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

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