Skip to content ↓

The First Two Minutes Matter Most

Two Minutes

It’s obvious, I know. It’s been said a million times by a million different people. But, in my defense, it’s been forgotten by a million more. I’ve said it and neglected it too many times to count: The first two minutes matter most.

Today Christians are gathering all across the world for our worship services. We will read the Bible, sing the Bible, pray the Bible, preach the Bible, and learn better how to live out the Bible. Then the service will end and the first two minutes will matter most.

In the first two minutes, so many people will make the decision to stay or to go.

In the first two minutes, visitors will feel either awkward or welcome. In the first two minutes, unbelievers will feel either rejected or accepted. In the first two minutes, the lonely will feel either neglected or comforted. In the first two minutes, so many people will make the decision to stay or to go.

Here’s the challenge: Determine right now that when the service ends, you will do your utmost to give the first two minutes to someone you don’t know or to someone you don’t know well. The temptation will be to turn straight to your friends, to immediately catch up with the people you know the best and love the most. There will be time for that. But first you can make a difference in someone’s day and maybe even in someone’s life if only you’ll make the most of the moments following that final “amen.” It’s the first two minutes that matter most.


  • Works and Wonders May 17

    Works & Wonders (May 17)

    Works & Wonders features Nate Bargatze vs. Beyoncé, Eric Church & Jonathan Haidt, houses for €1, “Gone Away with a Friend,” hymn sings, a Sunday devotional, and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    Weekend A La Carte (May 16)

    Long form and think pieces on Ben Sasse’s miracle drug / The tragedy of Mrs. Dr. Seuss / Birthrate collapse / 30-minute meetings / Your Gen Z employees / The clippening / One awkward moment / Chatfishing / and more.

  • Gods Great Big Global Church

    Teach Your Children About God’s Great Big Global Church

    My new book releases today, and I would love it if you’d buy a copy for the children in your life! God’s Great Big Global Church, a beautifully illustrated picture book, will introduce them to 10 kids and their churches from all around the world.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (May 15)

    A tough means of grace / In defense of purity culture / You can’t love the church in the abstract / A promiscuous past and a Christian marriage / The Lord of the traffic jam / Divorce and remarriage / Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation / and more.

  • A La Carte Collection cover image

    A La Carte (May 14)

    Angels / Dimensions / A Christian view of UFOs / Having a baby has slowed me down / What you can’t give your children / Performative busyness / His Father’s Son / Natural theology / Deals / and more.