Tuesday, July 3, 2012

LENGTH


Please be encouraged to take the poll at right.  Thank you.

There is a movement out there that suggests church services have become too long -- 50 minutes should  be the absolute outer edge, time-wise.  Gee, I sometimes sermonize for 40 minutes alone, so that would be rough.

But they're saying, 'Stop singing so long ... stop praying so much ... stop preaching so long.'


People have shorter attention spans now.  (That's one of the arguments.)  I wonder if they took that poll right after folks came out of the movie theater, double feature.

They're insisting that we've re-considered everything else at church -- cafes in the lobby -- moving lights in the auditorium -- giving kiosks in the hallways -- but we refuse to re-think service length.

Thirty minutes.  That was the suggested perfect length.

OK.  That would be:
15 seconds to welcome everybody
9 minutes for singing
2 to talk about and collect an offering
30 seconds to shake somebody's hand
1 minute to communicate the important announcement for the day.
1 minute for a prayer
13 minutes for a message
2 minutes to draw in the net
1 minute to pray again
15 seconds to say goodbye
And ... we're out.


So, what do you think of that schedule?

OK.  Indulge me in the poll at upper right.  Assuming the speaking was at least moderately interesting, what's your preferred length of a weekend message?

And be blessed.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Depends on who it is speaking.

PK's BLOG said...

Of course it depends on that, but just work with me here. Assuming it's moderately interesting, how long would you prefer?

Michelle said...

Seriously, only 30 minutes. Not that is crazy. I love the services here at KFA and I want more not less. I love the message that both you and Pastor Dan give and I leave wanting more of the message. Don't change a thing.

Trace said...

I made that comment after I polled... I was the first poll in. 45-50 min :)

PK's BLOG said...

LOL. GREAT! THANKS!

Anonymous said...

For the poll is it the length of the sermon or the entire service?

PK's BLOG said...

Length of MESSAGE only. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I said 45+ minutes for the message. I might get bashed for this, but I wish there was less singing. KFA worship is great, but just too long. But that's just me...

Bob W. said...

I'd prefer the message stay the same and add a song or two or give space for extending a song or two....

Trace said...

After rethinking, I have changed my vote. I would cap a moderately interesting speaker at 35-40 min.

JJ said...

The more we love this world, the shorter attention span and lesser the level of interest in what God has to say to us in church. I look forward to the day when Americans lose track of time again while worshiping the Lord.

Trace said...

You however, exceed moderately interesting. 50+

lol.

Anonymous said...

If you recall, we use to start at 8:30am, so we have reduce service a half an hour already, reduce it again, no way!!!! It takes most of the service for people just to understand and soak in the information in order to respond to what is at stake,(recieving and believing).

Anonymous said...

Music 30-40 minutes
Announcements and offering 5-10 minutes
sermon 35-40 minutes
prayer 5-10 minutes
closing song-endless
100 minutess to infinity is fine for me...
In many places in the world the services run for several hours with pastors and musicians playing tag-team. It takes so long for people to get to church that they want to spend the whole day there...
We like what you are doing now just fine. If it is works, please don't change it. Ignore the rude people or the working people (who may have to get to jobs) and just keep on ministering as the Lord leads.

PK's BLOG said...

Anon:
Thanks. LOL. I'm glad someone has it all figured out. :).

Anonymous said...

I'm just curious...since you are the person who has to give a sermon 3 times a week, how long would you prefer? Are you satisfied with the way it is now? I know you do alot of speaking at KFA and other places. Do you wish you had more time to share?

PK's BLOG said...

ANON:
Well, thanks for asking. :)

I'm probably 'long-winded.' My staff mentions that from time to time. Grin. My natural bent is probably around 35 minutes without trying hard, but sometimes (frequently?) I break that and go longer. I probably seldom go shorter than 30 minutes. I'm not sure I'm interesting enough to speak longer than that, but I do. (That's not an open door for you to compliment me, not that you were planning to.)

My wife thinks I could speak all day and be interesting. Nice to have her as a fan, right?
LOL.

Blessings.

Anonymous said...

I am not entirely sure I have ever heard you speak for 30 min..lol. However, I think you give wonderful sermons. I know you weren't fishing for a compliment, but there you go! And I think it is terribly sweet that Joelene loves listening to you so attentively after so many years! :)

PK's BLOG said...

You must not have come to KFA lately then. ??

Anonymous said...

Um, truthfully, no I haven't. I keep telling myself I need to get back. I was very happy at KFA, but life circumstances are different for me now. I really miss it and your sermons. :)

PK's BLOG said...

Not sure what particular life circumstances make church invalid or unnecessary,mbut you know what to do, I'm sure. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

I don't see going to church as invalid or unnecessary at all. It's really not that. It's just a lot of pressure to be someone I am not and I can never pull off. I'm sure there are people who hear the message and then go about their ways, but I really listen. Sometimes, it is just too much for me. Maybe someday, when I feel ready, I will come back.

PK's BLOG said...

Your actions speak to what you think is valid or necessary (and you knew I was going to say that). I invite you to come this weekend as we talk about what the Master Potter wants to do with your life out of His great mercy, grace and love.