Length of Sermon

[Notthemama1984]

What is the average length of your sermons or the sermons of your pastor?

I have a hard time going past 25 minutes and am curious if I am really that short compared to others.

 

[Backwoods Presbyterian]

Until I started preaching regularly I usually preached from 15-25 minutes. Now that I preach regularly I preach 30-35 minutes.

It's like running a race and knowing what length of race you can run. It is all about training yourself to preach and knowing what your congregation can handle. I have an older congregation that could not physically handle me preaching for much longer than I do. To quote Clint Eastwood, "A man's got to know his limitations" I am not a very good preacher and I know I cannot keep a congregation's attention for much longer than I do. So I limit my exposition to 30-35 minutes, make my points and stop.

 

[Tripel]

Boliver,
There's no need to go over 20 or 25 minutes. Just stick to what you have. It's better than drawing it out just for the sake of having a lengthy sermon.

 

[Bill The Baptist]

I would definitely agree that 25 minutes of solid exposition is better than one hour of fluff.

 

[elnwood]

I asked my homiletics professor a similar question -- what to do if you're in churches that expect 45+ minute expository sermons?

We were taught to deliver sermons as coherent expository messages, with one main theme that is the theme of the passage, with an introduction and conclusion. My professor basically said that if you go more than 30-40 minutes doing this, it's hard to have your sermon be cohesive. The audience won't be able to stay focused for that long, and your main theme may get lost.

He advised that if I had to go longer, I should treat it not as a sermon, but really more like a teaching time, i.e. go through a passage and teach straight through it, rather than trying to form and structure an overarching cohesive message. I thought it was good advice.

 

[Notthemama1984]

I asked my homiletics professor a similar question -- what to do if you're in churches that expect 45+ minute expository sermons?

We were taught to deliver sermons as coherent expository messages, with one main theme that is the theme of the passage, with an introduction and conclusion. My professor basically said that if you go more than 30-40 minutes doing this, it's hard to have your sermon be cohesive. The audience won't be able to stay focused for that long, and your main theme may get lost.

He advised that if I had to go longer, I should treat it not as a sermon, but really more like a teaching time, i.e. go through a passage and teach straight through it, rather than trying to form and structure an overarching cohesive message. I thought it was good advice.

Your prof won't like Washer.

 

[Scott1]

The careful preaching of the Word is central to biblical worship and ought not in any sense be shortchanged.

But how long that is depends on several factors, and will always involve some subjectivity.

The post asks how long IS not really how long OUGHT.

In a 1 hour 15 minute service, 35 minutes seems to fill both counts.

 

[TimV]

Anything over a half hour causes more harm than good, usually. Why can't all preachers understand that?

 

[Bill The Baptist]

I agree with that too, but I'm not sure anyone asserted that one should preach one hour of fluff, or half an hour, etc. I think Mr. Glaser's approach is correct. Know your own limitations and know what the congregation can handle. Go from there.

I think you are absolutely right. I was referring to a pastor feeling the need to pump up his 25 minute sermon into an hour by adding fluff. If you can preach an hour of solid material and your congregation can handle it then by all means do it, but if not then just keep it at 25 minutes.

 

[gordo]

25-30 mins is ideal. Some pastors I have heard preach seem to talk in circles sometimes and go on for 45+ mins when the point could have been made in 25-30 mins. Others have spoken for 45 mins + and I enjoyed every minute. Hard to say. Yesterday the pastor went close to 45 mins, yet I was very engaged as he was preaching right from scripture. We studied a Psalm and he went into great detail about it. I could see other people were bored though, which is sad. Seems many today just want a 'self help' style message. Give me a good old sermon preaching the Word anyday.

 

[Jack K]

Scheduled for 35 minutes in our church. Actually goes about 45 minutes most of the time.

But if you're preaching a good 25 minute sermon, that's excellent! If the sermons is good, concise is more memorable and effective. Always work first on making the material better, not longer, and you'll be a fine preacher.

