of all respondents.
In other words, according to a majority of our respondents, a full sixty per-cent of fundamental doctrines are not being sufficiently addressed by the pulpit today.
The One Doctrine Too Infrequently Addressed . . .
ESCHATOLOGY: The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth was found to be the fundamental doctrine least addressed by the pulpit with 90.5% of respondents saying it is addressed “a little too infrequently” or “far too infrequently”
In fact, six of the Top Ten “Too Infrequently” addressed doctrines were in the area of Eschatology, biblical teaching on future events. It seems the church wants to study the End Times and Eternity.
All Respondents’ Top Ten List
Respondents’ Top Ten List of Doctrines Preached “a little too infrequently” or “far too infrequently” (expressed as a percentage of respondents):
- 1. The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth – 90.5%
- 2. The Final Judgment of the wicked dead and their consignment to hell – 87.7%
- 3. New Heavens and New Earth – 84.6%
- 4. The Rapture of the Church – 82.2%
- 5. (TIE) The wrath of God against sin – 79.7%
- The evidences of Holy Spirit Baptism after the initial physical evidence – 79.7%
- 7. The Resurrection of those who have died in Christ – 78.5%
- 8. The Second Coming of Jesus – 77.4%
- 9. Divine healing in the Atonement – 74.0%
- 10. (TIE) The Ascension of Jesus & His seating at the right hand of the Father – 72.6%
- Tongues as the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit – 72.6%
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED APPROPRIATELY IN FREQUENCY
Only three doctrines were selected by more than 50% of all respondents as being addressed with appropriate frequency by the pulpit (expressed as a percentage of all respondents):
- 1. Faith in the person and work of Jesus on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 55%
- 2. (TIE) The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ – 50%
- Jesus’ sinless life on earth – 50%
Respondents’ Top Ten List
The Top Ten “Appropriate in Frequency” (expressed as a percentage of all respondents):
- 1. Faith in the person and work of Jesus on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 55%
- 2. (TIE) The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ – 50%
- Jesus’ sinless life on earth – 50%
- 4. The physical resurrection of Jesus – 45%
- 5. Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 44%
- 6. Eternal life for the righteous – 41%
- 7. (TIE) The Church as God’s agency for The Great Commission – 39%
- Repentance of sin as necessary to salvation – 39%
- 9. (TIE) The Virgin Birth of Jesus – 38%
- The Scriptures as The Truth – 38%
II. RESPONSES OF NON-CREDENTIAL HOLDERS ONLY
The perspectives of the pulpit and the pew are not always the same: pastors and their people sometimes have different ideas on that doctrines should be emphasized in preaching. This can vary from church to church, or even from season to season in the same church.
With this in mind, we chose to highlight the thoughts of respondents who are not credentialed ministers, hoping their view will give pastors needed insights as they plan and pray over their preaching. Here’s what non-credential holders had to say.
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO FREQUENTLY – NON-CREDENTIALED
Non-credential holders indicated they believe pastors preach these doctrines either “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently”(expressed as a percentage of all non-credentialed respondents):
- 1. God’s love – 84%
- 2. (TIE) Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 33%
- Eternal life for the righteous – 33%
- 4. (TIE) The Scriptures as The Truth – 30%
- The Church as God’s agency for The Great Commission – 30%
- The Scriptures as the authoritative rule of faith and practice – 30%
- The Scriptures are the inspired Word of God – 30%
- The Fruit of the Spirit – 30%
- 9. (TIE) Faith in the person and work of Jesus on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 21%
- The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ – 21%
Note again that one doctrine clearly stands out from the rest: God’s love. A full 84% of non-credential holders told us this doctrine is addressed either “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently.” The next doctrine in the over emphasized list – a tie between Christ’s Substitutionary Death and Eternal Life for the Righteous – was cited by only 33% of non-credential holders, a full 51% less than the doctrine of God’s love at 84%.
It’s not that believers do not want to hear the doctrine of God’s love addressed and explained from the Scriptures, but that this doctrine has become an obsession of the pulpit to the exclusion of other fundamental doctrines. This is evident in the results of our survey. Believers affirm this doctrine, but believe it needs to be addressed in balance with other doctrines (see below).
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO INFREQUENTLY – NON-CREDENTIALED
Fifty percent or more of non-credential holders indicated that 17 of the 40 fundamental doctrines (42.5%) are not being addressed frequently enough, either “a little too infrequently” or “far too infrequently” (expressed as a percentage of all non-credentialed respondents). In other words, over 50% of non-credential holders want their pastors to address these seventeen doctrines more often:
- 1. The Final Judgment of the wicked dead and their consignment to eternal hell – 92%
- 2. The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth – 88%
- 3. The Resurrection of those who have died in Christ – 84%
- 4. (TIE) The Second Coming of Jesus – 79%
- The wrath of God against sin – 79%
- 6. The Rapture of the Church – 75%
- 7. (TIE) New Heavens and New Earth – 75%
- Tongues as the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit – 75%
- Evidences of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit after the initial evidence of tongues – 75%
- 10. (TIE) A divinely-called vocational ministry for leading the Church – 71%
- Personal holiness – 71%
- Divine healing in the Atonement – 71%
- 13. Church ordinances – 67%
- 14. Regeneration required for salvation – 63%
- 15. (TIE) The Ascension of Jesus & His seating at the right hand of the Father – 58%
- Justification as necessary to salvation – 58%
- 17. The Baptism IN the Holy Spirit – 54%
III. RESPONSES OF CREDENTIAL HOLDERS ONLY
Having heard the perspective of the pew, what of the pulpit? How did vocational ministers, most of whom are preaching on a weekly or regular basis, respond to our questions?
