Let's keep the conversation going here - if the conversation is good enough I may do a blog post. I think there is some great use for technology like the iPhone at church. - Jesse Stay
via twhirl
I work with the youth, and so I don't believe in setting a double standard. If they can't use them to be checking sports scores, texting friends, etc. than I'm not going to either. I have five rules:
1.) It's OK in emergencies
2.) If it is being used to enhance the experience we're all sharing, it's ok. (calling people to get them to activities, finding out if someone is up for a visit, etc). It's not ok to isolate yourself from people present to have conversations with people who aren't present. The people you are with right now are the most important people to you right now.
3.) Following up on assignments is OK. I participate in a lot of meetings, and I do text people to remind them of, and follow up on completion of assignments.
4.) It's _not_ ok in very sacred settings. It takes your mind off the spiritual experience and leaves you spiritually distracted.
5.) If you use your PDA/iPhone to store scriptures/notes/etc. It is ok to use it for that purpose only in appropriate settings.
My $0.02. - jtzemp
Calender items, notes and on occasion accessing the scriptures via the Internet..... but NEVER texting. - LdsNana-AskMormon
i think appropriate use of technology can be beneficial... i'm far more likely to remain engaged when i'm looking up supplementary material or cross-referencing scripture. with a phone/pocket pc/iPhone i can look up that quote that i can almost remember, i can jot down notes so i'll remember later. and i'm far less likely to carry a pad of paper to church with me. - Justin Hileman
Some day (if someone doesn't beat me to it), I'd like to create a social scripture study app for all faiths - you can comment real time on your reading, and share findings with others. - Jesse Stay
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I used to bring the Treo, to have the standard works, hymns, lessons on. Now, I leave all the gadgets at home. You know I'd be Friendfeeding during communion and on Fast Sunday. - Louis Gray
Occasionally, if I have the kids on my own in the parents room I will check email, and do some RSS reading while I am watching the kids. I can't hear the sermon in the parents room unfortunately so I play with the kids and check things on my cell. - LGR
Never. In the past I have used it to save notes or ideas that may pop into my head, but lately I turn the thing off on the way in and back on on the way out. - James Hull
I like jtzemp's comments. I carry 3 phone/PDA-type devices with me (yes, I know it sounds silly, but there's a reason for each device). I use my personal PDA (not a phone) for notes, scriptures, lesson manuals, hymns, and my calendar. I use my Treo (my work PDA-phone which is Internet-enabled but not calling-enabled) to look up talks on lds.org during meetings when appropriate e.g. if a particular talk is the main focus of a lesson, and also for typing notes during General/Stake Conference... - the JoshMeister
...And finally, I use my personal cell phone only before/after church, or to add a church member's phone number. - the JoshMeister
This will probably blur the definition of "in church," but I'm on the AV team, so we send texts from the sound board to the video room all the time. We just turn our ringers off. At the same time, we occasionally remind people that they could be on camera at any time, so they shouldn't text or talk on cellphones during service. Last week, the Assistant Pastor's phone rang during communion service. It was hilarious. - ha3rvey (That One)
Harvey, I hear those AV teams can get pretty religious anyway ;-) - Jesse Stay
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Louis, you mean FriendFeed isn't religious??? - Jesse Stay
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Jesse, I think a social scripture study app sounds very interesting. Be sure to let us know if you get around to making one. =) By the way, I re-tweeted/plurked/etc. this conversation. - the JoshMeister
Thanks Josh - btw, you need an iPhone ;) - Jesse Stay
via twhirl
I don't see what people have against txt. I often txt bible quotes and prayer requests to my friends. We also use it for group announcements in the groups within the church as well as invites to weekend events - Andy Wilkin
Personally I make sure to turn my mobile phone off during services. I prefer to focus on the worship and the message. I sit quite close to the front of our church and am always fascinated to see some members of the pastoral team busily taking notes on their blackberries/iPhones etc - I have often wondered just what it is they're writing - whether it's notes on the message they're hearing or whether they're checking their gmail I just don't know! - Matt Hooper
I'll typically process email (mostly deleting and saving replies for later), text a few people, and check twitter once or twice. I try not to check email too much during Sunday School, 'cus I'm the teacher. :-) - Walter Reade
