We’re preaching in an age of constant interruption. As a pastor, I see it myself all the time. Phones. Notifications. Mental fatigue. I see it in my church and in my own life at times. People probably walk into your church every Sunday stressed and overstimulated, and therefore many have developed a habit of showing up but not listening. And it’s not that your people want to be distracted, it’s just a byproduct of living in an age where everything is fighting for your attention.
So how do we preach through that? How do we hold people’s attention long enough for them to actually hear the truth? Let’s talk about preaching in the age of distraction and connecting with people in spite of it.
First, let’s see what Scripture shows us. In Acts 20:9, Paul is preaching late into the night, and there’s this moment that’s actually somewhat comedic, where a young man named Eutychus, sitting in a window, falls asleep, and quite literally falls out of the building. So even Paul had people dozing off during his messages.
See, distraction isn’t new. It’s been there for a long time. But in this day and age, it’s not just fatigue, it’s a constant stream of digital noise.
So what do we do knowing that distraction is not new, but it’s more of a problem now? Well, we have to be faithful to lead authentically. Two things often keep us from reaching a distracted congregation: First, we as pastors get distracted ourselves. And second, we care more about their distraction than we do about simply leading them in truth and grace.
As pastors we consider so much feedback. We overthink our delivery. And like everyone else, we are not immune to the pull of news and social media. So how do we stay focused?
We go back to the basics. We take time away from screens and to feed ourselves the Word. We seek wise counsel. We spend real time in prayer. We ask the Spirit to guide not just our sermons, but our attention.
And furthermore, you have to realize that some people who may seem distracted may just be processing what you’re saying. Maybe they’re checking their phone or getting lost in thought, but maybe they’re thinking about one line you said ten minutes ago that’s just now impacting them. And maybe out of the thousands of thoughts in their head, one of them is a question of salvation, of coming to Jesus. This is why it’s important not to let the distraction of others distract you as a pastor. Your faithfulness to preach authentically means you do it regardless of the response. Paul told Timothy: “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.” (2 Timothy 4:2)
And your job is not to fix a noisy world. Your job is to love like Jesus and preach the Word. Paul says earlier in 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” The message we preach is self-sufficient, powerful enough to pierce through this noisy world. And to share that message, we have to step out of the way, to really allow the Holy Spirit to take our words and give them impact beyond our abilities. We have to trust that when we are faithful, God is doing more than we can see.
So how does it look to practically preach that message? Well, the message should be clear and well-paced. When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he says: “I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” (1 Corinthians 14:19)
Clear communication is a gift to your listener. It honors their attention. And in a distracted culture, words of wisdom and godliness are like tasting honey after only tasting bitterness. So all it takes is a well-placed word to truly turn people’s attention to something that matters. What’s the one thing you want people to walk away remembering this week? Maybe it’s a word like, “Every day is a day to accept God’s mercy and grace,” or “What would happen if we prayed for our enemies?” Build around that word. Repeat it. Give it weight. That’s what sticks.
Today everyone takes in lots of information in really short bursts. That doesn’t mean your sermon has to be short, but your pacing should reflect awareness to reach people. Break your message up. Pause. Ask questions. Tell stories that slow people down and help them re-engage. Personally, what I’ve found is a visual on screen or a practical illustration is a great way to re-engage people.
Jesus modeled this intentional pacing all the time. He often interrupted his own teaching with a question or a parable, not to confuse, but to rebalance everyone, make sure they’re present.
Next, find a balance with digital engagement. The common distraction for everyone is in their pocket. Even though distraction has always been a part of humanity, our phones offer a digital distraction that is culturally different from what Jesus or even Paul faced. It’s part of how people think, process, and engage now. So approach it with discernment and not heavy-handed conclusions. You can’t preach against phones while putting your sermon outline on your church app.
That sends a mixed message. Instead, look for ways to invite people to use their devices purposefully. Encourage them to open the Bible app. Take a photo of a quote. Scan the QR code to connect with a resource or respond. Use email or text to follow up midweek. This is a show of stewardship rather than restriction. If tech is shaping how people listen, use it to help them listen better.
Finally, connect before you correct. Distraction often hides disconnection. Someone might be scrolling during your message, not because they’re bored, but because they’re anxious. Or hurting. Or exhausted. But regardless, they’re here. They’ve chosen to join this service. And that’s more important than anything else.
So preach like a shepherd. Invite people to be fully present, not just by demanding their attention, but by offering your heart. Paul told the Thessalonians: “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”
That kind of holistic pastoral presence can hold attention in a way clever soundbites never will. Again, be faithful to preach your message, but also be a careful listener, be intentional to invest time in your people to model what it looks like to be present, and show grace to your people when they stumble. Your openness allows any sterner correction to come straight from your heart and to be received straight into theirs. Sometimes a firm word at the pulpit or a one-on-one conversation is necessary. But it must first come from a place of sincerity, modeling grace and truth in order to love and challenge your people. And ultimately, they, too, will help cut through the noise with the redeeming message of the Gospel.