What is a Sermonette? (and When to Use One)
The average sermon length is 39 minutes.
But in most situations outside of a church service, 39 minutes of speaking isn't practical.
You need a delivery method for the Gospel that's easy to deliver a powerful message!
For this, you use a sermonette.
I'll cover what a sermonette is, and give you some examples of when to use them.
Sermonette Definition
You can probably guess this on your own: A sermonette is a short sermon or homily, usually lasting only a few minutes. Most are under 10 minutes, but there's no hard and fast rule on length.
The origin of the sermonette
Short sermons have been common for as long as the church has existed.
But the concept became really popular in the early days of the age of television! The Communications Act of 1934 required broadcasters to operate in the "public interest". So many broadcasters would end the daily broadcast with either the national anthem or a sermon (and sometimes both)!
Here's an example from 1984:
What Is The Point Of A Sermonette?
Pastors and church leaders often use a sermonette where there may be time constraints. But you can keep this tool in your toolbag and use it anytime!
The perfect use of sermonettes: Plan an evening of worship, where the praise team takes center stage. Instead of preparing a 45 minute sermon, preach for just a few minutes.
The benefit? You get a break from all the research and sermon prep you always do and your members get an intensely focused message. And because it's shorter, it's easier for them to remember!
Crafting a Sermonette
Crafting a sermonette is similar to crafting a sermon. Here are the 6 easy steps to prep a powerful sermonette.
- Choose a Theme: Select a central theme or topic for your sermonette. This will help you keep the message focused and keep you on topic
- Outline the Message: An outline makes the sermonette easier to memorize, which will help you deliver the sermon with real impact
- Scripture and References: Like a regular sermon, the sermonette must revolve around Scripture
- Personalize the Message: Share personal anecdotes or stories that illustrate your points and connect with the audience on a deeper level. Authenticity and vulnerability can make your message more relatable and impactful
- Keep it Concise: Remember that a sermonette is typically shorter than a traditional sermon. Focus on conveying your message clearly and succinctly without unnecessary elaboration
- Engage the Audience: Keep the audience involved and attentive. Encourage participation through reflection, discussion, or response
Why Sermonettes Are Awesome
Sure, a brief 5-minute message carries the same weight as a 30-minute one. But there's less pressure to craft the message to keep everyone's attention for a long stretch of time.
And that's probably one of the hardest parts of sermon prep if we're honest. It's not easy keeping that one guy from snoring during your sermons!
Nothing but the mic drop
Also. there's less heavy lifting to do throughout the sermon. The goal is to get the point across concisely and directly. No more chasing rabbit trails, no need for lengthy exposition to frame your point.
Think of a sermonette as a sermon with nothing but the "mic drop moment".
When to Use A Sermonette
Here are some examples of situations in which a sermonette is ideal:
- In between songs at a worship night
- Speaking at a funeral
- A speech at a wedding
- Opening talk at a men's breakfast
- Street evangelism
- For a social media post
Share a Brief Word
Lengthy sermons are the norm, but not required. All that matters is that people hear the Gospel and grow in faith. There is no minimum length you must meet to accomplish that. So don't be afraid to use a sermonette!
By personalizing the message and keeping it concise, you can craft a really powerful sermonette that impacts your audience in a new way!
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Matt
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