| Staying in contact and communicating is something | | | | the perfect platform for getting out prayer requests |
| every church needs to do well. Ever thought about | | | | to a entire congregation. You can send out simple or |
| it? Communication is a basic requirement for genuine | | | | last-minute prayer requests to large numbers of |
| community. In terms of cellular communication, | | | | people in a matter of seconds. |
| statistics claim that the average cell phone subscriber | | | | - Childcare Notifications - When a child is in need of a |
| actually made and received more text messages | | | | parent during worship services, some churches use a |
| than cell phone calls. Text messages are the best | | | | number system or display a code on a large screen |
| way to send short, instantaneous messages to large | | | | during worship services. This works pretty well but is |
| numbers of people. | | | | often distracting, even if minimized. What if text |
| The next question is about praxis. What in the world | | | | messaging was used instead? Parents could be |
| can a church do with a group texting system? The | | | | instructed to put their phones on silent (yet fully on) |
| truth is, there is a lot a church could do. They just | | | | during the service and text messaging would be the |
| need to step out, be creative and be willing to see | | | | perfect solution for discrete parental notification. |
| what uses can be rewarding. | | | | - Interactive Sermons - Some churches use slides or |
| First, there are the more basic things that group text | | | | other props that coordinate with the sermon's main |
| messaging can do for churches. These things are not | | | | points. Text messages could be used for this type of |
| particular to churches as these are ways most any | | | | interaction as well. Bullet points could be texted to |
| group or organization can use text messaging. | | | | the entire congregation and they would all have a |
| - Meeting Reminders - Text messages are the | | | | personal electronic copy of the sermon's take-home |
| perfect way to keep staff and teams current on | | | | ideas. They could be sent out either before, during or |
| meetings. You can schedule text messages to be | | | | after the service. |
| sent to everyone 5 minutes, an hour or even a day | | | | - Bible Verses - Church text messaging could also |
| before a scheduled meeting. | | | | take advantage of this instant communication by |
| - Cancellations - The beauty of text messaging is | | | | sending a daily or weekly Bible verse to the |
| that it is instantaneous. People typically read text | | | | congregant's cell phones. The verse could be sent in |
| messages minutes after they receive them. Could | | | | preparation for Sunday worship, during worship or |
| there be a better platform for sending out | | | | even on a daily basis. Receiving a bit of the "word" |
| cancellation notices to large groups? | | | | while in the "real" world is something that everyone |
| - Volunteer Reminders - With text messaging, large | | | | would benefit from. |
| groups of volunteers can be given instructions or | | | | - Lenten and Advent - Send out text messages to |
| kept up to date. Whether in the field or at home, | | | | your church to help them meditate and encourage |
| text messages are quick and effective. | | | | them to participate in the Christian calendar, especially |
| Now, what about those areas of church text | | | | during special church seasons like Lent and Advent. |
| messaging that are a bit more innovative? Well here | | | | You could send daily Bible verses, thoughts or a few |
| are some ideas I came up with. Not all of them may | | | | inspirational words. |
| work or even be desirable. So, think of this more as | | | | The possibilities for innovation around church text |
| brainstorming. I am interested in seeing where this | | | | messaging are impressive. Want to give group |
| technology can take us - if we are open to it. | | | | messaging a try? |
| - Prayer Requests - Church text messaging would be | | | | |