Reah Bunsoy Online

I am not a preacher nor a pastor. I’m a mere listener and a doer of God’s Word. Sometimes, I get bored. More often than not, I don’t listen. But the few times I listen, it’s always worth my precious time.

I grew up in a Christian church—attended Sunday School, Hi-Teeners, and then eventually, was forced to attend the adult service. At first, I was so uncomfortable. I’d get bored each Sunday. But when I finally came to know my reason for living and met Him whom I need live for, I slowly came to enjoy and understand hearing the Word from a preacher. In the Christians’ case, our pastor.

I am so sure the question “How Long Do You Preach?” arises in every church or in every youth group. The listening span of each person differs. Others enjoy loooong preachings because they think are more than filled with the Word. Others are content with short but concise messages. As for me, it depends. Depends on who the preacher is, the style, the topic, the audience, event, or even the setting. But in a regular Sunday preaching, who says the message must be finished before 12? For our church, our service starts at 10 am…read:”starts at 10 am” only. No “ends at 12 noon”. See?

I find it difficult to understand why some people complain that some pastors preach so long. I, for one, always do other things when I am bored— I sit down, I stand up, I eat, I go out a lot. But when I am really listening, I wouldn’t stand. Heck, I’d even take notes. Thus, my Church It Is entry. So how long? I say it really depends. If it’s a Sunday adult service, until the message has been made understood. For a youth group, 30 max—longer than that, the young people will be bored. For a special event, concerts for example, 10 minutes? For prayer rallies, 30 mins? Etc.Etc.Etc.

These are just my estimates. So to pastors reading this, you don’t have to do what I say. I know how hard it is to prepare for a sermon. When I’d teach or speak, I am more of the “preaches long” type so I can’t blame you. It’s just that the length of a sermon is one of the few subjects often neglected by the pastor.

In his article “How Long Do You Preach“, David Patfield explains that the length of a sermon is not nearly as important as the content.

Allow me to highlight some of his words:

Time Was of No Importance.Ezra in the book of Nehemiah, was said to have read the book of God from morning ’til midday(Nehemiah 8:3). Today, people often worry about how and when the service will stop. I am like that most of the time. Not good. Using David Patfield’s words, clock watchers are the least spiritual beings among the people of God. A mere opinion but I think I know where he is coming from. It is so easy for preachers to give reason like “the move of the Holy Spirit”. But really, how can the congregation know that it was God and not just the preacher’s theatrics? Simple. If each one only listens and take heart in understanding what the preacher was saying.

Length of a sermon depends upon the topic. Very true. Mr. Patfield doesn’t know how one could do justice to the story of the crucifixion of Christ in a 20 minute sermonette. And I so agree with him.

Sometimes, criticisms are attempts to justify oneself. “I’ve heard older preachers harshly criticize younger men for not preaching long enough. Sometimes this criticism is just — other times it is simply an attempt by a long-winded preacher to justify himself. “- D.P.

Preparation is important. David comments that sometimes, long sermons are the result of poor sermon preparation. Preachers may not admit it, but they tell a lot of stories because simply, they don’t know how to get the message across. There should be a balance between humor and Scriptures. How’d you know there is balance? Simple—LISTEN. Not only the preachers are required to prepare, even the congregation must prepare by coming on time and preparing the heart. Ulk! I am so guilty of not doing these two. Tsk. Forgive me.

When people go to a ball game and extends to overtime, no one leaves. If one is having a grand time at a party, he doesn’t leave. If there is a midnight sale, a girl doesn’t leave the mall early. If there is an important corporate meeting, no one leaves. The length of a sermon doesn’t really matter. Well, I must admit I easily get bored but when I really pay attention, I won’t be bored, fully listen, and even take notes. I guess it’s really up to the preacher or any speaker for that matter to determine how he or she’ll get the Word across, in a manner that is understandable and in a length he thinks he can hold the attention of majority of the audience and not just one. Forty-five minutes? - the average maximum amount of time that the human brain can absorb information effectively, based on psychology.

As David Patfield concludes his article,

“The length of a sermon is not nearly as important as the content. Those who truly love the Lord will be willing to listen to the Word of God proclaimed regardless of how long it takes. (emphasis mine)

Remember this, he further says:

“If you are a clock watcher in worship you need to adjust your interests and set your priorities, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21)

…and now I say a big A-M-E-N. I am not saying that preachers can speak for as long as they want. It’s just that, more often than not, people who complain in church or a group are those who are not just interested. They are the ones who have other things in mind. Both party, preacher and the congregation, must be sensitive to each other. Preachers check the time and members, please don’t ALWAYS watch the time.

And wait, if Jesus was preaching this Sunday, would I complain? I don’t think so.