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Length of homilies

Is there any sort of consensus on what the length of homilies should be? I find that the shorter homilies (5 minutes) are typically not as edifying as a longer homily. I think that is because the shorter the homily the less likely it is to really delve into, and help us in our struggles.
Here is one Orthodox priest sermon that tends to agree with that assestment: Fr. Pat Reardon - All Saints Homilies [audio.ancientfaith.com]

If you think that the homilies are perhaps too short and/or not informative what is the best way to approach broach that subject?
I think that if a priest is splitting his time between parishes, that may play a part in how long he speaks (if he has to rush over to another parish). Yet I can't help but thinking that we would benefit from longer, in-depth, teaching. Is this particular to Byzantine Catholicism (or more likely to my area)? I have heard many good sermons on line by Orthodox priest, whose liturgies already tend to be longer than ours, who don't seem to be concerned about preaching 15-20 minutes.

I'm trying to get mine down to 15 minutes...

Ultimately, I think it does depend on what the Holy Spiit places in your heart to say.

I think 15+ is good. Most of the congregation probably won't seek out additional resources with which to grow spiritually.
Though written for Roman Catholic priests, most of these tips seem like they would be helpful:

Fifteen Tips for Better Preaching by David Mills [insidecatholic.com]

I would add to Mr. Mills' points by adding snippets from the lives of the Saints. One should use their stories to give examples for us to emulate.

In my Sunday homilies I try to aim around the 10 minute mark. With three readings and the psalm to choose from, or the Liturgical occasion, I pick one theme and try to elucidate that and make it applicable or "hit home." I try to catechize, apply doctrine, make them identify with Christ and His Church - so that more and more they are challenged to subjectively accept both more fully.

In seminary we are cautioned about the attention span of the average American - 12 minutes - the length between TV commercials.

I usually go past that, but am very careful to "read" the people's actions so that I don't lose them...

As Deacons in formation we are being trained to deliver good homilies in 3-5 minutes.

I guess they figure we will end up using twice as much time anyway, but people in my class have been pretty good with the time constraints (we're all still working on quality, of course).

They also figure that our regular "venue" for homilies will be baptisms, weddings and funerals, as opposed to Sunday Mass, so a shorter homily is even more appropriate.

Shalom,
Memo

While some may like a longer homily after 10 minutes you are going to lose the attention span of 90% of the people. I think 5-10 minutes is the optimal range for your average Sunday. This is what every homiletics teacher I have had has taught and after giving the homily every other Sunday for 5 years I agree.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Glory to Jesus Christ!
Fr Deacon Lance, I agree. I try to have 7 minute homilies, and I believe the people stay connected.
I do have a question: In the Paschal season, should the homilist speak for a longer period?
I have been told that this is the time the risen Christ is with us, and that the homilist should spend a little more time with the people during this season.
I would be interested in comments on this.
May you have a most blessed Holy Week.
Deacon El

We were taught 15 minutes, three main points. I have also tried to stick to that rule. At Vespers I will often keep it to 10 minutes or so.

I personally don't think that we should limit homilies to 10 minutes simply because so many people have such short attention spans. Why not also truncate the entire Divine Liturgy such that it's over in half an hour? The proclamation of the Gospel of our great Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ deserves more than 10 minutes, if more than 10 minutes is needed to do justice to the text. For those who can listen for only 10 to 12 minutes due to the influence of TV, perhaps they need to spend less time in front of the TV. I bet most people can pay attention for more than 12 minutes if they choose to watch a movie.

Ryan

I don't know if your last post was directed towards me, but I am not worried about attention spans. I mentioned 10 minutes only for Vespers, and even that is a somewhat loose rule with me. Most clergy don't preach at all at Vespers, and I regularly do that. Since the Catechetical Directory for the Ukrainian Catholic Church instructs us that "The liturgical life of the Church occupies a special place as a source of catechesis" and later "The Liturgy has been a basic source of catechesis for centuries" I take every opportunity I can to pass on whatever scattered insights I may have about the richness of our lex orandi , its immense catechetical potential, and the wonderful transfiguring revelation of the Word we have throughout the entirety of the Divine Praises in our tradition.

If a Gospel is preached, I usually, as I mentioned, I will usually preach longer, but still try to keep it (down) to 15 minutes and three main points. This is reasonable, enough time to impart some fairly developed insights, and certainly do-able for the homilist. This three-point, 15 minute general guideline has more to do with my own discipline in staying focused and on track than concern for attention spans.

My previous post was directed at no one person.

Ryan

Yes - 15 minutes, 3 points is an ideal.

Hi again,

Well, as to the structure of the homily, this is what I follow:

One idea as introduction (can be a story, an anecdote or even a joke, if it's pertinent).

No more than three ideas or points as content.

One conclusion.

One call to action.

This also happens to be a commonly used technique for sales pitches, and what a good salesperson will tell you is that the difference between the conclusion and the call to action is key.

Homilies, just like sales pitches are not meant to be informative, rather, they are meant to be persuasive. Both the homilist and the salesperson want their audiences to be moved to "DO" something.

So, the first thing I ask when I prepare a homily is: What does God want the congregation to "DO" after listening to His Word, this time?

The entire homily flows from the answer to that question.

Shalom,
Memo

Well, given the lack of knowledge of Holy Scripture and Church teaching of so many Christians, I believe that there is a great need in the Church for homilies to inform and teach, as well as to move Christians to action.

Ryan