Impossible Christianity Quotes

“Part of the problem is the way many pastors talk about these things. As a preacher, I know how to deliver a sermon so that everyone feels convicted. It’s tempting to think that every good sermon leaves every Christian feeling guilty for something. So every sermon about holiness leaves everyone feeling unholy. Every sermon on prayer makes people feel guilty for not praying more. Every sermon on evangelism causes the whole congregation to squirm in supposed disobedience. That’s not healthy preaching, and it doesn’t make for healthy congregations. After more than twenty years in pastoral ministry, I now make a point to tell people in my sermons, “Many of you are being faithful in prayer.” “I see marks of godliness in most of you.” “Some of you are great examples of sharing your faith.” Too often, pastors preach what they don’t really mean. They don’t really think everyone is failing in every way, but they’ve learned to preach that way because it feels powerful and, truth be told, some people like it. As a result, God’s people are trained to conclude that because they could always do more (of some good discipline or practice), they are not doing enough.”
― Kevin DeYoung, Impossible Christianity: Why Following Jesus Does Not Mean You Have to Change the World, Be an Expert in Everything, Accept Spiritual Failure, and Feel Miserable Pretty Much All the Time