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Technology is changing the way we all relate to the world around us and even traditional institutions are starting to adapt. Reed Galin takes us to a church that’s now preaching the “theology of Twitter” and asking people to text during services! |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Flower Mound, Texas)Pastor John Allen used to think of cell phones as a problem in church.
The Rev. John Allen Jr., Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church: “Got your phones? Hold them up.”
Now, they are spiritual tools.
The Rev. John Allen Jr.: “To be the voice of God, think about that person that needs encouragement and text that person or however you want to connect with them and say, ‘Hey, I’m thinking about you.’”
Allen is encouraging people in Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church in Flower Mound, Texas to embrace the technology of networking through phones and computers, linked through Twitter and Facebook.
The Rev. John Allen Jr.: “The first question was, ‘What does Twitter have to do with the Bible?’ And that came from young and old. I spent a lot of time talking about social networking, talking about the church as the ultimate social network.”
Chris Smith was shocked when Allen encouraged him to get out his phone one Sunday. Smith texted his sister and reestablished contact.
Chris Smith, Member, Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church: “Where do I go?”
Smith’s daughter helped him set up a Facebook account now linked to people from church, and others.
Chris Smith: “You really need to be part of a community to take your Christianity and your relationship with God to the next level.”
The Rev. John Allen Jr.: “It’s a 24-7 real time world that we live in, and yet the church is operating like we can still send out a monthly newspaper. We don’t live in that world anymore.”
Pastor Allen calls it the “theology of Twitter.”
(Greeter says) “Good morning.”
Allen won’t encourage people to pull out their phones every week, now that seeds are planted.
Sharon White, Member, Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church: “I connect with all my church friends and my family on Facebook.”
After a recent surgery, Sharon White found that social media was good medicine.
Sharon White: “I went on Facebook and the amount of prayers that I saw, it was just a beautiful thing and it just helped lift me up.”
The Rev. John Allen Jr.: “It is the connection with friends, with family, with the church, that lasts.”
TAG:
Pastor Allen says the "Twitter Theology" idea came after someone he knew had to go to the emergency room late at night, and sent a Twitter message about what was happening. In no time, people had arranged to stay with his children, and help in other ways. Allen says this is the kind of responsive community a church should be.
For more information, contact Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church at 972-539-8547. Or you can follow John Allen on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jallenjr.
Also, see: Pastor says church ‘ultimate social network’
Posted: June 24, 2009