Some preachers connect with their hearers.  Others don’t.

What’s the difference?

Peter Mead has highlighted five aspects of preacher-hearer connection:

1. The personal life of the preacher.  Does the preacher have authenticity and integrity?
2. The pastoral ministry of the preacher.  Does the preacher know, care for, and pray for his hearers?
3. The content of the message.  Does it aim to engage the listener at the heart level?  Does it have a contemporary focus and a sense of purpose?
4. The presentational style of the message.  Is the preacher making effective us of skills that will engage the attention of the hearers?
5. The heart of the listener.  Is the hearer responsive to the message and the messenger.

See this for elaboration of these valuable points.