I read an article in the TIME magazine today about "Twittering in Church" and I found it pretty interesting..maybe just shocking because I wasn't expecting to come across such an article.
A pastor from a church in Lansing, Michigan was attending a conference and tweeting about ways to make church more interesting for many people. Right away, I thought that some people may actually take offense to this because of their strict beliefs about church and the seriousness that many people take to such a setting. In other words, the thought that a pastor is trying to think of ways to make church "not suck" could be taken offensively, but on the other hand could be pure genius. I would be interested to hear more about the reactions to such a statement because as I said, I'm sure some people would have an open mind to such an idea while others would shut it out completely calling it a distraction and a burden on quiet reflection.
Either way, a two week lesson was given to the congregation at Westwinds Community Church to teach about TWITTER!! Congregants brought in their laptops, iphones and blackberrys to check it out and work with it! Some are using it to ask questions about the sermon and others are using it as a note taking tool, but however it is being utilized its purpose it to build community and relationships with God and eachother. Many people say they enjoy learning about what others are saying in regards to what God is doing in their lives...
So do you think there is a time and a place for technology, and church is not it, or are you open to the idea of encouraging the integration? Do you think this will connect people with god and with eachother or is this going too far? Do you think this new idea will stretch amongst churches everywhere or will it stay the minority?
That is hilarious! I would never expected to come across something such as that either....But good for them. I feel that too often, individuals and religious institutions get stereotyped as being obstinate, inflexible, unchanging, etc...if you get my drift and the fact that these people and institutions are venturing into the realm of technology is really cool.
ReplyDelete-Rachel
I have very uneasy feelings about this. Not because i disagree with it.. because i don't at all! i think it is great. But imagine my grandmother sitting in the congregation. She would have NO clue about what is happening in that church service. Was this during a regular service? Or was this more like a workshop? Either way, i love that Churches are keeping up with technology. My pastor here at school uses his iphone for his notes for his sermon every week. i think its hysterical.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that at least this post brought about a laugh! I agree that it is great to see the merge of technology in so many different settings, but think you bring up an excellent point, holly, when you talk about the elder population.
ReplyDeleteFirst, to make sure you understand me right, the church service is not talked about via twitter...the pastor is still speaking...twitter is incorporated for those that would like to use it as a way to ask questions, take notes and see what others are taking away from the sermon, to name a few.
Also, yes this is happening in regular services...it is still the minority, but has potential to stretch amongst a variety of churches everywhere...
my grandparents dont have a computer let alone a cell phone so this would not be something they would participate in, nor want to i don't think, but for others it is considered a great idea.