Preaching Overtime

Once I heard a minister share what was meant to be a joke. He asked the congregation if they remembered the man in Acts chapter 20 who fell out of a window while Paul preached late into the night. The minister then revealed the man’s name was Eutychus “…and you’d cuss if you fell out of a window.”

I’ve heard of Christian gatherings in some countries that last for hours. Nehemiah 8:3 mentions that Ezra read in the open square “…from morning until midday…and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.” Here in America, many churches have services where you’re in and out within an hour. The pastor’s sermons have little spiritual content.


However, I get more annoyed by ministers who talk too long. Even if they have valid information to share, their meetings drag on if there’s little preparation. Instead of just getting to the point, they ramble and repeat stuff. Charles Spurgeon once wrote: “Spend more time in the study that you may need less in the pulpit.” It’s especially irritating when a preacher says he’s starting to close but then continues talking for a while. Charisma magazine columnist J. Lee Grady stated: “I don’t mind a long sermon, and I’ve been guilty of going over my time limit. But you are flat-out lying if you tell an audience you’re finishing when you actually still have half an hour to go.”


When ministering in a church, my messages are usually within 30-45 minutes. I want to be respectful of the congregation’s time. People’s minds and backsides can only handle so much. Students rarely sit in classes longer than an hour. They need a break because their attention span is limited.


Now it’s different when a strong anointing is present. Some of Rodney Howard-Browne’s services have lasted for over five hours. The length of a sermon is not as important as the content. However, one shouldn’t feel guilty if they have to leave early. I’ve done so when needing to take a bus back to the missionary house I stayed at (the local transit service ends after midnight). Others may have family obligations or need to work early in the morning.


Remember, it’s the anointing that destroys the yoke, not long-winded preaching.


“Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.” - Ecclesiastes 5:2

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

A Tribute to Al Best

Image
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. This tribute is for one who went home to be with the Lord last Sunday. Al Best oversaw Light in Anoka Church in a northern suburb of Minneapolis. Originally from Florida, Al first gave his life to the Lord at 17 but then backslid. Meanwhile, he served 21 years in the Navy and worked various jobs. That included selling Rainbow vacuum cleaners. I would eventually get to know his sales manager. Eric Gonyon became an associate pastor at Rodney Howard-Browne ’s church (I usually attend services there when in Tampa).  A few years after recommitting his life to the Lord, Al became a pastor. In 2007, the Lord directed him to head north to Minnesota, where his wife Jean is from. First, they ministered in the small town of Dassel. What started as a youth mission transitioned into regular services for all ages. Then in 2016, Al and Jean moved to Anoka to take on a church originally called New Day Fellowship. To counter the city’s motto as the “Halloween Ca
Read more