Technological wonder?

Well all you thumb typing text fans I heard about something right up your alley.

A church in Matthews, NC during their Easter Sunday service was encouraging its present congregation to Twitter during the worship service. The idea was encouraged by the creative worship team, which just so happens to be made of twenty something year olds. The congregation was to place updates on Twitter about their worship experience.

I am not sure how I feel about this. I can see how this is a good idea and a bad idea. Maybe part of it is me being cynical about churches trying to remain ahead of the culture curve. In a way it is a way to encourage growth and help to improve their witness. Sometimes I think it is just a way to use cool technology.

The use of technology is a good way to reach a larger audience. It is amazing how many people will look up sermons or church websites. A church would be able to minister to many who do not even enter its door. Most people today want to see the service on screen. They enjoy reading the words on the screen. I think it reminds them of a concert. In the case of Twitter, if you have followers, you can testify to your friends about what God is doing. It can be used as a witnessing tool.

Now the part that concerns me about Twittering during church. Part of me thinks that it is sad that a person cannot go an hour without updating some form of status. Yes, church is meant to be a personal experience between the worshipper and God, but it is also a time of instruction. Perhaps I am wrong, but how can someone concentrate on the sermon when he is texting on his phone. It just seems like this would be a distraction in trying to listen to the sermon and learn to apply it.

Well at least the worshippers were doing something productive in worship rather than daydreaming.