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 ...