 

[fishingpipe]

30-45 minutes for our visiting pastors (Pipa, Dyer, Carrick, Andrews, etc.) the last 12-months. Our cadidating pastor preached for the first time this Sunday morning, and I wish he would have gone for another hour. It was that good.

 

[rbcbob]

I have a hard time going past 25 minutes and am curious if I am really that short compared to others.

I have been accustomed to hearing 45-75 minute sermons for the past two decades. These were, more often than not, very engaging sermons. I have heard, however that some good men are conceding that the present generation is no longer equal to the task of hearing such preaching. At a recent pastors fraternal Dr. Beeke had these comments:

Dr. Beeke also responded to a comment about our sound bite, high-tech generation and its addiction to visual stimulation through the media. He agreed that we’re ministering to a different congregation in 2011 than back in 1981, and that “more illustrations per hour” is the course of wisdom. The following of sustained, logical, abstract argumentation is less common, and therefore more challenging for this generation. He said that he often tells his pastoral students that they need to employ some kind of illustration, metaphor, or anecdote about every five minutes or else they’ll lose the attention of the average 21st century hearer.

 

[Notthemama1984]

I have been accustomed to hearing 45-75 minute sermons for the past two decades. These were, more often than not, very engaging sermons. I have heard, however that some good men are conceding that the present generation is no longer equal to the task of hearing such preaching. At a recent pastors fraternal Dr. Beeke had these comments

Just to be clear, I do not stop at 25 min because that is all the congregation can handle. Rather I stop there because my natural flow tends to always stop there.

 

[Joseph Scibbe]

In my "perfect world" around 30 to 40 minutes would be ideal. Too much longer and the church can tend to start to wander in their minds. Much shorter and you will feel rushed.

 

[jawyman]

I am usually closer to the 40-45 minute mark.

 

[Rufus]

2 hours with a test at the end. Actually, most sermons I've visibly seen have been about 45 minutes.

 

[MightyManfred]

We have a two hour service, of which 40 - 50 minutes is the sermon. In the nearly 3 years my wife and I have been members at www.gracefamilybaptist.net I think I've looked at my watch once. We have 3 elders who share the preaching (and other duties) and this helps keep our focus on the message rather than the messenger. I vigorously disagree with anyone who lays down a flat limit on how a sermon should be - much of it depends on the message and on the people in the pews.

 

[reaganmarsh]

I typically preach about 30-35 minutes on Sunday mornings; if I hit 40 mins, then I have lost the people. Sunday evenings, we have more of the committed members who are serious about progressing in their faith, and I'm treating it as more of a teaching time (though I do structure the teaching into sermonic format, i.e., application and specific points made from the text, not merely lecturing!). They've responded well to that so far, and have typically given me 40-45 mins. Though last night, I was done in 35 again. Leave 'em wanting a little more for next week, right?

 

[Romans922]

I would be careful listening to any man who limits the length of a sermon, or more specifically Jesus Christ Speaking!, because it seems they may have not taken into account the Apostle Paul...

 

[kvanlaan]

I would echo Dr Beeke's remarks. I've been in an HNRC church where the sermon was an hour, and it never felt long, but the congregation there was also trained to listen that long. Most are not. In Sheffield, I think we're about 35 minutes and it is likewise interesting the entire way through.

 

[Josh Williamson]

On average I preach between 30-45 minutes. However, it depends so much on the congregation. There have been times when I've preached close to an hour and the congregation was able to handle it. At other times 20 minutes seem to be the limit.

All in all, I think we need to "exegete" our congregations to see what they can handle, if they can handle more "feeding" from the sermon, then give it to them. If they struggle with a little bit of food, then feed them what they need. But I would always be seeking to stretch them and the sermon time.

The best advice I got on preaching was when I was in theological college, my professor said, "If you run out of things to say in 20 minutes then sit down and shut up. Since we don't want to hear you ramble. But if you have something to say for 40 or 50 minutes then keep preaching. Just don't ramble!"

