Protestant Pastors Report Longer Sermon Durations in Recent Years

New data from Lifeway Research indicates that Protestant pastors in the United States are delivering longer sermons compared to six years ago. The percentage of pastors reporting standard sermon lengths of less than 40 minutes decreased from 85% in 2019 to 80% in 2025. Conversely, the number of preachers delivering messages exceeding one hour tripled, rising from 2% to 6% during the same period.

Despite the trend toward longer messages, the majority of churchgoers remain satisfied with current sermon lengths. Research shows that 56% of congregants prefer the duration their pastor typically provides, while 17% desire even longer messages. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, noted that while short-form digital content is popular in modern culture, most churchgoers still value sermons lasting at least 30 minutes. The findings suggest that sermon length remains deeply tied to diverse denominational traditions and congregational contexts across the country.