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Poll: Sermon Length

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by TomVols, Feb 26, 2002.

?

How long do you typically preach an average length sermon?

  1. Less than 10 minutes

    1 vote(s)
    3.6%

  2. 11-15 minutes

    2 vote(s)
    7.1%

  3. 16-20 minutes

    2 vote(s)
    7.1%

  4. 21-25 minutes

    9 vote(s)
    32.1%

  5. 26-30 minutes

    8 vote(s)
    28.6%

  6. 31-35 minutes

    4 vote(s)
    14.3%

  7. 36-45 minutes

    2 vote(s)
    7.1%

  8. Longer than 45 minutes

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Top Posters
  1. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Sermon length is a hot topic. So let's hear your input on your typical sermon length, past and present.

    [ February 27, 2002, 02:14 AM: Message edited by: Dr. Bob Griffin ]
     
    #1 TomVols, Feb 26, 2002
  2. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Can I vote even if I'm not yet a pastor ?
     
    #2 Bro. Curtis, Feb 27, 2002
  3. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    My manuscripts are generally 5-6 pages in a 14 point font. Since I don't follow the manuscripts verbatim, that only gives me a rough estimate of the length of the sermon. Generally, though, it comes out to right at 15 minutes.

    In seminary, our sermons could not be longer than 15 minutes, and I learned a lot from the discipline of preparing tightly focused homilies. In addition, I don't think many folks listen much past the 15 minute point.

    Since we have a liturgical service in which the Eucharist is celebrated every week, much more than 20 minutes would probably run us too long.

    Joshua
     
    #3 Rev. Joshua, Feb 27, 2002
  4. TomVols

    TomVols New Member

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    Joshua,
    In Bible College and seminary, sermons were capped at 15 minutes for my classes also. It is a good discipline.

    However, people do listen far longer than the 15 minutes. At Saddleback, sermons average just under an hour. At FBC Atlanta, Charles Stanley regularly preaches 50 minutes. In fact, I read a study where the fastest growing churches have average sermon lengths of 45-50 minutes. I think the whole attention span thing is a myth.
     
    #4 TomVols, Feb 27, 2002
  5. bb_baptist

    bb_baptist New Member

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    Most of the best sermons I ever heard were over 45 minutes.
     
    #5 bb_baptist, Feb 27, 2002
  6. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    I have to include translation time to my preaching. For the last 4 or five years, most of my preaching has been done at a Russian speaking church. Also, I am one of three speakers in a two hour service. It forces you to par things down to vital matters.

    [ February 28, 2002, 12:53 AM: Message edited by: The Squire ]
     
    #6 Squire Robertsson, Feb 28, 2002
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Been there and done that. At FBC-Moscow I was recognized by the Pastor and asked to come and preach. I was the 4th speaker in the service, right after a baptism of young Russian teens.

    Service went well over 4 hours. Half the congregation was standing. Estimate 2500 total. And must have been 40-50 people sitting on the platform as I was preaching. And in every window well.

    I was waiting for Eutychus to fall! :eek:
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, Feb 28, 2002
  8. Bartimaeus

    Bartimaeus New Member

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    Great Topic and Poll.
    Is 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

    Usually 45-55 min for me. That is for our morning service. We always have supper together and then a short service after. I keep that one to 15-20 min. (knowing the way Baptists eat the afternoon service should be longer because of all the chocolate pie they eat, Ha!)
    But then when we go street preaching, we try to keep a man on the platform without a break in the preaching.
    Thanks
     
    #8 Bartimaeus, Feb 28, 2002
  9. brorobw

    brorobw New Member

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    I usually preach until I get through! :D
    I typically preach around 30-35 minutes. I was in Romania last summer and preached, with a translator, about 40-45 minutes. The people were disappointed they got out of church so early! They're used to 1 hour - 1.5 hour sermons. A typical Baptist church service in Romania is 2 hours.
    The former pastor where I am now is an old WWII army guy. He likes everything to be on time. He told me one time that he preaches bologna sermons. He can cut them off anywhere! ;)
     
    #9 brorobw, Mar 1, 2002
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Poll and reply open to anyone who preaches. Jump on in! :eek:
     
    #10 Dr. Bob, Mar 1, 2002
  11. Speedpass

    Speedpass Active Member
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    I don't mind long sermons, but what bothers me is where the preacher will say something like "Open your Bibles to....and we're going to spend the next few minutes talking about...", and then he spends his entire sermon time saying the same stuff over and over again without making a conclusion. :confused: :( :confused: :mad:
     
    #11 Speedpass, Mar 1, 2002
  12. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    Tom, I grew up in FBC Atlanta, and I don't remember Dr. Stanley's sermons being that long. I remember them being too long, but not that long. Our service started at 10:45 and we were out of there by noon.

    Personally, I think 15-20 is just right, particularly in a liturgical service where the homily is only one part of the service - not its focus.

    Joshua
     
    #12 Rev. Joshua, Mar 1, 2002
  13. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    I heard Dr. Adrian Rogers say once that he came to preach and the folks came to listen and they shouldn't get through before he does! Been to the largest SBC churches in the nation--Dr. Rogers and Bellvue, Dr. Jerry Vines and FBC, Jacksonville--45-55 minute messages, not including the song service. Myself, 35-40 minutes and I would go longer but the clock strikes 12 and the church usually gives up its dead!
     
    #13 blackbird, Mar 2, 2002
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