Texting in Church...is it okay?
Editorial disclaimer: This is probably not the last post I will write on this topic, so if it interests you, stay tuned. I do want to insert the disclaimer here that I am by no means endorsing the idea constant connectivity is a good thing. It’s not. Hopefully some pastors and others will weigh in on this issue. I invite good discussion as we look for ways for our churches to use social media appropriately.
In case you hadn’t heard, Andy and I are born-and-raised Presbyterian turned Baptist (thanks to one Dr. Greg Belser and a church we now call home named Morrison Heights).
As such, we been watching the #SBC2009 (that’s the Southern Baptist Convention being held in Louisville, Kentucky) this week via Twitter and related video, audio, blog posts and transcripts. I’m excited about their focus on the Great Commission – spreading the Gospel, bringing others to Christ as a singular mission. All the rest will follow as it should (not necessarily as it has been) – in my opinion – not the other way around.
As such, I was thinking about the functions of the Church (not just Baptist ones) and our discussions of web sites and social media, etc. I asked myself… do these tools help us spread the Gospel?
It has often been said in marketing circles (at least during my career of ten years), that good marketers in today’s marketplace were really “evangelists” for a brand or product or experience. And as such, marketers have gotten very good at “spreading the ‘gospel’” of whatever they’re selling. One of the best and most influential books I’ve read in my career was Church of the Customer by the McConnel/Huba team which makes obvious analogies to the church and “spreading the gospel” and “customer evangelism.” It’s always seemed ironic to me that God, throughout the Bible, spells out good evangelism techniques quite clearly. And we (good marketers) apply them very well in the secular world of business marketing.
All the while, it seems like the church has been behind the curve in applying these same techniques to spreading the REAL Gospel.
For the first time tonight (Wednesday night), I sat in church and texted – not the entire time, mind you – but I exchanged 2-3 messages with Andy who was still away at a meeting. In the past, I have always gotten upset with Andy when he’s texting Eric in the sound booth or Dr. Greg or whomever while sitting in church. But tonight, I took a different perspective. It dawned on me while sitting there that it would be okay to text a friend far away that is struggling with life and share something encouraging that I just heard or learned. And it might just be okay to update my Facebook status from the pew and share scripture and let the world experience the inside of a church through my eyes – an experience they might not otherwise have. Or to encourage someone that wasn’t there or couldn’t be there, so they remained engaged and feeling a continuous part of their church community even in their absence. OR maybe I could even Tweet the pastor questions as I think of them during the sermon that he could clarify on a blog later in the week. I personally do a lot of public speaking, and I love the idea that folks could text me questions during speeches and seminars that I could answer at the end. There are a million possibilities – and I’m sure I’m not the first one to go down this road in my mind. But my mind is certainly full of possible opportunities at this point, and it certainly seems like it’s time for churches on a broader scale to step up to the plate and apply our own medicine – and use these new tools to our advantage and quit being so frightful that the tools are of Satan – they aren’t. But the tools certainly can and will be used to do harm – because that’s what happens when a lot of people use anything. Social media is no different. But, oh wait, there’s another opportunity for the church to step in and turn the tide in our favor instead of leaving a void for evil to fill.
What do you think? What might this look like in your church community? What options have you used successfully in your church or ministry with success (or failure)?
I think that staying connected is a vital part to being with your church family. Although, using the “devils tools” to spread the gospel isn’t “cool” and it will probably make some people upset, who cares. I have that right according to the Bill of Rights…. Oh yeah, if you REALLY look back to the founding priciples of the United States of America, the founding reason for this whole country was based upon worship. I pose another question…. When is too much connection during church?
Thanks for the kinds words about our book : )
I share the concern that “too much connection” is possible in a church setting. Ostensibly, worship is personal, albeit in a public environment. Utilizing Twitter and other connection tools is part of the fabric of all our lives, but where the goal is connection with God, does Twitter encourage or complicate the process. I think the latter. Much discernment is necessary with all freedoms and no small measure of responsibility. I say use it all sparingly and keep your eye on the ball.
Agreed.
So, when IS connection to the outside world good for the church?
And what about the questions I have during church but forget by the time I’ve loaded up my three little ones and somehow managed to survive the Sunday lunch routine? Is this that different that using pen and paper?
Thanks for all the good comments – it’s definitely a topic I’m interested in continuing to discuss to find the solutions that will work to advance the work of the Church in the world.