[FROM THE BARNA GROUP] - USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL?

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&am...
Read the entire article from Barna at this web address.

"Several spiritual elements were classified as emerging among the youngest three generations: listening to church podcasts and visiting their church website (measured for past year, not the past week). For their part, Elders have yet to move beyond limited digital access to spiritual content."

My question: Are you using the technology boom to share God's Word with people today? If so, how and what?

My feeling is "if they won't come to church, then we must find ways to "go" to them where they are... online." Thoughts? [Children as young as elementary school are texting with cell phones, and some even have PDA's. The church must keep up or lose them!]

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

Just curious, is ANYONE using email, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc to proclaim the gospel or to connect with the youth in our congregations?

[bruce metcalf]

do you know of a youth age appropriate devotion I could send my sundayschoolers ??? This might be a way to stay connected over the summer !!
bruce metcalf

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

I don't know of one... but maybe someone will answer??? I hope so!!!



do you know of a youth age appropriate devotion I could send my sundayschoolers ???

[bruce metcalf]

http://blogs.elca.org/faithlens
gave this web site to several of our confirmation kids along with their parents today after service and asked them to check it out and give me their opinion!! should know before the end of the week what they think !!! will let you know a.s.a.p !!
bruce

[Beth Lewis]

I have seen a few examples of congregations and individual pastors using Twitter, Facebook, etc. Check out:
Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN http://www.zionbuffalo.org
Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN http://www.bethlehem-church.org/
Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver, CO http://www.bethany-denver2.org/
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Buena Park, CA http://www.goodshepherdlcbp.org/
St. Mark Lutheran Church, West Des Moines, IA http://www.stmarkwdm.org/

I'm sure there are many more, but this is a start!

Blessings, Beth

The Rev Patsy Koeneke said:

Just curious, is ANYONE using email, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc to proclaim the gospel or to connect with the youth in our congregations?

[Kassandra Heinrich]

Looking around on the Ning site I found that Calvary Lutheran in Two Rivers used this site to hold an online confirmation class.

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

Wow! That's really advanced! Thanks for sharing this!

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

While "on-line" is not my first choice for connecting with anyone and especially teens, I can't help but notice that a good majority of teens are connected "moment-by-moment" with their friends via cell phones/texting. In fact, we have to ban cell phones for youth activities. So, I'm thinking that we need to go "where they are..." What this might or should encompass is the big question? I just don't see the online explosion going away any time soon...

[Rachel Spry Lammi]

Dear Patsy,

Interesting topic.

I tried to read the full article, but the link provided isn't there. Could you please check and update this link?

Thanks!

Rachel :-)

[The Rev Patsy Koeneke]

Here is the link: http://www.sacbee.com/ourregion/story/2041959.html

Fair Oaks teen devises prayer app for iPhone



I tried to read the full article, but the link provided isn't there. Could you please check and update this link?

Thanks!

Rachel :-)