 

[Reformed Roman]

I think it's ideal for me to go 30-35 minutes. I agree with many here and think that many sermons are too long. Many pastors make sermons longer just to make them longer. I'd much rather here a shorter sermon that drives the point home. Sometimes a longer sermon is needed, but for the most part I enjoy a good 30 minute sermon.

---------- Post added at 12:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 AM ----------

A good example would be when I listen to Renewing Your Mind by R.C Sproul. It's practically the perfect length. I know he is teaching, and that's a little different, but during that time he brings the best points out and helps teach me a ton and leave edified.

 

[Andres]

For those who preach based on how much their "congregation can handle", what does this mean exactly? How do you judge what the congregation needs/wants in the length of their sermon?

 

[Herald]

. . . but the congregation there was also trained to listen that long. Most are not.

And this is the key. We've purported the idea, somehow, that listening for the voice of the Shepherd in the preaching of the Word is somehow simple and passive. It's not! It's hard work. It's one of those duties which we are to take up every sabbath day. We are to work hard at being diligent in the listening of the sermons, because the purpose is to garner uses, conversations, and application thereof for during the week. So the preacher works diligently at sermonizing, the congregation should work diligently at becoming better listeners . . . and an expectation, as well as facilitation, should be raised that listening well is the duty of a hearer, and that the finding of the capacity of the congregation is the labor of the preacher. Consider the Larger Catechism:

Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the Word are to preach
sound doctrine, diligently, in season, and out of season; plainly, not in the
enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of
power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying
themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with
fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory,
and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Titus 2:1, 8; Acts 18:25; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 14:19; 1 Cor. 2:4; Jer. 23:28; 1 Cor.
4:1-2; Acts 20:27; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14; Luke 12:42;
Acts 18:25; 2 Cor. 5:13-14; Phil. 1:15-17; Col. 4:12; 2 Cor. 12:15; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2
Cor. 4:2; 1 Thess. 2:4-6; John 7:18; 1 Cor. 9:19-22; 2 Cor. 12:19; Eph. 4:12; 1
Tim. 4:16; Acts 26:16-18.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the Word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend
upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by
the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of
mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts,
and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

Prov. 8:34; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Luke 8:18; Ps. 119:18; Eph. 6:18-19; Acts 17:11; Heb. 4:2;
2 Thess. 2:10; Jas. 1:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; Luke 9:44; Heb. 2:1; Luke 24:14;
Deut. 6:6-7; Prov. 2:1; Ps.119:11; Luke 8:15; Jas. 1:25.
​

Josh, thank you for this.

One my most oft repeated refrains to my congregation is a charge to be active participants in the preaching of the Word. When I am behind the pulpit it is my responsibility to preach, it is the congregation's responsibility to, "receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). Neither the preacher nor the congregation are passive participants in worship.

 

[Josh Williamson]

For those who preach based on how much their "congregation can handle", what does this mean exactly? How do you judge what the congregation needs/wants in the length of their sermon?

G'day Andrew,

The example I would give of what a congregation can handle would be this; When I first started in the pastorate the church I was called to had no biblical knowledge and had only been receiving 10 minute "self-esteem" talks. As a result they didn't know their Bible, nor could they handle longer sermons. Over the period of the year I slowly built up their biblical knowledge by expository preaching, and by lengthening the sermons. I also constantly talked to the congregation afterward to see what they understood and grasped. As their biblical knowledge grew so did the sermon.

 

[MightyManfred]

Good counsel!

This thread is a good conversation! Reading book on preaching is good; discussing the dirty details with others is also beneficial. Martin Lloyd Jones, for one, presses the point that the preacher must know his people and lead them as he teaches them and preached to them.

 

[CharlieJ]

One thing to keep in mind is that a healthy church will have a diversity of people in it. To use a crude metaphor, on the "sactification scale," a healthy church will have everything from 0 (unchurched visitor) to 10 (whatever you think is a ten). Although preaching is primarily directed to growing, serious church members, it's wise not to exclude anybody on the scale.

