It’s Sunday morning and Church is about to begin. The teenagers funnel their way into the Sunday school classroom and snag a seat (anywhere but the front). The young Youth Pastor greets everyone as they sit down. Once everyone is settled he says,
Okay, everyone pull out your Bibles!
From his back pocket he pulls out his iPhone and begins to read the mornings primary scripture.
Wait, what? Using an iPhone instead of the Bible? Are you crazy?!
The Youth Pastor in this example is, in fact, me. And to answer the question, yes, I use my iPhone for a Bible when I teach sometimes. And no, I’m not crazy. At least I don’t think so. I’ll let you decide.
This is the first part of a post I just recently did over at ChurchMag. In it, I discuss the issue of allowing students to use their cell phones (or iPod touches) instead of a physical Bible. It’s created some great discussion so far, and if you’d like to read the rest of the post, go ahead and click here!
What is your opinion of the use of smart phones during church? Should it be frowned upon or encouraged? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
With more pastors using the iPad, Playbook and other electronic devices in place of their traditional sermon notes I don’t see that using an iPhone in church with the bible is too much of a stretch if it helps connect with the kids on their level. Would I want to see my adult pastor do it or even the youth pastor make it a regular thing? Personally I can’t say yes, because I think there is just something about having a physical bible with you at church that says I am doing something different than I do any other day of the week. It kind of goes along with wearing a dress shirt instead of a tshirt for me. Also remember that you can’t highlight, underline and make notes in your iPhone bible. YET.
As for middle schoolers themselves using their phones as a bible, that I don’t think is a good idea simply because most of them spend most of the time texting eachother and others and not paying attention anyways (Those playing with their phones). Personally I would love to see a cell phone check in at the door of most churches but I understand that’s logistically imposible and just me going to extremes trying to battle the culture that society has created.
In the end, as for what others think about someones use of an electronic device as a bible, like anything else in church I think it comes down to each person needs to check their own heart and motives. I know that when I take out my BlackBerry during worship some people think I am texting, when in fact I am sending myself a message to remember the song we just sang because I want to download it, or perhaps I am texting a friend who I am waiting for who has not arrived and I am hoping they are going to make it before the doors are closed. Or when the collection tray is passed I have heard others comment about how that person always passes it empty. How do they know if that person doesn’t use the online system? In your case, using the iPhone is a way to connect with a generation that is all about Social Media, texting and connectivity and if you can find a way into their world then more power to ya.
Among the many bibles I have aquired since I found my faith…I have YouVersion on my BlackBerry so I have the bible in my pocket at all times. I also have a pocket bible in my car and a study bible that comes to church with me and because you can never have enough bibles on the bookshelf I just bought a new NASCAR bible because that connects with my culture…lol.
It’s been too long since my last post! I think technology is great and all. But, I don’t see myself using it in church! I need my Bible in front of me. I don’t even like to use the scriptures on the screen at the front. I went to one church, and they had the wrong text for the scripture posted for everyone. How many people noticed the error other than me? Not many!
I actually enjoy it when the Pastor leaves the verses off the screen to encourage people to follow along in their bibles. Technology is great but I think we lose some of our commitment to personal growth and responsibilty when it’s all handed to us so easily.
I agree with you David! Along with the verses on the screen, I have a hard time with sermon notes. Ultimately, it falls on the individual to realize they’re responsible for their growth in the Lord.
So Sunday I experienced something that added a wrinkle to the use of technology in church debate. Halfway down our row a gentelman was using his iPad for his bible but everytime he moved, it would reflect our overhead lights into my eyes. So, aside from the blinding I got throughout the service it was rather distracting. Now mind you I never had a problem with people using them before, but now, you can bet I will be looking for them before I sit down…lol. Unfortuneately in this case, we were the first in the row and he sat down after worship started. Maybe I need to bring glare guards with me to hand out.
Very interesting. I’ve been blinded many times by watches, or iced out crosses (bling bling!), but never an iPad. Lol
There is someone who sits in the section to the right of us who has a watch that reflects on the ceiling that catches my eye every couple of weeks but yeah, this one was right in the eye and since it has a larger surface was a much larger area to reflect…LOL. Time to wear my shades to church I guess…LOL.
See…technology is only as good as those who use it. It was my “smartphone” that let me goof my URL…LOL. Now with this post it’s fixed. At least until the next time the cookies are cleared…LOL.
So…After sitting through 5 amazing days of Revival 2011 at Shepherd where our church used Twitter to filter a hashtag and post tweets to the screens before the worship and speakers started I got to see an interesting phenomenon. Teens who actually had more respect for the use of the technology than some of the adults. I was a bit worried going into the last day (the middle school and high school invite day) because I was sure that their would be some pretty colorful posts going up on the screen but to my surprise it was the adults throughout the 5 day event that were posting some of the strangest things. No one thankfully posted anything off color but I guess I am just a bit of a stuffed shirt when it comes to this stuff in church…lol. I will admit to posting 1 post that was visible for all of 3 seconds that read something to the effect of “Clap for the Stout party of THREE in the house”. Otherwise my posts were quotes from the speakers, checkins to the event, promos of the event and of course a lot of calls for appreciation to the sponsors and volunteers for their hard work. Score one for the Teens!
Yes! Haha!