Podcast Summary: Crazy Love Podcast

Episode: Staff Talks with Francis: The Real Fear of Missing Out

Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Crazy Love Ministries / Francis Chan

Episode Overview

In this debut “Staff Talks with Francis” episode, Francis Chan opens up during an informal Crazy Love staff meeting about the modern challenge of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and how it collides with Christian faith and leadership. Emerging from a recent trip to Brazil, Francis shares candid reflections on the pressure to keep up with information, world events, ministry controversies, and even family demands. The core theme: what if the greatest FOMO isn’t missing out on the news or trends, but missing what God wants to say to us—especially in the noise of our hyper-connected world?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Overload of Modern Life and “Christian FOMO”

• Francis describes the overwhelm of information overload: news, cultural events, ministry developments, and religious controversies.
  • Quote:
    “I struggled with, I guess, a form of FOMO where I just want to know about everything. So you don't sound stupid.” (01:24)
• He highlights how even positive or necessary information (like global suffering, theology, or supporting friends) can become a spiritual distraction.

2. The Real Fear of Missing Out: God's Voice

• Francis shares a personal conviction experienced during his lengthy travels—a realization that in the busyness and need for input, we might drown out God’s whispers.
  • Quote:
    “Honestly, he gave me a greater FOMO where he says, if you're going to do all that, what if I had something to say to you? But you were watching a video, you were studying, you were doing this, this, this...What if I come to the end of my life and he said I had so much more for you?” (05:54)
• He describes the new intimacy and importance he feels about simply being present to God’s nudges and the people nearby.

3. The Discipline of Limitation and Presence

• Francis acknowledges his tendency toward obsessive communication and responsiveness, but recognizes limits are necessary.
  • Quote:
    “You really can't do it all, or you will miss out on the most important things, and you miss out on what you were created for and the fellowship.” (09:25)
• He advocates for:
  • Scheduled, limited checking of emails and texts
  • Reduced screen and video intake
  • Being present (with God, family, people in the room)

4. Family, Missed Moments, and the Cost of Distraction

• Francis vulnerably reflects on missed opportunities with friends and family, noting how easy it is to lose precious time.
  • Quote:
    "How much longer is Ellie going to be in the home?...I gotta just control the screens and the demands and the pressure and the shaming of, you don't know this. You don't know that, and I don't want to miss that." (11:38)
• He expresses regret over friends he failed to see truly, even just before tragedy struck, underscoring the weight of presence.

5. Inspirations from Saint Francis, Family, and Fellow Leaders

• A recent study into Saint Francis of Assisi (and Claire) shapes his thinking on radical commitment and bold action.
• Francis muses about more adventurous, purpose-driven involvement with his children’s projects and spiritual journeys.

6. Leadership, Calling, and Not “Stopping Short”

• Francis recounts a conversation with pastor David Platt about Genesis 28—Jacob nearly reaching Bethel but falling short, with dire consequences.
  • Quote (David Platt paraphrased):
    “In my life, I don’t want to stop short of what I know God's called me to. I don’t want to, like, make this journey and just...could it be that sometimes in our lives we don’t trust God and just go that little bit more to what we really know he called us to?” (17:00)
• Francis connects this to his own seasons in ministry and the temptation to back down, yet senses a call to go "to the extreme" in obedience.

7. Hearing God’s Voice Above the Noise

• Francis shares the two most vivid times he "heard God’s voice"—once in Hong Kong (a call to return and reshape church models) and once during YWAM in Kona (a call to care for a new community).
  • Quote:
    “Sometimes it's usually not for me. I can't say that I heard an audible voice, but that doesn't matter. Like, we're talking about God, who doesn't have to go through my eardrums to get a thought in my mind or in my soul.” (21:56)
• He stresses spiritual discernment means tuning out accusations and distractions—even when they come from inside the church.

8. The Next Generation and Character Formation

• Cautions against today's instant platform culture—young leaders rising fast without the years of anonymous, humble training that build capacity and character.
  • Reminisces on Tim Keller’s decades-long, low-profile ministry as a character builder essential to withstanding scrutiny and flattery.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Francis Chan [05:54]
  “What if in silence, God just wanted to tell me how much he loved me that day, but I was scrolling...and now it’s like, I seriously was just on the plane going, God, I don’t want to miss it.”
• Francis Chan [09:25]
  “You really can't do it all, or you will miss out on the most important things, and you miss out on what you were created for and the fellowship.”
• Francis Chan [21:56]
  “We're talking about God, who doesn't have to go through my eardrums to get a thought in my mind or in my soul. He's the Creator. He can communicate to me without my eyes and ears or even my mind imagining, according to First Corinthians, he'll reveal things through His spirit.”
• Francis Chan [24:30, humor]
  “We know what life was like before all these gadgets. What do you children call them? Devices? Sounds less lame that way. Do you even say lame anymore? I do. You do? OK. I don’t want to get cooked.”

Important Timestamps

• 00:46 – Francis begins his story about travel, information overwhelm, and FOMO
• 05:54 – The "greater FOMO" of missing God's voice
• 09:25 – Realization you can’t do it all
• 11:38 – Reflections on family time, missed opportunities and screen limitations
• 17:00 – Genesis 28: Not stopping short of God’s call (w/ David Platt)
• 21:56 – On hearing God’s voice and spiritual communication
• 24:30 – Generational humor and responsibility with technology

Takeaways

• Presence over Pressure: The most meaningful moments—spiritual, relational, missional—are missed when we're constantly trying to keep up with the latest or respond instantly.
• Intentional Discipline: Limiting input, screen time, and information is an act of stewardship, not negligence.
• Generational Stewardship: Those who remember life before technology have wisdom to offer; instant platforms can’t replace deep formation.
• Obedience over Exhaustion: The real fear isn’t missing out on news or trends, but on what God is saying and doing through us, right now.

For more conversations and resources, visit crazylove.org.