How Long Should a Church Service BE?

Oookay...I know it's been awhile. But we're back and now we are talking about an old topic that is still a conversation piece today. That is, how long should a church service be? This question seems a bit outrageous honestly. Why? Because you can't put limits on God!

Back in the day, the apostolic church, the C.O.G.I.C. denomination and the pentecostal church amongst others had some "sho' nuff church" as the old folks liked to call it. Morning service would start at about 11am (that is after 9am Sunday School); end around 4pm; break for Sunday dinner in the church's kitchen (you know where you can get those fried chicken dinners for around $5 - $7); then commence to the second service that started around 5 or 6pm.

11am - 4pm? I guess those who were not brought up this way might ask, "What in the world did ya'll do all that time?" Well there was Praise and Worship/Testimony; then the choir processional; morning annoucements (govern yourselves accordingly); prayer; offering; selections; the Word; prayer again and alter call; and finally the benediction. The second service is for the guest preacher to come and do it all over again only with his own choir.

While all of this may seem unneccesary to some, it is the foundation that has molded many Christians today. Most Sunday morning services last a maximum of 2 hours. Some follow this timeframe to please the people because they don't want to "overtax" them, others do it because they are being televised and they have to. As long as we are not putting God in a box, do what you have to do! When church becomes routine and there is no room for God to move and take over in His own way, then that becomes a problem.

The question is, are you going to a church that has service for 2 hours  because it's where God led you and you are being fed spiritually or simply because it is convenient and you can be in and out and still be able to say "I went to church today so I'm good with God?" Just a thought to make you think. Peace.