David M. Hinsen [02/20/2015 2:02 PM] Strive for balance?
Pentecostal Theology [02/20/2015 2:05 PM] At times we do the whole Book of Revelation verse by verse in 3 days. It’s a very long talk. But generally 30 minutes per sermon is almost ideal. Unfortunately, there are very few good sermon teacher left among us that can prepare a new generation of preachers
Michael Postlethwait [02/20/2015 2:05 PM] Perhaps my comments on the actual web page comments could be helpful here: I think that if we are really honest, if godly people who are known to have a heart for God and an appetite for his word are complaining about the length of our messages, the chances are pretty good that we have fallen down in at least one of two areas when it comes to our preparation: 1. We have been too repetitive and have said the same point 40 different ways. I know as Pentecostals we don’t have a zeal for writing things down, but if we discover we are being too repetitive, it may be a good practice to at least use an outline on index cards or something like that at least temporarily until we can reestablish verbal discipline. 2. The points we have made have been more theoretical than practical. Most people don’t take the time to think about the fact that it is possible to be “biblical” and still not be relevant. For example, if most of our Sunday morning messages are built around bringing people to faith or the backslidden to repentance when most of the church that we pastor are genuinely trying to serve God to the best of their ability and understanding, then we are being more evangelistic in our role when we need to be more pastoral and as a result our message, no matter how well intentioned or valuable in another context, is largely irrelevant to our current setting. This matters because any person who cannot translate our message in a relevant way for his or her life will feel it is too long even if it is short! On the other hand, people tend to be much more forgiving about length when they make meaningful connections to their present situation.
Marvin Elliott [02/20/2015 2:10 PM] B|
Pentecostal Theology [02/20/2015 2:12 PM] with the risk of repeating the same point 40 different ways, at least 20,000 people in Houston find Joel Osteen’s sermons very relevant
Marvin Elliott [02/20/2015 2:14 PM]
Michael Postlethwait [02/20/2015 2:14 PM] Relevance should always be defined in biblical terms not secularism
Michael Postlethwait [02/20/2015 2:24 PM] If you haven’t helped people filter their beliefs, ideas, attitudes and decisions through a biblical grid, can you say you have been truly relevant? In Osteen’s case, his tv program has limited relevance in my view because when the chips are down, he’s not likely to have much of what I need.
Our preacher preached good. About the time he needs to. We go past 12: Sometimes. But usually it great alter services that make it longer. I love good preaching. But I love good alter services too.
The very notion of “preachers preaching too long” does not fit any Biblical paradigm in which the Church is entrusted to preach the Everlasting Gospel till the end of times. Even more so, the notion of a congregational approval/acceptance of the length of a sermon or if the Message of Life is relevant to a reprobate mind is simply extraneous to the Scripture. http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/the-very-notion-of-preachers-preaching-too-long/
I asked a minister friend to visit a new church years ago. Turns out they were having a “prophet.” He took 2 hours taking up the offering. No kidding. It was embarrassing. He hid it pretty good but I think he was a little mad. Got to watch these special speakers with their accommodations and wind.
Long worship, long preaching, long offerings, long altar call, and a bunch of people we are not sure why they are at the mic talking long sums it about up
Varnel Watson
Michael Ellis Carter Jr. Terry Wiles 2 of your members sent us this
Terry Wiles
Lol. I don’t think so. They want to hear more.
Varnel Watson
since you are preaching once a year now 🙂
Louise Cummings
Our preacher preached good. About the time he needs to. We go past 12: Sometimes. But usually it great alter services that make it longer. I love good preaching. But I love good alter services too.
Varnel Watson
grandma Louise that’s because you ant heard Michael Ellis yet
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
? ??? my church is usually happy when I get up and since I preach two locations they know I want be up to long ?most times
Varnel Watson
Joe Absher we got to visit that church and put things in perspectives
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Troy Day you will be disappointed
Varnel Watson
not gonna be my first time
Louise Cummings
How could I hear him. I see him on face book. But it doesn’t pick up a message.
Varnel Watson
The very notion of “preachers preaching too long” does not fit any Biblical paradigm in which the Church is entrusted to preach the Everlasting Gospel till the end of times. Even more so, the notion of a congregational approval/acceptance of the length of a sermon or if the Message of Life is relevant to a reprobate mind is simply extraneous to the Scripture. http://www.pentecostaltheology.com/the-very-notion-of-preachers-preaching-too-long/
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Yeah but we want to leave the falling asleep and tumbling out of windows legacy to Paul
Joe Absher
I asked a minister friend to visit a new church years ago. Turns out they were having a “prophet.” He took 2 hours taking up the offering. No kidding. It was embarrassing. He hid it pretty good but I think he was a little mad. Got to watch these special speakers with their accommodations and wind.
Varnel Watson
I;ve been in a service where the father of holy laughter did the same thing. Twice – yes, 4-5 hr service
Joe Absher
I don’t know if I could do that.
Terry Wiles
Ive been in services out of the country where I show up an hour late because I know the music will continue for an hour after I arrive.
Varnel Watson
excuses; in Pentecostalism we call the music worship Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Michael Ellis Carter Jr.
Long worship, long preaching, long offerings, long altar call, and a bunch of people we are not sure why they are at the mic talking long sums it about up
Louise Cummings
I love good Worship
Terry Wiles
Troy Day Not all of us do all of the time
Louise Cummings
I know God gave us many responsibilities. Some joyful and some hard. But I will rejoice in all God gave us to do.
Louise Cummings
What I’m saying is This is the Day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I’ll have to look up where it is written later.
Robert Erwine
people can sit through a two hour movie , why can’t they sit through a two hour service ?
Louise Cummings
Amen. I rather be in Church than be at a movie. It has to be something outstanding for me to go to a movie. Like the Blood Moons.
Varnel Watson
Ricky Grimsley I would sit through a 3-hour Perry sermon and still want more when its over