How do you Preach to Everyone at your Church?

Can a sermon be both theologically rich and crystal clear? In this episode, Elevate host Brandon Abbott sits down with Senior Pastor Jay Strother and Harpeth Heights Campus Pastor Brandon Hayes to explore one of the most common tensions in preaching: depth vs. accessibility. Whether you're teaching brand-new believers, seasoned saints, or everyone in between, this episode is packed with real stories, practical tools, and a reminder of why we preach in the first place—to engage the whole person with the whole gospel of Jesus Christ, anywhere, anytime, with anybody. From sermon prep tips to common mistakes young pastors make, you’ll walk away with new clarity and encouragement for crafting messages that actually land—and lead to life change. Episode Guests: Brandon Abbott: Host, Groups Minister at Brentwood Baptist Jay Strother: Senior Pastor, Brentwood Baptist Church Brandon Hayes: Campus Pastor, Harpeth Heights Timestamps: 00:00 – Why this conversation matters 03:00 – Learning your people and their needs 06:45 – “Exegete the text—and the congregation” 10:00 – Gospel clarity in every sermon 16:30 – Tips for sermon prep that starts with Scripture 23:00 – The power of personal connection in preaching 28:45 – When you go too deep (or too light) 34:30 – Finding the right balance of illustration and depth 40:15 – Advice for newer preachers and young pastors 47:00 – Preaching to a diverse congregation 53:30 – The bell curve of biblical literacy 59:00 – Preaching that creates hunger—not just heat Elevate Conference | September 9, 2025 Looking to sharpen your preaching or grow as a church leader? Join us for the Elevate Conference on September 9, 2025, at Brentwood Baptist Church in Nashville, TN. This one-day event is designed for your whole church staff and includes dynamic keynotes, role-specific breakouts, and the chance to connect with ministry leaders from across the region. Register today at elevatechurchconference.com