How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14, ESV).
How can we hear of, call on, or believe in our Savior without someone telling us? The sermon is the foundation upon which our Sabbath worship at church is built. Announcements are helpful, special music is pleasant, singing praises to God is spiritually uplifting and builds a sense of unity, and prayer is essential—but the core of the service is the preaching of the gospel. Pastors are responsible for ensuring that there is a sermon preached every week of the year, in every church for which they are responsible—and to make sure that the sermons teach hearers the core values of the Adventist Church.
In 2023, the Global Adventist Pastors’ Survey asked ministers, “In the last 12 months, approximately how many times have you preached on the following topics in your local church(es)?” They were then presented with a list of 25 topics that Church leaders believe have special value and that touch on core Adventist teachings.
The Top Five Topics That Are Preached Frequently
The topics of the Second Coming, the Sabbath, and salvation through Jesus are considered essential to the Adventist identity.
The Top Five Topics That Are Not Preached
Some of the questions the researchers raised, based on the list of least-frequently preached topics, include the following:
1. Given the importance of education in the Adventist Church, why has the highest proportion of Adventist pastors not preached about it in the past 12 months? It may be that the topic of education is being covered in sermons given by conference Education Directors, or school principals, but they are not likely to preach that often, and so the question deserves further exploration.
2. Why are pastors avoiding the topics of the Gift of Prophecy, and the Sanctuary and 1844? Researchers have suggested that the topic may be being taught in Bible studies or evangelism, but it is possible that pastors are avoiding the topic altogether. If so, why? This is something that also needs further inquiry.
3. As research over the past decade has shown, anti-trinitarianism is on the rise in the Church around the world. Is this a cause or a symptom of the failure of pastors to preach on the topic?
Ellen White tells us that “Christ presented the principles of the law of God in a direct, forcible way, showing his hearers that they had neglected to carry out these principles. His words were so definite and pointed that the listeners found no opportunity to cavil or raise objections” (The Review and Herald, September 13, 1906).
Although it may be difficult, it is the pastor’s responsibility to present “the principles of the law of God,” in some way, in every sermon.
You can access the full report here.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 11/18/2025.