Key Verse:
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." —Isaiah 55:11
The Speed of Now vs. The Slowness of Scripture
Last Sunday, I watched a teenager in my congregation scroll through TikTok during the announcements. By the time I stepped behind the pulpit, she had consumed approximately 47 pieces of content—each designed to capture her attention for exactly 15 seconds before moving to the next dopamine hit.
Then I opened my Bible and began a 30-minute exposition of Romans 8.
Welcome to ministry in 2025, where pastors compete with an ecosystem designed to fragment attention, monetize distraction, and commodify truth into instantly consumable content.
TikTok has fundamentally rewired how an entire generation processes information. The average Gen Z adult switches between media platforms every 19 seconds. Meanwhile, spiritual formation has always been slow work. Biblical truth doesn't trend. Sanctification doesn't go viral. Character development can't be compressed into a 60-second video.
The Temptation to TikTok-ify the Gospel
The pressure is real. Church growth consultants tell us to make services "more engaging." Marketing experts advise us to "meet people where they are." Some pastors respond by TikTok-ifying their ministry—sermons become performance art, biblical teaching gets reduced to soundbites, and truth is tailored to what the algorithm wants to hear.
But here's what we must remember: The Gospel doesn't need to be made relevant—it is relevant. Truth doesn't need to be trending to be transformative.
The Courage of Consistency
Paul's ministry model offers a striking contrast to our TikTok world. In 1 Corinthians 2:4, he writes:
"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power."
Paul wasn't trying to go viral. He was consistent, faithful, and absolutely confident that God's Word would accomplish what God intended. This is what our TikTok world desperately needs: pastors who are courageously consistent.
Consistent in preaching the whole counsel of God, not just the popular parts
Consistent in calling sin what it is, even when culture redefines it
Consistent in pointing to Christ, not to trending topics
Consistent in teaching truth that transforms, not content that merely entertains
The Long Game of Discipleship
While TikTok trains people to consume content passively, we're teaching them to meditate on truth actively. While social media algorithms feed people exactly what they want to hear, we're faithfully declaring what they need to hear. While the digital world promises instant gratification, we're patiently cultivating fruit that will last for eternity.
Our congregations don't need another entertainment option. They need pastors who will faithfully teach God's Word, patiently shepherd their souls, and consistently point them to Jesus Christ—the same yesterday, today, and forever.
The trends will change. The algorithms will evolve. But the Word of the Lord stands forever.
Prayer Thought
Lord, in a world obsessed with the next trend, give me the courage to consistently proclaim Your unchanging truth. Help me trust that Your Word will accomplish its purpose, even when the results aren't immediately visible or viral. Keep me faithful to the long work of discipleship. Amen.
Pastoring Tip
Create "analog moments" in your digital ministry. Occasionally start the service with 60 seconds of complete silence for prayer. Build in pauses during your preaching to let important truths settle. In our hyper-connected world, these intentional disconnections often become the most spiritually connecting moments.
Ready-to-Teach Mid-Week Studies
When you're focused on faithful Sunday preaching, mid-week preparation can feel overwhelming. That's why we created MidWeekBibleStudies.com—complete 2,000+ word teaching manuscripts with alliterated outlines, word studies, discussion questions, and seasonal content delivered monthly. From the creator of SermonSubscription.com and ExpositoryPulpit.com.
Note: All Scripture from the NIV Bible Translation.