Where has all the Preaching Gone?

I recently read a report that many of the techniques of the church growth movement, while bringing crowds into churches, were not successful in discipling people. The emphasis on being "seeker sensitive" and "relevant" have backfired. What this means is to make sure you don't offend anyone and make sure they are entertained. Telling people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear cheats them. What we really need is to grow in our relationship with God through the power of the Holy Ghost and becoming rooted in the Word of God. I want preaching that will challenge me to draw closer to God. That kind of preaching will sometimes offend my flesh. But that is what I want. I want to hear about the shed blood of Christ. I want to hear that I have a responsibility to God. I want someone to tell me that my sin is offensive to God and that I can't live that way and be a Christian. Somehow we have led people to believe that if they "accept Christ" that they are set. We have made them think that they can live a lifestyle of sin and still be counted among the saved. We can't live a lifestyle of sin and make it to heaven. Have I offended you? It's time as preachers that we boldly declare the word of God. We must tell people that commitment is God's requirement. Playing around the edges of Christianity will leave you empty. We must preach the cross, the blood, and our hopelessness outside of salvation through Jesus Christ. We must sound the trumpet clearly. Unrepentant sin will destroy us. Jesus is coming, are you ready?