Another piece from Christianity Today: Adam Stadtmiller’s article on “leading distracted people:”

The issue of ministering to an overwhelmed and distracted culture is one of the greatest challenges for today’s church. The world is not slowing down anytime soon…. Will we continue to align ourselves with the pace of this world, or will we pause and reflect on our ancient foundations and true calling?

I haven’t studied this in depth, but my understanding is that the entrepreneurial pressure to raise money, grow congregations, manage the “eclectic mix of opportunities ranging from Hikers for Jesus to Quilters for Christ,” and otherwise pursue what Stadtmiller calls “manic ministry models” is– maybe not a problem, but certainly a model whose downsides are becoming clear. We’ve spent decades treating contemplative spaces like tropical forests, tearing them up in favor of spaces that are more connected, more networked, more frantic. Now we’re recognizing that hey, maybe those had some value after all.

Stadtmiller discusses another problem as well: how “minor distractions—constant tweeting, text messages, calendar reminders, anxiety-laced news—take us away from the stillness needed to seek God.”

One of the Devil’s greatest tools is distraction. It’s a devastating weapon…. The Devil may smile every time we disobey God blatantly, but he’s just as pleased when he lures us into meaningless distraction. Distraction is the enemy of focus and clarity, two components necessary to lead a spiritual life.

Is there, I wonder, any great thing that can be done when you’re constantly distracted? Can distracted people change the world, write the Great American Novel, solve big problems, deepen their faith? I think not, which is one reason I wrote the book.