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Is a 1 1/2 hour Sunday morning service to long ?

nodak

Active Member
Site Supporter
In a word, yes. That is too long for a church service in my opinion.

Don't give me the drivel of mini services for mini Christians or sermonettes for Christianettes. Don't tell me how long Spurgeon preached unless you preach as well as Spurgeon.

Here is what I have seen, what I have learned:

Church is for the propagation of the gospel and edification of believers. It isn't to bring God anything. It isn't your weekly contact with God mediated through a priest or Baptist preacher. Long services are generally rambling ones. Conciseness is a virtue. If you cannot get your point across in 20 minutes, you probably don't have one.

Before I get beat to death let me say those were pithy sayings of a pastor we had who took that church of 75 to a church of 1700 committed, discipled folks in under a decade.

Our current church has dwindled due to long rambling services. Now down to 13 and two more said yesterday is their last day. So now 11. Four more considering leaving, and two at death's door. Methinks we will be forced to find another church.

And when we do, numb backsides will mean we won't consider that church.
 

Revmitchell

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Our current church has dwindled due to long rambling services. Now down to 13 and two more said yesterday is their last day. So now 11. Four more considering leaving, and two at death's door. Methinks we will be forced to find another church.

Yes, I am quite sure that is the only reason. Rolleyes
 

Jerome

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Charles Spurgeon, "The Empty Seat":
to my mind, short, lively services coming frequently on Sundays and week-days, are more refreshing than hearing two or even three long sermons on one day in the week only
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Or just sit in the parking lot and listen to your favorite preacher's podcast (that way you can say you "went to church"). :)

Our service lasts 1 hr. 15 min.
Open with a song
Greet each other/guests
Worship songs and congregational scripture reading
Sermon (45 minutes)
Offering
Announcements (if any) and dismissed.

Now your getting it......but why drive to the parking lot?!? seems like an unproductive use of time.Laugh
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
We've had a problem with late arrivers for years.
About 20% of the congregation show up almost half an hour late for the service.
...I wonder if they just don't want to stay for the hour and a half service.

Personally I arrive around 7:30 for set-up, teach a 45 minute class, attend service and leave after everythings put away about 5 hours later.

I suggest rather than skipping the "other stuff" you might find a place to serve in the service.

Rob

Like where?
 

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
"nodak,



. Long services are generally rambling ones. Conciseness is a virtue. If you cannot get your point across in 20 minutes, you probably don't have one.
A good introduction takes 20 minutes

Before I get beat to death let me say those were pithy sayings of a pastor we had who took that church of 75 to a church of 1700 committed, discipled folks in under a decade.
or...maybe it was goat food....and when the word was preached it was a goat stampede out the door....


And when we do, numb backsides will mean we won't consider that church.

just stay home if 20 minutes is the limit...why bother? Instead of the Lords day....it can be the Lords 20 minutes....
 

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
jeben

Is a Sunday morning church service that last 1 1/2 hours just to long ? I myself can hardly stand it

You can hardly stand to be with the Church that Jesus died for???? Hearing scripture preached more than 30 minutes is a burden? What do you have to do that is so important to flee out of the church....?

. I think one hour would be great !

Then how does the rest of your day go???? what else do you do instead?
 

blessedwife318

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
My husband and I drive 2 hours round trip to church. Between Church and Sunday School it is about 3 to 3 1/2 hours long. I will admit that sometimes the singing portion feels a bit long but I never mind the 45 min sermon. I want some meat to chew on. In other countries I have been to church services that have been much longer. We in America don't understand the gift we have. For my husband and I church is an all day thing, considering that we often try to spend time with other members after the service. So no a 90 min service is not too long.
 

Iconoclast

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
And "in conclusion" usually takes another 20! LOL!
Yes.....the Puritans always spoke about the "uses" when applying the practical outworking of the text.....It is possible some of these posters have not actually heard the word properly preached so they are sick of the little sermonettes they are fed. ...
 

Earth Wind and Fire

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
In a word, yes. That is too long for a church service in my opinion.

Don't give me the drivel of mini services for mini Christians or sermonettes for Christianettes. Don't tell me how long Spurgeon preached unless you preach as well as Spurgeon.

Here is what I have seen, what I have learned:

Church is for the propagation of the gospel and edification of believers. It isn't to bring God anything. It isn't your weekly contact with God mediated through a priest or Baptist preacher. Long services are generally rambling ones. Conciseness is a virtue. If you cannot get your point across in 20 minutes, you probably don't have one.

Before I get beat to death let me say those were pithy sayings of a pastor we had who took that church of 75 to a church of 1700 committed, discipled folks in under a decade.

Our current church has dwindled due to long rambling services. Now down to 13 and two more said yesterday is their last day. So now 11. Four more considering leaving, and two at death's door. Methinks we will be forced to find another church.

And when we do, numb backsides will mean we won't consider that church.

I'm guessing here but you are probably NOT a Pastor. Further stretch....you probably have a life outside of the church? Smile
 
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