How long should church service be ?

[Bro. Vince]

How long should be preaching ? I could praise GOD all day if it wasn't for this flesh that gets so tired and short winded. I could sing all day and give GOD worship. But the preaching, how long should it be ?

1) 20 minutes ?
2) 40 minutes ?
3) TWO HOURS !! LOL ....

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Bro. Vince

How long should be preaching ? I could praise GOD all day if it wasn't for this flesh that gets so tired and short winded. I could sing all day and give GOD worship. But the preaching, how long should it be ?

1) 20 minutes ?
2) 40 minutes ?
3) TWO HOURS !! LOL ....

Personally, a congregational service shouldn't be too long. Your listeners might say it was an exciting service... but they will have lost most of what was discussed. The shorter larger services are... the more retention people seem to have of what was taught. I mean, how many times have you heard people say (or said yourself), "Last night was a great service! Total blow out. We were there until midnight. I don't remember the sermon, but boy did we have a move of God!" lol

The larger congregational meetings we have are only about an hour and twenty mins. and the sermon rarely goes over 30 mins.

Midweek house church is a different subject altogether. When we have about 12 of us gathered at an elder's house for discussional meetings we eat, talk, and share thoughts until 1am at times. It's like we can't get enough. Especially if the elder guides us well. The body just begins to minister to itself and compile all the knowledge and different perspectives in the room. It's great!

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Midweek house church is a different subject altogether. When we have about 12 of us gathered at an elder's house for discussional meetings we eat, talk, and share thoughts until 1am at times. It's like we can't get enough. Especially if the elder guides us well. The body just begins to minister to itself and compile all the knowledge and different perspectives in the room. It's great!

I think there is a reason that house church lasts longer and is not so tiring... it is interactive. I mean, how long can you sit and listen to someone before zoning out, and going places in your mind... unless the preacher/teacher has really got your attention... and there are some that can do this... but most preachers/teachers say all they really have to say in about 2-3 mins summed up.

However, in house church or bible study groups, things are much different. When you are able to interact, question, discuss, study, read, and so on, there is so much more potential to grow and learn in that kind of a setting.

For instance, when our family holds home bible studies together, which we try to do as often as possible, because they are so wonderful, all of us have our bibles, and take turns reading, and then discussing what we are reading. It is amazing the insight our kids have shown when being able to discuss what they have just read. They have said to me many times... this is waaay better than church, because now I can ask and discuss what is being said. They have learned so much more, and even now have study Bibles themselves, because they want to study and know the Bible more too. I couldn't be happier about this!

I think people in mainstream churches have a "preach it to me" mentality, and don't really want to take the time to study it out for themselves. They'd rather serve their conscience, listen to the preacher, and feel like they've got all they need for another week...

But when you are in a small group setting, and everyone has their Bibles out, it is amazing how much growth and learning can be accomplished. Instead of zoning out, you can participate, and learn, and truly this is why I think the Early Church went from house to house... it grows you as a believer far more than just passively sitting, and listening to someone preach or teach for an hour or more and where you can't ask any questions....

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I think there is a reason that house church lasts longer and is not so tiring... it is interactive. I mean, how long can you sit and listen to someone before zoning out, and going places in your mind... unless the preacher/teacher has really got your attention... and there are some that can do this... but most preachers/teachers say all they really have to say in about 2-3 mins summed up.

However, in house church or bible study groups, things are much different. When you are able to interact, question, discuss, study, read, and so on, there is so much more potential to grow and learn in that kind of a setting.

For instance, when our family holds home bible studies together, which we try to do as often as possible, because they are so wonderful, all of us have our bibles, and take turns reading, and then discussing what we are reading. It is amazing the insight our kids have shown when being able to discuss what they have just read. They have said to me many times... this is waaay better than church, because now I can ask and discuss what is being said. They have learned so much more, and even now have study Bibles themselves, because they want to study and know the Bible more too. I couldn't be happier about this!

I think people in mainstream churches have a "preach it to me" mentality, and don't really want to take the time to study it out for themselves. They'd rather serve their conscience, listen to the preacher, and feel like they've got all they need for another week...

But when you are in a small group setting, and everyone has their Bibles out, it is amazing how much growth and learning can be accomplished. Instead of zoning out, you can participate, and learn, and truly this is why I think the Early Church went from house to house... it grows you as a believer far more than just passively sitting, and listening to someone preach or teach for an hour or more and where you can't ask any questions....

Amen. A BIG benefit of house churching and home Bible study groups.

[Amanah]

this is what I'm thinking
20 mins singing/worship
10 mins offering
45 mins or less preaching
15 mins praying at altar

but, if people are worshipping God and God wants to speak through the gifts of the Spirit, then shorten the preaching up.

[Hoovie]

Here is what I think...

Song service 30 min.

Sermon 30 min.

Dismissal and continued prayer for anyone who desires it.

[The Matt]

Over an hour of preaching, I start to zone out. But we do go over at times.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Bro. Vince

How long should be preaching ? I could praise GOD all day if it wasn't for this flesh that gets so tired and short winded. I could sing all day and give GOD worship. But the preaching, how long should it be ?

1) 20 minutes ?
2) 40 minutes ?
3) TWO HOURS !! LOL ....

As long as is necessary to get the point across without beating a dead horse

[Bro. Vince]

"from the pulpit view, when you see people falling asleep..is that the signal that a horse has been beaten over and over ?" =)

[RandyWayne]

Song service = 0 minutes
Choir = 10-15 (3-4 songs)
Special announcements = 10 minutes
IF Teaching = 20-60 minutes depending on the teacher and subject matter
IF Preaching = 2 minutes (the title of the sermon and all of the canned versus and shouting lines will have been used by then)
Alter call = Long as people want