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| From what I've seen, you can't get someone 13-30some years old to keep their cell phone in their pocket, no matter where they are (read: church)! Texting delivers the message to the interested parties, and it generally can be seen immediately upon receipt at the push of one button. With all of the noise, distraction, and shortening attention spans, I believe text messaging will soon be a necessity in drawing attention, especially from the youth.
What do you think? Is it good, not-so-good, no-good, too new, or a great idea that's just never been considered?
"Who are you?"
I'm trying to draw an opinion of using text messaging as a medium for scripture and reminders to youth (and parents). I do just so happen to represent a company with an inexpensive solution for using text messaging as a medium, TXT Signal. Every contact I try to make with a youth minister comes up silence.
"Are you just trying to sell something, or do you actually want my opinion?"
Unfortunately, both are true. The software was designed to be applied to many situations, drawing most of its concept to solve vacated shifts in restaurants. However, it came more naturally to me to consider using the software for outreach.
Do I plan to make a great deal of money from selling the service? Absolutely not. It's remarkably cheap so that it's a solution instead of a further problem. The church is even offered a discount so the prices they pay wouldn't keep the company afloat if we didn't go to the restaurants, golf courses, etc. to sell the service. Spreading the word of God is more of a benefit than a business plan.
Also, the idea is to use it for broadcast txt messaging. This means the interested members of the congregation sign up with their cell number and provider info, then you can broadcast a preview of Sunday's service, reminders about meetings and shows, or just a verse.
Please consider the medium itself and think of the impact(s) it could have, especially on the youth. This is not to be considered an advertisement for TXT Signal, but a question of why this medium is not utilized. Again: is it no good, is it too new, is it very good and just wasn't considered before? What do you think? |
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Forum Expert
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| | I agree that text messaging would be a great way to connect with your Youth. I would use it! God Bless, Josh T. in Ohio
 Group's Crocodile Dock VBS 2009  June 15-19, 2009 |
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| | | Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 5/10/2007 11:58:22 AM
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| | I have two youth who are now using text messaging every day to share their scripture study for the day. It is a great tool. Other teens and adults love it and when we receive their scriptures, it is so easy to stop for two minutes read the scripture and say a prayer! Samples of response from other teens: Many times, it seems as if God is talking directly to my hearts! Just the message I needed to hear. I never thought about this before. This has been a great ministry for these two young men!
May God grace us to become more like Christ |
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Forum Newbie
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Last Login: 5/8/2008 6:58:44 PM
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| i use text messaging with great regularity. all of my youth team are in my cell phone and i send out encouragements and reminders to them.
i have about 50 of my youth in groups and i send a text to about 2 groups a week letting them know that i have prayed for them that day and encouraging them to have a great day.
my students constantly send me messages asking for prayer, advice or just to say hello. i think this is a major form of communication with today's youth and i use it with great regularity. i do have one advantage that my cell phone is paid for by the church, so i don't have to worry about extra charges or anything.
as for using a company or "generic" texts, i would probably stay away from that, simply because my kids know that it's me personally typing and texting to them, as opposed to a program or software doing that. i wouldn't want it to become rote or generic to them, that would take away the ministry aspect in my mind.
that's my 2 cents!!
Pastor Mike
Student Ministries Rock!
http://www.extreme-encounter.org |
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Last Login: 5/15/2007 8:41:15 AM
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| | I don't have a cell phone, but I use IMs with my kids all the time. We have some of our best and most open conversations through electronic mediums such as myspace and IMs. As long as they are used appropriately, why not??? In Christ, Hannah Rae
Love in Christ,
Hannah Rae |
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