I was listening to comedian Andrew Schulz on Mike Birbiglia’s Working It Out podcast when he said something that stopped me in my tracks:
“People will only give you 10 seconds to tell a story.”
That’s not just comedy advice. That’s ministry advice.
Whether you're giving a homily, sending an email to parents, leading a training for volunteers, or even welcoming a teen into youth group — you’ve got about 10 seconds to make it worth their attention.
And if you don’t? They’re not rude. They’re just human. Distracted. Overloaded. Thinking about dinner. Wondering if they parked in the right spot.
THINK LIKE A COMEDIAN, TEACH LIKE JESUS
Comedians don’t assume the audience is there for them — they earn their attention. That’s why they do crowd work and open mics. They test material. They tweak lines. They pay attention to what lands.
In ministry, we often assume people will listen because it’s Church, because it’s important, or because we have a mic in our hand.
But let’s not forget — Jesus didn’t assume attention either.
“There was a man who had two sons…”
“A sower went out to sow…”
“Who do you say that I am?”
He led with tension. He led with story. He led with questions that drew people in.
Not theology lectures. Not announcements.
WHERE THIS MATTERS MOST
Let’s get super practical. That 10-second window shows up everywhere:
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Homilies & talks: Start with something they’ll feel, not just something you want them to know.
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Emails: Make your subject line and first line count. Ask yourself, “Why would I open this if I were a busy parent?”
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Parent meetings: Don’t open with logistics. Open with a story or a vision that helps them see why any of this matters.
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Youth ministry nights: You can lose a room full of teens before you even introduce the theme. Start with energy, story, or something that matters to them.
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Trainings: Diocesan or parish-level, leaders need to know this moment matters. Don’t start with your agenda — start with their pain points.
PRACTICE BEFORE THE BIG MOMENTS
Comedians don’t record their specials off the cuff — they spend months working the bit.
They try new stuff in small clubs. They bomb. They adjust. Then they come back stronger.
Ministry leaders should do the same.
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If you’re giving a big talk — at a retreat, for a Confirmation night, at Sunday Mass — practice out loud.
Record yourself. Watch it back. Ask for feedback from someone who will be honest.
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If you’re writing something important — a parent letter, a newsletter, even a social media post — run it by someone else. Or use a tool like ChatGPT and ask:
“Does this opening grab attention? What would a parent think reading this?”
(It’s wild what you’ll learn by viewing your message from the audience’s seat.)
TWO ACTION STEPS TO TRY THIS WEEK
Here’s how to put this into practice right away:
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Record yourself: Before your next talk or training, record your opening 30 seconds. Watch it. Ask, “Would I keep listening?” Share it with someone and get feedback.
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Test your writing: Take your next email or newsletter and run it by a teammate or AI. Ask: “Would I open this? Is the first line clear and compelling?”
DON’T WASTE THE FIRST 10 SECONDS
You don’t need to be flashy or perfect. You just need to be aware. You’re stepping into a noisy, distracted world — so take the time to prepare, to practice, and to lead with something worth leaning into.
The first 10 seconds matter. Make them count.
What’s one upcoming moment — a talk, meeting, or email — where you can rethink how you start?