I fear that some churches attempt to grow spiritually by effectively cutting off the bottom of the scale and disrupting the natural evangelism and growth cycle. If you look around and see that everyone in your church has been a Christian for decades, knows the Bible thoroughly, and regularly reads (or blogs!) theology, I actually think that is an indication that a church is unhealthy. If that's the case, it may be that signals are being sent from the pulpit or from other church members implying, "If you don't know A, B, C, and can't follow X, Y, and Z, this really isn't the church for you." People pick up on that quickly and will move elsewhere.

All that to say, the length of sermon is one more variable that has to be determined by both love and wisdom.

 

[MightyManfred]

Good point, Charlie. This is why we must make clear the Gospel in each sermon. The whole of Scripture is about Christ and His people so the Gospel is always near to any text. We need the Gospel for sanctification and lost folk need it for salvation (if it please the Lord).

 

[rbcbob]

. . . but the congregation there was also trained to listen that long. Most are not.

And this is the key. We've purported the idea, somehow, that listening for the voice of the Shepherd in the preaching of the Word is somehow simple and passive. It's not! It's hard work. It's one of those duties which we are to take up every sabbath day. We are to work hard at being diligent in the listening of the sermons, because the purpose is to garner uses, conversations, and application thereof for during the week. So the preacher works diligently at sermonizing, the congregation should work diligently at becoming better listeners . . . and an expectation, as well as facilitation, should be raised that listening well is the duty of a hearer, and that the finding of the capacity of the congregation is the labor of the preacher. Consider the Larger Catechism:

Q. 159. How is the Word of God to be preached by those that are called thereunto?
A. They that are called to labor in the ministry of the Word are to preach
sound doctrine, diligently, in season, and out of season; plainly, not in the
enticing words of man’s wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit, and of
power; faithfully, making known the whole counsel of God; wisely, applying
themselves to the necessities and capacities of the hearers; zealously, with
fervent love to God and the souls of his people; sincerely, aiming at his glory,
and their conversion, edification, and salvation.

Titus 2:1, 8; Acts 18:25; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 14:19; 1 Cor. 2:4; Jer. 23:28; 1 Cor.
4:1-2; Acts 20:27; Col. 1:28; 2 Tim. 2:15; 1 Cor. 3:2; Heb. 5:12-14; Luke 12:42;
Acts 18:25; 2 Cor. 5:13-14; Phil. 1:15-17; Col. 4:12; 2 Cor. 12:15; 2 Cor. 2:17; 2
Cor. 4:2; 1 Thess. 2:4-6; John 7:18; 1 Cor. 9:19-22; 2 Cor. 12:19; Eph. 4:12; 1
Tim. 4:16; Acts 26:16-18.

Q. 160. What is required of those that hear the Word preached?
A. It is required of those that hear the Word preached, that they attend
upon it with diligence, preparation, and prayer; examine what they hear by
the Scriptures; receive the truth with faith, love, meekness, and readiness of
mind, as the Word of God; meditate, and confer of it; hide it in their hearts,
and bring forth the fruit of it in their lives.

Prov. 8:34; 1 Pet. 2:1-2; Luke 8:18; Ps. 119:18; Eph. 6:18-19; Acts 17:11; Heb. 4:2;
2 Thess. 2:10; Jas. 1:21; Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 2:13; Luke 9:44; Heb. 2:1; Luke 24:14;
Deut. 6:6-7; Prov. 2:1; Ps.119:11; Luke 8:15; Jas. 1:25.
​

Josh, thank you for this.

One my most oft repeated refrains to my congregation is a charge to be active participants in the preaching of the Word. When I am behind the pulpit it is my responsibility to preach, it is the congregation's responsibility to, "receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls" (James 1:21). Neither the preacher nor the congregation are passive participants in worship.

Josh & Bill,
I am whole heartedly with you men on this. We have made no conscious effort to shorten our sermons based on the downward trend in American listening habits/abilities. But I do wonder what the unconverted visitor's response will be to good sermons as this downward trend continues. Any thoughts?