“What I hear over and over again is, ‘Don’t give me a sugar-coated version of the Bible. Give me the truth,’” says pastor Chris Durso, founder of Soho Bible Study, a monthly gathering in Manhattan that draws nearly 1,000 people. “The nice, cute sermons didn’t help people when COVID hit. They want depth. They want to understand God’s Word in a real, tangible way that challenges them.”
For years, churches have been serving up feel-good messages designed to inspire and entertain. Emotional sermons? Check. Perfectly timed worship ballads? Of course. A takeaway you could slap on a coffee mug? Always. But when life gets messy that kind of surface-level faith doesn’t hold up.
People aren’t looking for a pastor to make them feel warm and fuzzy. They’re looking for leaders who will tell them what’s real. Hard truths. Honest answers. A deeper understanding of faith that can withstand life’s chaos.
When Feelings Aren’t Enough
Here’s the thing about faith built on emotions: it’s great until it’s not. We’ve all been there—dim lights, a killer worship set and a sermon that hits just right. You leave on a spiritual high, ready to conquer the world… until Monday rolls around, and reality sets in.
“The quick, emotional sermons were good for a moment,” Durso says, “but when life fell apart, they weren’t enough. People want something they can hold onto—a faith that actually sustains them when things get hard.”
In other words, faith isn’t about feelings. It’s about substance. And if all you’ve got is a string of inspirational quotes and good vibes, it’s not going to get you very far.
Church Doesn’t Need to Be Pretty
Let’s be clear: faith isn’t meant to be polished. It’s messy, complicated and deeply human. And yet, so much of modern church culture has prioritized style over substance.
“Church should be messy,” Durso says. “If we want people to go deeper in their faith, we have to be willing to go deeper ourselves and be honest about our struggles.”
Durso’s Bible study proves that people don’t need the flash. At his gatherings, some attendees smell like weed or liquor. Others wander in off the street with more questions than answers. And no one’s turned away.
It’s not about putting on a show. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe to wrestle with their doubts, dig into Scripture and figure out what faith actually means.
Stop Watering It Down
Let’s talk about sugar-coating. You don’t need another sermon that sounds like it was written by a motivational speaker. You need leaders who are willing to preach the Bible as it is—no edits, no fluff.
“If something is sin, say it’s sin,” Durso says. “If this is what God wants for our lives, tell us plainly. Don’t water it down to make us feel good.”
This isn’t about being harsh or judgmental—it’s about honesty. People are desperate for leaders who will tell them the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The feel-good sermons and Instagram-friendly takeaways might have worked for a while, but they’re not cutting it anymore. Faith isn’t supposed to be easy. It’s supposed to challenge you, stretch you and make you grow.
A New Kind of Leadership
And let’s not forget about the leaders. Gone are the days when charisma could mask a lack of substance. Today, people are looking for pastors who are transparent, grounded and, above all, real.
“We’re all student-teachers,” Durso says. “Everything I learn, I turn around and share. There’s no gatekeeping in the Kingdom.”
The best leaders aren’t the ones with the slickest sermons or the biggest platforms. They’re the ones who live out their faith authentically, admit when they don’t have all the answers, and walk alongside you as you figure it out together.
Building a Faith That Lasts
If your faith feels shallow, here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. Building a faith that lasts isn’t about chasing emotional highs or finding the perfect aesthetic. It’s about digging into Scripture, asking the hard questions and being willing to wrestle with the answers.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” And being pure in heart doesn’t mean having it all together—it means being honest. Honest about your doubts, your struggles and your need for God.
So don’t settle for a faith that looks good on the outside but crumbles when things get tough. Find a community that challenges you, leaders who push you and Scripture that grounds you. Faith isn’t about making you feel good in the moment. It’s about helping you stand firm when life feels impossible.
And let’s be honest—that’s exactly what we’re all looking for.
