Sermon Poll

My outlines are usually nothing more than three points, sometimes those points are sentences, sometimes they are just three words. Usually the outlines are alliterated. My website has all my outlines for any preacher who would like to use them. I usually add explinations & subpoints when I post them to the internet.

http://hometown.aol.com/pastorkthunder

 

If I have time, I fill out the outline.

 

My eyesight is so poor that I dont use notes. I do study, and have it pretty well fixed in my mind before making the attempt though.

 

For my sermons, I typically write out a full manuscript. Even though I do this, I do not just read it word-for-word. I highlight my Scriptures and points to give me "points of reference" when I stray away from the manuscript.

Typically, I will say more, or less, as the Spirit leads; the manuscript I suppose is more of a help and reference. There have been a few times where, despite preparation and prayer, I "drew a blank." My mind simply took a breather, lol! This way, I am able to recover quickly and see where I am going if my mind decides to do this

God bless!

 

My notes are not quite a full manuscript but very close. I usually take 6-8 pages (8 1/2 by 11) into the pulpit with me in a content outline form.

 

I don't use notes, I just set up my basic form of the sermon. Memorize where I'm going and prepare the PowerPoint accordingly. Since I use an expository style of presenting a text as I go through the text (I read from my Dell Axim) I can remember the format that I'm using and bring in the appropriate illustrations and points.

Also I don't, usually, let the content of my message exceed 20 minutes. If I have a point to make and it takes longer than 20 minutes its really not worth making. The invitation can go long if the Spirit leads, but the content stays to 20 minutes.

great thread!

 

I believe it is because 100 years ago people's attention spans were accustomed to hearing long orations. That is why the Lincoln-Douglas debates were so popular. People would go to the debates for entertainment purposes.

Our society has their attention spans sapped by TV and fast paced lifestyle. Moreso TV and popular culture than anything else. They'll watch a movie for 3 hours (LoTR) but can't stand to sit still for 30 minutes to hear exposition. Difference, LoTR is flashy and keeps their attentions held for (at max) 10 minutes a scene before cutting away to something different. The longest scenes are not isolated dialogue, rather are sweeping battle scenes with tons of action going on.

 

Also look at how you read a BB system. I scan long posts...usually posts where there are no paragraphs and I have to scroll.

Yet I absorb shorter posts, and even medium sized posts with clear separations of paragraphs, better. Bolding also helps. We are a soundbite society.

 

I type my sermons in full at home, and then use sermon notes in the pulpit. However many points are in the sermon, they include sub-points a), b) and c). My wife says I seldom look at my notes, at least it is not obvious, but they are there. I like to look the audience in the eyes and adjust by what I perceive from them.

I never preach beyond a given time..morning service finished before noon, and evening service never more than an hour and fifteen minutes total.

Why not hour long sermons? My opinion: attention spans have adjusted over time, and it is closely linked to half hour television programs. Even college lectures are usually 45 minutes for the same reason. A study was done, and there is only so much information that can be absorbed and retained. We want well fed Christians, but not "fat" Christians.

The economy of words is the key. Expand your vocabulary, use the words and repeat your points using those different words. Some people spend too much time in the dictionary and too little time in the thesarus. Develop catch phrases and you will capture the attentive mind. And when people are dozing off, insert a personal anecdote about someone. People love stories.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Study, sometimes manuscript, always write out notes, and then take a simple outline up with me to preach from. I am moving toward preaching without notes.

Concerning time - I hit 45 minutes. Attention spans have atrophied, but they can be rebuilt. Have you read about some of the emerging churches? Many of them have sermons that are an hour and change in length. I find that new believers are ready to listen for quite a while. I have actually been asked to preach longer.

 

I have been taught 20 minutes is the "typical" length of time you can hold attention. My sermons are developped accordingly. (I don't count intro or invitation as part of that time though.) I started with long almost manuscript notes. Now, it is 3 sheets typed in an anotated fromat. I have illustrations and supporting scripture refs fully included. If I did not do that I would be at about 1 page.

 

I was giving my preacher a bad time because he prepares 3 sermons a week, while I have to prepare 3-4 lectures a day. But then God yelled at me, ok he showed me Levicus 10:10, where God said to Aaron, "You must distinguish between the holy and the common." You all have a great responsibility, work hard men!

 

Exactly Mark! If YOU misteach, the student might get a bad grade down the road but if the preacher misteaches.... well... there's a LOT more at stake!

Diane

 

I would say that the short attention spans found in churches today is not something we should blame on our culture. The church dropped the ball here in not continuing to cultivate the minds of her people.

I am not suggesting that there is something inherantly good about a long sermon. I am suggesting that when the church does its job, and is what it should be, her members look a lot less like the world.

 

In old English culture, rich sons had their profession chosen for them. First son was to become a physician; Second son a lawyer, and the third son a minister.

The third son said to his father, "What did I do wrong to merit the hardest job in the world that required me to be both lawyer and physician.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I use a well annotated outline that keeps me from wandering. Our fellowship is a close one and it is easy to become "chatty" in the message. When our service began at 11 am and the message began approx. 11:30 am there was a whistle at the fire station that blew at noontime. You might as well forget preaching to a point after that. Now that we begin at 10 am, we still keep to approx. 30 minutes, but nobody ever complains if we go 10 minutes over. (Often do).Long messages?- Reminds me of the guy who got up well into the message and started to walk out of church. When the preacher asked where he was going, he replied "To get a haircut." "Why didn't you get one before you came to church?" the preacher asked. "-Didn't need one then!" He replied.
Blessings.