First New iPhone 3Gs review!

17th June
2009
written by Ken Leslie

newiphone
OK, so I didn’t really get a new iPhone 3Gs (Watch the hits on this blog skyrocket!) but I was thinking about how we have become so technology dependent that I am about to turn in my Smartphone for a much simpler one…

Do you think technology has helped ministry or hurt it? I mean really, think about it. Now I text, facebook, myspace, or email well before I’d ever pick up a phone to actually TALK to a student. I have things like Twitter, Text messages, and facebook events to get students attention to come to events, but yet seem to have less results that when I used to announce stuff and personally invite students. Maybe I am getting old…

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2 Comments

  1. chrish
    17/06/2009

    I think its soooo important to do both. Here is why:

    1. Technology- We have to go where they are. Speak the language that they speak. If that is text, instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter, or what ever the means to reach them. We have to be willing to go where they are.

    2. Phone calls/Face to Face- I think these can be even more personal. Which can be a good thing, or push a student away. It’s really important to know how your student(s) like you to communicate with them. Ask them!

    3. If I can offer a third- Snail Mail- I don’t care who you are when you get mail(that’s not a bill) it shows someone took time for you! We all love that. A small note, or card, can do wonders in a relationship.

    Personally- Facebook is huge, Email is out dated, Text works, written word is awesome, and face to face is at the top. As for Twitter, I tried, and my students are just not into it.

  2. Andy Barlow
    18/06/2009

    I’m with Chris on this. I think we as Student Pastors have to use the avenues that are available to get the information out, but the information should not ever trump the necessity for personal, relational ministry.

    A phone call or personal interaction/invitation offers something a text, Tweet, or Facebook event invite cannot offer…a real person on the other end of the conversation.

    If you remove the personal element from ministry, it ceases to be ministry and it will not have lasting impact.

    I use technology when I can…a lot even…but here’s where I differ on technology. If I have a student(s) that can send out Facebook invites, I’ll let them do that and I’ll make the personal contacts. The information is still distributed, but my time has been better invested in a relationship with a student, not a website or messaging device.

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