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO FREQUENTLY – CREDENTIAL HOLDERS
Credential holders indicated they believe pastors preach these doctrines either “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently”(expressed as a percentage of all credential-holding respondents).
Only one doctrine, “God’s love,” was cited by more than 50% of credential holders.
- 1. God’s love – 51%
- 2. (TIE) The physical resurrection of Jesus – 19%
- What is it to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? – 19%
- Tithing and giving offerings – 19%
- 5. Eternal life for the righteous – 18%
- 6. The Church in worship – 17%
- 7. (TIE) The Church as God’s agency for The Great Commission – 16%
- The Fruit of the Spirit – 16%
- 9. The Scriptures as The Truth – 14%
- 10. (TIE) Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 13%
- Faith in the person and work of Jesus on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 13%
DOCTRINES ADDRESSED TOO INFREQUENTLY – CREDENTIAL HOLDERS
Fifty percent or more of our respondents who are credential holders said 8 of the 40 fundamental doctrines (20%) are not being addressed frequently enough in preaching and teaching by the pastor. In our study, they indicated that these doctrines are addressed either “a little too infrequently” or “far too infrequently” (expressed as a percentage of all credentialed respondents):
- 1. The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth – 58%
- 2. New Heavens and New Earth – 56%
- 3. The Rapture of the Church – 55%
- 4. The Final Judgment of the wicked dead and their consignment to eternal hell – 54%
- 5. Evidences of the Spirit Baptism that come after the initial physical evidence – 52%
- 6. (TIE) The Ascension of Jesus & His seating at the right hand of the Father – 51%
- The wrath of God against sin – 51%
- 8. The Resurrection of those who have died in Christ – 50%
- 9. (TIE) Divine healing in the Atonement – 49%
- The Second Coming of Jesus – 49%
IV. COMPARISON: CREDENTIALED VS NON-CREDENTIAL
DOCTRINES PREACHED TOO FREQUENTLY
CREDENTIALED RESPONDENTS:
- 1. God’s love – 51%
- 2. (TIE) The physical resurrection of Jesus – 19%
- What is it to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? – 19%
- Tithing and giving offerings – 19%
- 5. Eternal life for the righteous – 18%
- 6. The Church in worship – 17%
- 7. (TIE) The Church as God’s agency for The Great Commission – 16%
- 8. The Fruit of the Spirit – 16%
- 9. The Scriptures as The Truth – 14%
- 10. (TIE) Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 13%
- Faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 13%
NON-CREDENTIALED RESPONDENTS:
- 1. God’s love – 84%
- 2. (TIE) Substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross as payment for the sins of all – 33%
- Eternal life for the righteous – 33%
- 4. (TIE) The Scriptures as The Truth – 30%
- The Church as God’s agency for The Great Commission – 30%
- The Scriptures as the authoritative rule of faith and practice – 30%
- The Scriptures are the inspired Word of God – 30%
- The Fruit of the Spirit – 30%
- 5. (TIE) Faith in the person and work of Jesus on the Cross is the only way to salvation – 21%
- The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ – 21%
- Repentance of sin as necessary to salvation – 21%
- Fall of Man – all people in all history are conceived in sin – 21%
- The Church in worship – 21%
- What is it to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? – 21%
- Spiritual gifts – 21%
Of particular note, while credential holders and non-credential holders agree that God’s love is the doctrine preached “a little too frequently” or “far too frequently,” the degree of their feelings on the subject are vastly different. There is a variance of 33% between them:
51% of credential holders believe God’s love is preached too frequently;
84% of non-credential holders believe God’s love is preached too frequently.
DOCTRINES PREACHED TOO INFREQUENTLY
CREDENTIALED RESPONDENTS:
- 1. The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth – 58%
- 2. New Heavens and New Earth – 56%
- 3. The Rapture of the Church – 55%
- 4. The Final Judgment of the wicked dead and their consignment to eternal hell – 54%
- 5. Evidences of the Spirit Baptism that come after the initial physical evidence – 52%
- 6. (TIE) The Ascension of Jesus & His seating at the right hand of the Father – 51%
- The wrath of God against sin – 51%
- 8. The Resurrection of those who have died in Christ – 50%
- 9. (TIE) Divine healing in the Atonement – 49%
- The Second Coming of Jesus – 49%
NON-CREDENTIALED RESPONDENTS:
- 1. The Final Judgment of the wicked dead and their consignment to eternal hell – 92%
- 2. The Millennial Reign of Christ on earth – 88%
- 3. The Resurrection of those who have died in Christ – 84%
- 4. (TIE) The Second Coming of Jesus – 79%
- The wrath of God against sin – 79%
- 5. (TIE) The Rapture of the Church – 75%
- Speaking in tongues as the initial physical evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit – 75%
- New Heavens and New Earth – 75%
- Evidences of the Baptism in the Spirit that come after the initial physical evidence – 75%
- 9. (TIE) A divinely-called vocational ministry for leading the Church – 71%
- Personal holiness – 71%
- Divine healing in the Atonement – 71%
While credential holders and non-credential holders do not agree on the #1 doctrine that is being addressed too frequently, they do agree overall that doctrines in the area of eschatology – teaching on end times and eternity – are those needing more attention by the pulpit.
For credential holders and non-credential holders as well, 6 of their top 10 “too infrequently addressed” doctrines were in eschatology. (Doctrines in Eschatology are italicized below)
V. THE 40 FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES CHARTS
THE CHART KEY:
“5” means the topic is addressed far too much,
“4” means the topic is addressed a little too much,
“3” means the topic is addressed neither too much nor too little, but appropriately,
“2” meaning the sermon is addressed a little too infrequently,
“1” meaning the topic is rarely or never addressed.
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