Ministry Minute too Mi-nute to Matter?

Recently, I've started producing 60 second "Ministry Minute"

videos and posting them on Facebook, Youtube, and elsewhere. I love doing them, but wonder whether a minute is, well, too mi-nute to matter when it comes to the deeper truths of God's Word, the Bible.

The rationale behind these 60 second spots, is that people's attention span has shortened greatly and since social media is packaged with multiple distractions per second, anything "too long" will be ignored. Recent data collected during our worship service broadcasts shows a dramatic drop in viewers after about 30 minutes. People start watching with the best intentions...but then, "Squirrel!" (Life & Distractions Happen.)

Now don't get me wrong, the "Ministry Minute" videos have been a success. People watch them and share them with friends. The messages are a way to make a single, hopefully powerful point, which will be remembered and used. I plan to continue doing these.

But I'm worried....

Why is it that we can watch a 2 hour movie or football game, but not a worship service or sermon? How is it that God's Word is "too boring" or "too hard" to read? And, how much more is there for me to learn or be blessed by if I could just spend more than a few minutes in scripture or listening to an inspired message?

And, if there's more, are we beyond changing this? Am I/are we truly incapable of training ourselves to focus on what matters most (Matt. 6:33)? Have we gone "past the point of no return" when it comes to discipline and building the capacity of paying attention to what's important for more than a few seconds?

I hope not...in fact, I know better. As a person who struggled with ADHD from the time I was a boy, growing up during a time when hyper kids were just considered "bad" or even incapable of learning, I had to force myself to read and shut-out distractions. While I was placed in remedial reading and other English classes as a child, I went on to graduate with honors and then obtain both a Bachelors and two Masters Degrees.

I know that it's possible to learn to focus. I pray our culture will do what's necessary to develop this ability again--especially when it comes to the Word of God.

To THAT end,

Pastor Joel