Church promotes social media during sermon
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MATTHEWS, N.C. – Leaders of a Charlotte-area church told members to bring their phones and data devices to Easter Sunday service and post to Twitter throughout the sermon.
Next Level Church’s pastor said the church has a responsibility to take advantage of every technological advance.
The congregation was urged to post minute-by-minute updates to their Twitter accounts to allow members across the room to broadcast in real time how the message was touching them.
“People who didn’t get to make the service get the opportunity to see what notes I’m taking and what’s going on here in the service,” church member Robbie McLaughlin said.
The idea came from Lead Pastor Todd Hahn, who said social networking sties like Twitter are evidence of “a real desire in our community and our city for human connection.”
“We want to leverage everything that happens technologically in our culture to help people to God and to teach each other,” Hahn said.
Members said they don’t view “tweeting” about their experiences during service a distraction. Even if they get an e-mail or text message unrelated to the sermon, they said their focus is on a higher power.
“You should be free to worship in whatever way you feel is appropriate and right,” church member Carol Grubbs said.
Next Level Church said it has created controversy with its innovative outreach efforts in the past, including distributing shot glasses with the church logo at area bars. But leaders said the congregation has grown consistently to what is currently nearly 1,000 members.