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How Long Should a Sermon Be?

  • Sam Peters
  • Apr 14
  • 6 min read

The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? - Ecclesiastes 6:11 NIV


We’ve all been there. You’re in the middle of your sermon, pouring your heart into the message, when you glance out at the congregation—Brother Billy Bob is fast asleep. A few rows back, someone’s stifling a yawn, their lips pressed tightly together in a losing battle. You know your sermon holds life-changing truth, but somehow, you’ve lost your audience.

Early in my ministry, I thought the solution was more enthusiasm. If I preached with enough energy, surely people would stay engaged. That worked—up to a point.

I started preaching at 22, under the mentorship of a great pastor known for his fiery, hellfire-and-brimstone sermons. When he gave me my first opportunity—a Wednesday night service—I was both excited and nervous. He reassured me it would be a supportive crowd, just the home folks. The congregation was used to Pastor Ronnie preaching at least 45 minutes on Wednesdays (and nearly an hour on Sundays), so I prepared carefully, writing out my notes on index cards. But when I stepped up to preach, my entire message lasted just 15 minutes. The congregation seemed caught off guard by the extra time. I think they ended up singing all 81 verses of Just As I Am just to fill the gap.

As I preached more, my sermons got longer. I adopted the same passionate style I had learned under Pastor Ronnie, and before long, I was traveling to preach at revival meetings, delivering 30- to 45-minute sermons.

But something changed when I turned 50. I shifted from standalone messages to more structured sermon series, focusing on key topics over multiple weeks. And with that shift, something surprising happened—my sermons became shorter, averaging 20-25 minutes. Yet, instead of feeling like I was saying less, my messages became clearer, more detailed, and more impactful. Looking back, I see that my early preaching relied on a lot of words (and energy), but the depth wasn’t there. Some of that growth came from experience and maturity in studying Scripture, but much of it came from learning to structure my sermons differently. Series preaching allowed me to break messages into digestible pieces rather than trying to cover everything at once. It helped me bring the message down to a level where everyone could grasp it, rather than delivering a 45-minute overview that left people overwhelmed.

So, as you think about your sermons and their impact, consider this—could the length of your message be working against you? Longer doesn’t always mean better. After all, the heart can only absorb what the rear end can endure.

Why Preaching a Series Can Be More Effective

Some preachers hesitate to break a sermon into multiple parts, thinking every message needs to be a complete meal, fully satisfying on its own. But imagine trying to eat an entire feast in one sitting. Even the best food loses its appeal when served in overwhelming portions. The same is true of sermons.

Breaking a great message into a 3- or 4-part series has several advantages:

  1. Better Retention – Listeners absorb information more effectively when it's presented in smaller, digestible portions. Instead of walking away overloaded, they leave each week with a clear, memorable takeaway.

  2. Deeper Engagement – A series allows you to explore a topic from multiple angles. This keeps the congregation engaged over time, anticipating the next message rather than feeling overwhelmed by too much information at once.

  3. More Relevance – You can tailor each sermon to specific aspects of people’s lives. Whether following a lectionary or a topical approach, breaking up your message helps you connect with real-life struggles and questions.

  4. Room for Reflection – When you spread a message across several weeks, people have time to process and apply what they’ve learned before moving on to the next point.

  5. Easier Application – Instead of listing ten application points in a single sermon, you can focus on one key action step each week, making it easier for listeners to put their faith into practice.

Preaching in series doesn’t mean you lose depth—it means you gain clarity. A single message may spark inspiration, but a well-planned series builds transformation.

Five Tips for Preaching Shorter but More Impactful Sermons

If you’re ready to trim your sermon time without sacrificing depth, here are five practical tips:

1. Focus on One Big Idea

Instead of cramming multiple points into one sermon, zero in on a single, powerful idea. Ask yourself, What is the one thing I want people to remember this week? If they forget everything else, what truth should stick with them?

A sermon that tries to cover too much often ends up covering nothing effectively. By honing in on one clear takeaway, you make your message more memorable and actionable.

2. Trim the Excess

Many sermons contain unnecessary repetition, lengthy introductions, or theological tangents that aren’t essential to the main point. One way to refine your message is to go through your notes and ask: Does this add clarity or just add words?

Be ruthless in cutting anything that doesn’t serve your central message. This doesn’t mean dumbing down the content—it means sharpening it.

3. Use Stories Wisely

Stories are a powerful way to illustrate truth, but they can also drag a sermon past its ideal length. Choose your stories carefully and make sure they reinforce the main point rather than serve as entertaining distractions.

A well-placed, short story that connects emotionally is far more effective than multiple long-winded ones that wander away from the message.

4. Preach With a Clear Structure

A wandering sermon loses listeners quickly. Use a simple, clear structure to guide your message:

  • Introduction – Capture attention and set up the problem or question.

  • Biblical Foundation – Root the sermon in Scripture, making it the anchor.

  • Main Point – Unpack the central truth with clarity.

  • Application – Show how it connects to real life.

  • Conclusion – Reinforce the main takeaway and call to action.

A clear outline keeps you focused and prevents unnecessary detours.

5. End Strong (and On Time!)

Many preachers lose impact because they don’t know when to stop. The conclusion is where you drive home the message—but it’s also where many sermons unravel. Avoid the temptation to keep adding more thoughts as you close.

A strong ending should do three things:

  1. Reinforce the main takeaway.

  2. Challenge the listener with application.

  3. Leave room for the Holy Spirit to work.

If you want to know whether your sermons are too long, ask someone you trust for honest feedback. And if you’re consistently going over 30-40 minutes, consider tightening your approach.

Final Thoughts

The goal of preaching isn’t just to fill time—it’s to transform lives. Sometimes, saying less allows people to hear more. Whether you follow a lectionary or preach topically, breaking messages into a series and keeping them focused will help you connect more deeply with your congregation.

So, as you prepare your next sermon, ask yourself: Is this the right length for the message—or just the length I’m used to preaching? You might find that shorter sermons, delivered with clarity and relevance, have a greater impact than the longest messages you've ever preached.

And remember: The heart can only absorb what the rear end can endure.

 

Let’s Talk About Your Church’s Sermon Strategy

Preaching is both an art and a calling, and finding the right balance between depth and engagement takes intentionality. If you’re a pastor wrestling with how to structure your sermons for greater impact—or if your church is struggling to keep people engaged—I’d love to help.

Each month, I set aside several hours for free consulting to support pastors and church leaders in navigating challenges like sermon development, church revitalization, and discipleship strategies. If you’d like to schedule a conversation, feel free to reach out!

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If this article encouraged you, please share it with fellow pastors and leaders in your network. And if you haven’t already, I invite you to subscribe to my website for ongoing resources, insights, and a free copy of my 28-day devotional, Living in Love: A 28-Day Journey Through Scripture.

Let’s work together to strengthen our churches, sharpen our sermons, and see lives transformed for the Kingdom!

 

 
 
 

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