I have been in some services where the P&W band is playing on and on because they feel led, but most people in the congregation have passed the point where they want to continue singing and are ready for the Word.
I have guest-led in several different churches, and I have found that this is usually the case when people don't really understand worship and the importance of it - when people are focused too much on the message. My home pastor says that the sermon is for us, while the worship is for God. Sadly, many people behave as if the opposite were true.
Non-members and guests may not have the same level of excitement and energy as members. Does it make them feel excluded or lost if the music goes on and on?
The worship is not for them. It's for God. We need to do what God leads - sometimes that will make people feel comfortable, and sometimes it won't.
4) Having a structured order of service and time frame helps to keep the entire service focused and purposeful....[/QUOTE]
I agree that it is important to minister to individuals, but I don't know that the main weekly worship service is NECESSARILY the best time for that. It could, however be that for many, that is the only time they have. We need to follow the Spirit's leading in that too. Some of the most meaningful services I have been in have been like... worship/prophetic word/personal ministry/worship/personal ministry/worship.... and no "sermon".
Also, young children do not last long in the building. Babies need feeding, toddlers need the security of their parents, the elderly need to get off the hard chairs. That might seem too earthly-minded, but we are called to care for each other. It is possible that up to 2/3 of the congregation is not able to make it through a long service well.
People should feel free in a long service to leave the room and take care of needs. But I think that when the Holy Spirit is truly leading, services will not always be long. In my home church, services are usually two hours long. If the worship and personal ministry goes on for a while, the sermon is postponed to next time. Or if the sermon is earlier in the service, worship may not last as long.
Some of the larger churches have multiple services. They have to time the music with precision to make sure the service is done before the next one starts. In those churches, some members will attend more than one service, or stay for two music portions.
In my English-speaking church here in Honduras, we have to plan carefully, because there is a youth service immediately following ours. When I first started going, and especially when I started helping with the worship, four songs did not seem like enough - but you know, the Lord does what He does in the time that we have, and it's usually pretty good. I still wish there was less emphasis on the one guy standing up and talking, but what can i do?
There is a show called Church Rescue on National Geographic.... They convinced him to make his sermons concise and stick to a plan to deliver his message. He found that this worked much better for the congregation and was able to get the point of his sermon accross. This episode was a good demonstration of why it is important to plan the service.
I've never heard of this show - I'm fascinated with the concept, though! I'd LOVE to be a church rescuer - hahah, well, the hubs and I have done some of that kind of work as missionaries - but I want to do more!
