I was reading this article about how churches, rather than asking the congregation to turn their phones off during a service, are doing the opposite. Worshipers are asked to keep their phones on and text questions to the pastor.
Let’s see what they are texting:
During [Rev. Mike] Schreiner’s 30-minute sermon, [director of worship Amie] Haskins received 35 questions.
— When we are in heaven, will we be able to touch our relatives still on Earth?
— Will we look the same, or have new bodies?
— What happens to the baby when a mom has an abortion? Does it go to heaven?
— Will our friends who have not officially accepted Christ within a church environment still be accepted in heaven if they lived a life pleasing to God?
— I’m wondering (and this will sound awful) about people I don’t care to bump into in heaven. Will strained relationships here be awkward there, too?
— When we get to heaven, how will we know what Jesus, or even God, looks like? Could they look just like everyone else?
Schreiner answered just three of them, but the church’s embrace of texting — this was the third week of its experiment — has already improved the dialogue, according to Schreiner, and energized many of Morning Star’s younger members.
“I love it,” said 14-year-old Kailey Elfstrum, who had her text all ready to go even before Schreiner’s sermon began. “You get to ask the pastor anything you want while he’s talking.”
He answered three of them?!
What on earth did he say?! “If you’re ugly on earth, you’ll be ugly in Heaven.” Of course not. He said whatever made the congregation feel good. I wonder how much he could possibly make up without anyone calling him out on it…
Maybe I’m overreacting. The article doesn’t say how he answered.
But I’m willing to take a guess.
And is texting all that necessary? Are pastors so inaccessible nowadays that you’re unable to ask them questions in person? They need screeners? It’s like a church headed by Sarah Palin. (Oh, snap!)
It’s Moving Day for the Friendly ..."
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