Short Sermons

Sermons can be too long or too short. They generally range from ten minutes to two hours or more. For most Americans I would imagine the shorter the better. Some experts suggest 22 minutes as ideal for our fast-paced society and limited attention span. Seniors can easily have a senior moment when the sermon is too long or goes past 12:00 o'clock.

Then, some churches use their signs for one-sentence sermons (attention grabbers, food for thought, and other purposes). The following sign messages from a variety of churches were published in Life, March 28, 2007. How they got on my desk I can't remember.

LOOKING FOR A LIFEGUARD/ OURS WALKS ON WATER

WAL MART ISNT (sic) THE ONLY SAVING PLACE IN TOWN

SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE IT CONTAINS NO CALORIES

KEEP USING MY NAME IN VAIN I'LL MAKE RUSH HOUR LONGER

LET'S MEET AT MY HOUSE ON SUNDAY BEFORE THE GAME GOD

DON'T WAIT FOR SIX STRONG MEN TO TAKE YOU TO CHURCH

HEAVEN IS A COOL PLACE

ATM INSIDE ATONEMENT TRUTH - MERCY - ITALIAN WORSHIP THURS 7:30

GIVE YOUR TROUBLES TO GOD HE'S UP ALL NIGHT ANYWAY

SIGN BROKEN MESSAGE INSIDE THIS SUNDAY

No doubt you've seen many messages, some better than others. A neighboring church has had a message on its marquee for weeks honoring its recently deceased pastor.

Ah, yes.