I've come across some Africans resident abroad say they avoid "African" churches because their services are too long; while others say long services are evidence of the Holy Spirit being in control.

So, should the spirituality of a Church be gauged by the length of its services?

Don't think it matters though

It doesn't matter as long as you are happy being in the presence of God. My church, RCCG Restoration Chapel, our service may be lengthy to some (about 2.5 hrs) but it isn't to me.

It matters ooo. If you say you're closing 12pm (which is supposed to be the normal closing time in Nigeria), then it better be 12pm. I can only add 5 minutes for the grace.

manny4life:
It doesn't matter as long as you are happy being in the presence of God. My church, RCCG Restoration Chapel, our service may be lengthy to some (about 2.5 hrs) but it isn't to me.

That's not lengthy. The folks that complain about lengthy services usually refer to churches that hold services for 4+ hours.

Afam4eva:
It matters ooo. If you say you're closing 12pm (which is supposed to be the normal closing time in Nigeria), then it better be 12pm. I can only add 5 minutes for the grace.

And we hope the Lord's Prayer won't be added to it

It does matter,service shouldn't be how far,but how well.

Why stay long in the first place,little wonder,the new generation churches are taking over..

Last time I went with a friend to his church(cele),we had the service from 10am-4-30pm- too long..

I nearly had meningitis due to hunger. Next sunday he called me again,I told him to swerve,that am not going..

CFCfan:


And we hope the Lord's Prayer won't be added to it

We hope Not

^^
Ami

it matters to me

As for me,i will say it depends on the manner in which the service structured.

Spending 2 hours on the Pulpit as pastor to preach does not necessarily mean you will deliver SOUND DOCTRINE.
In some chruches,On a typical sunday service where sermon is like 90 minutes.
Some Pastors spend like 60 minutes to talk off course e.g career talk,Jokes,football gist etc ,before you know 1hr has gone inside 90 minutes,So what is left?

If it is sound doctrine alone and the church is spending rigorous time to teach sound doctrine and pray.
Then it is a good and spiritual church.

For example,the church I attend.
On a sunday morning.
Prayers starts (7:30am-8:am) 30 mins,
Worship session(8-00-8:15 or 8:20)15-20 mins,
teaching session(8:20-9:40)good 90 minutes,
then the remaining 20 min for announcements and offering.

That a total of 2hrs30minutes.which is worth while.

It should not matter, however, God's an orderly God, and He's timely.

I remember when Jesus was having a crusade, and at a point He stopped, knowing the folks are hungry /getting hungry. He had to stop.

Point is, most churches/Pastors do not know what to do in the first 30-45mins of their preaching, and alot of times, before they get to the crux of the matter, folks are already tired and frankly distracted. Some would start sleeping, some will start counting the number of lights in the hall, or why the Pastor wore the colour of tie he wore...

This makes one term a program or service 'long'. However, I've been in a meeting with Pastor Chris... A teaching meeting, he started by 7pm,and closed closed around past 10pm. Folks were complaining why he was stopping sef, when he said he gotta close. Was the service long? Yes... Did some complain, yes! Did some leave? Yes!... What then? There are some teaching meetings that cannot be done within an hour (the preaching alone o), impartation meetings nko?... But hey, most of his 'normal' meetings are between 45mins to an hour sermon. It's left for one to know what kinda meeting a service is, and how long it would take..

But it's very good to regulate services, my church does everything within 2hrs...but there are some services that cannot end within 2hrs,there's where spiritual maturity comes in... You do not complain about a meeting with God, you shouldn't,for you know not what the Lord has instock.

If your church pastor 'wastes' time always, pray for the structuring.. It's rude to walk out of a service (and 98% of those walking out has nothing important to go do) . It's not the way soldiers do, for the bible calls us soldiers of Christ.

Over matters to me.

Typically workers meeting starts 7:00am (Too early for moi ) and service closes by 11:30am (thinks it's too long ) However,

7:00am - 8:00am - Workers prayer meeting
8:00am - 8:30am - Visitation
8:30am - 9:30am - Sunday School
9:30am - 9:50am - Praise & Worship
9:50am - 11:30am - {Prayers, Bible reading, Announcements, Tithes and Offering, Choir Ministration, Sermon and benediction}

Help me tell my pastor Workers' Meeting is too early Sunday is a day of rest

1Hr 30mins maximum!
Except for special programs.







I'm out!

Dzany:
1Hr 30mins maximum!
Except for special programs.







I'm out!

Lol. According to most Nigerians, you must be attending an "oyinbo" church.

That's why I love my catholic church. Mass 30mins- 2hrs max and we r done no time wasting at all. Straight 2 d matter at hand. If u make the mass/ service too long pple get bored,distracted n stop following so it don't make sense.

CFCfan:
I've come across some Africans resident abroad say they avoid "African" churches because their services are too long; while others say long services are evidence of the Holy Spirit being in control.

So, should the spirituality of a Church be gauged by the length of its services?

It matters to me. I can't imagine myself sitting in a church from morning till 2pm.

Churches should be brief so they don't bore their members. 7:30-11am is ok for me.

7:00am - 8:30am - Workers prayer meeting
8:00am - 8:30am - Visitation
8:30am - 8:45am - Sunday School
8:45am - 9:05am - Praise & Worship
9:05am - 11:00am - Testimony, choir ministration, Sermon,Prayers, offering, Grace.

I attended a church where the above is the programme for a Sunday service. I felt a judicious use of my time in the presence of God. No shouting of 7 thunderous Hallelujahs during testimony, no unnecessary announcements, etc. In fact preaching was 1hr+.

Unlike some other churches I often attend, where they claim spending so much time in the church is commitment to God. They also say they are always under the influence of the Holy Spirit and that's why they spend much time.

Time Management should also be taken to churches

I recommend this for FP
Cc: lalasticlala, Seun