Stop Preaching to "Non-Christians"
I hate the word "non-Christian".
Christians use it all the time to describe people who are not Christians. For example, we might say something like, "I invited my non-Christian neighbor to church" or "My son is dating a non-Christian". And I guess that I am OK with using the word in that way. It's not a very elegant term, but it communicates an idea effectively enough.
But I hate it when preachers use the word in the course of their sermons. Many well meaning preachers at some point in their message will turn to address people who are not Christians and say something like, "If you here this morning and you are a non-Christian..." and then present them with some aspect of the gospel message.
This is unfortunate for two reasons:
- It's not a very kind or winsome way to identify someone who is presumably a guest in your service. Who wants to be identified as a "non-_____"? Unconverted people don't usually think of themselves in these terms.
- More importantly, it allows the hearer to define the terms. You are asking someone who is not converted to identify themselves as such without giving them the tools to make that determination. Many "non-Christians" don't know that they are "non-Christians". If you asked them, they'd say they were Christians because they don't know what it means to be a Christian. They aren't Jews or Muslims, perhaps they are culturally Christian. And so when you call on the "non-Christian" to hear the gospel, they don't know you're talking to them.
- If you are here and you have not repented of your sins in the way we've been talking about this morning...
- If you are not a follower of Christ like Paul is talking about here...
- If you haven't put your trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins...
Mike,
Extremely helpful. Implementing immediately...
Posted by: Dan | Oct 9, 2009 3:25:12 PM
These are some valid points, you are correct, if we use blanket terms without defining them, we leave the ball in the court of the recipient. This is the last thing that we want to do when trying to articulate the gospel clearly. Thanks for the thought provoking use of the term “non-Christian.”
Posted by: Mike | Oct 9, 2009 4:02:00 PM
How about using the term "unbeliever?" Paul uses it in 1 & 2 Corinthians, for example.
It seems in your last three examples you are simply using the definition of non-Christian without using the term.
Why not just use one of your three approaches explaining that it means non-Christian or unbeliever? If what it means to be a Christian with the term 'Christian' is going to be defined it only makes sense to give the contrary term too.
Posted by: Mark Lamprecht | Oct 9, 2009 4:06:52 PM
Mike,
That's very helpful. Changing my category on application grid: no longer "non-Christian" but "unbeliever: addressed as...". Part of thinking through application to unbelievers will be the most appropriate way to address them in any given sermon.
Posted by: Mike Gilbart-Smith | Oct 9, 2009 4:18:07 PM
What really seems to upset non-Christians is to call them lost.
Non-Christian would not be the best choice from the pulpit to address the lost because you are then excluding those that consider themselves Christian but are in fact lost. A message for the lost typically applies to the self proclaimed Christian without saving faith.
Posted by: Jason Smathers | Oct 9, 2009 5:25:06 PM
This was very helpful advice. I need to be more careful about this when I preach. I remember Mark Dever mentioning how unbelievers were grateful that he addressed them in his sermons, letting them know that they were welcome at CHBC.
I think it's important to address those who aren't trusting in Christ during the course of a sermon, and I appreciate the reminder to do so in a way that directs them to the content of the gospel.
In my Bible belt area, I don't know that I've met any yet who would consider themselves "non-Christians," so that terminology may indeed inoculate them to the call to repent and trust Christ.
Posted by: Kenny Wells | Oct 10, 2009 12:39:35 PM
As Christians we sin daily and need Christ's forgiveness. The Gospel is just as much for the Christian as it is for the non-Christian. Is it possible that sometimes there is too much delineating between believers and non-believers in sermons. It can cause the Believers to think, "hey I walked the isle once, I asked Jesus in my heart 25 years ago...I don't need to listen to this."
Posted by: Randy | Oct 11, 2009 9:47:30 AM
Thanks Mike. I've used that phrase at time. Thanks for helping me be more thoughtful in loving "unbelievers" (another term to not use I assume in addressing them) when I preach.
Posted by: PJ Tibayan | Oct 12, 2009 9:13:31 AM