Pastors

Text Appeal

How churches are integrating new communication tools into ministry.

If you haven’t heard, e-mail is so 2006. Text messages sent via cell phones are quickly becoming the communication method of choice, especially among young adults. And churches are now finding ways to integrate the medium into their ministries.

Earlier this year, Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, fielded churchgoers’ questions sent through text messages during his “Religion Saves” sermon series. The approach offered anonymity (no one had to go up to an open mic) and broader participation (off-site viewers, including those watching streamed video online from home, could send in questions).

The ability to interact with the preaching via text messaging during the sermon was so well received that Mars Hill is planning to expand its use.

At Lake Pointe Church near Dallas, Mason Randall says his skateboarding outreach ministry has grown about 25 percent during the past year largely because of text messages sent through EZTexting.com.

Randall, the congregation’s student outreach pastor, pays EZTexting.com about 2.5 cents per message per student to blast out reminders of upcoming events or to communicate prayer requests. He strategically times his messages to reach nearly 350 students at opportune moments such as weekday mornings before school and during lunch hours. He figures he pays between $50 and $100 a month to do it.

“Most of the people I hang out with are glued to their cell phones,” Randall says. “Teenagers don’t do anything with e-mail.” Like Mars Hill, Skate Church also offers opportunities for students to text questions during Tuesday night sermons.

Randall expects to see text messaging grow beyond youth groups: “I see more and more adults becoming text-message savvy and doing more things on their cell phones than ever before.”

But don’t send too many texts, he warns: Not everyone has unlimited text-messaging plans with their cell phones, so some have to pay to receive messages.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

What you need and don't need to go missional.

Our Latest

Our Faith’s Future Depends on Discipleship

The Lausanne Movement’s State of the Great Commission report details where and how Christianity is growing. 

News

Trump’s Promised Mass Deportations Put Immigrant Churches on Edge

Some of the president-elect’s proposals seem unlikely, but he has threatened to remove millions of both undocumented and legal immigrants.

God Is Faithful in Triumph and Despair

I voted for Kamala Harris and mourn her loss. But I want to keep politics in its proper place, subordinate to Jesus.

Vance’s Chance

How VP-elect JD Vance could build a bridge between populism and Christian conservatism.

How to Pray for Persecuted Christians

Leaders from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa offer guidance on interceding for believers suffering for their faith.

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ Could Be A Classic

The new movie from Dallas Jenkins is at times too on the nose—but also funny, heartfelt, and focused on Jesus.

News

Trump’s Path to Victory Still Runs Through the Church

The former president held on to the white evangelical vote while making gains among Catholics and Hispanic Christians.

What to Do After the Election

Prudence from Ecclesiastes and exhortation from Hebrews for the jubilant and disappointed alike.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube