- Candidate Sunday--35 Minutes
- First Sunday--32 Minutes
- Second Sunday--37 Minutes
- Third Sunday--49 Minutes
- Fourth Sunday--44 Minutes
I think sticking in the 30-40 minute range is a good goal. The problem is the clock is way up in the balcony and I can't really calculate very well in my mind, while preaching. I'm just glad, I cut it back to 44 last Sunday and broke the increase trend. By the ninth Sunday, it would be up to three hours at that rate of increase. :)
12 comments:
Pastor Glenn,
I appreciate your being considerate of our time. Now stop it! :-) I for one am more concerned about content than worried about the minutes consumed during the message. (Most of us find no difficulty spending more than 49 minutes per sitting watching things on tv with far less substance!) Of course that doesn't mean that you talk for the sake of talking... but I've seen nothing to make me think you are that type of Pastor! In the not too distant past, it was common for Bethel to enjoy/endure 3-4 hour services... and when you factor in that this is the ONLY time all week most members get with the pastor, that's really not much face time to communicate what the Lord is saying about the vision, direction, goals, and training He has for us as a body. Your messages have been very meaty... and we desperately need the nutrition. (In fact, I'd vote for a Sunday or Wednesday night snack as well!!) Let's not put God in a 37 minute box... and see what He will do! I can honestly say that most people I've talked to have had the same reaction Wendy & I have had at the end of your messages... Wow! Where'd the time go? It seems like he only started 5 minutes ago! You're doing a GREAT job. 45-60 minutes would be my vote for the amount of time to effectively say what you're trying to say and keep in the guidelines of "The brain can absorb no more than the seat can endure." You have our support whichever you decide... but in this case I don't think "less is more".
Jim
I personally could listen to you for hours, but I think the 35-45 min range is good to absorb the meat of your messages. Now, can we consider extending the worship time? :o)
Carol Chubb
Pastor Glenn,
Thank you for thinking the about the sermon times and I agree with my brother Jim that 45 to 60 is the best goal and not just from the perspective of how long the seat can endure but for the youth and children ministers who plan for the entire length of the service. Some parents unfortuntely think that everything else needs to end when the main service does. Another scenario can develop when children lose comeplete focus if they become aware that their parents are waiting for them. It was during the Pastoral transistion that the services would sometimes end 15 to 25 minutes early and that created problems and frustration in the youth services. Just a few thoughts to consider.
Hey Pastor,
How about if I sit up front and hold out time cards for the time you used up so far. Just Kidding!
Thanks to all for their comments. I have one question for the last poster: Do you work on the Bethel staff?
The Last Poster:
No I am not but to be honest I was wondering who I could get in trouble. LOL
Pastor Glenn,
I personally could listen to your preaching all day. Sometimes 30-40 minutes is just not enough time to get the message out. I think 45-60 would be a better goal.
In agreeing with the first poster, I think Bethel is hungry and eager to eat up all you have to say.
We thank God for you coming to Hampton Roads and blessing our church.
Nate
PG,
Remember the back side and the audio tech can only endure so much. And you only have so much time before the CD gets filled up.
Your 1st and original soundman
could that last poster be the cookster?
i could fly out and to the yellow card thing
wk
Sorry wk,
I did my time during the first 6 years that CLAG was in existence.
Z-Man
Honestly, if it was me I would go back to 8:30 start time for the first sermon. Then you could have 45-60 minutes to preach the Good Word of God to us. I would much rather come in a half hour earlier and get more preaching in. It is fabulous what you are doing. I find myself eager to get in on Sunday morning to hear you preach and teach. Keep It Up!
OK, 30 minutes is NOT enough time to do justice to the message. I know we had a lot to get in this morning, but it felt like we got the 'lite' version of the sermon. I came back to find this blog to suggest we go back to 8:30 again (we did that up until a year or so ago) to give you time to get it all in. I know it's hard to spend that much time working (especially doing sound for both services) but when it's this important... it's worth it. The Dream message series is spot on and it is really making an impact in a lot of the people I talk to. (In fact, it must have gotten out, because Joel Osteen is stealing your material and doing a live Dream series too!) Keep up the good work. I really love the direction I see us going in.
Jim
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