Questing Parson

Technological Gosepl

 The parson had been walking about the church, mumbling to himself, as he turned the thermostat down, flipped light switches off, washing coffee mugs, if he were the only person in the church who appreciated the cost of things. As he headed back toward the sanctuary he found three teens sitting on the front pew.

“What are you guys doing here so long after the service,” he asked.

“We’re waiting on my Mom,” said one, “to get back from the store.”

“You weren’t sitting in here discussing my sermon?” the parson asked..

“Oh, we’re going to,” said a college freshman, “but we knew we wouldn’t have time before Ms. Jackson got back. It’s was a really thought-provoking sermon.” She smiled at the parson.

“Well, let me know what your conclusions are,” the parson said.

They talked a bit about some projects the youth were involved in. The parson expressed his appreciation for the terrific drama they’d produced prior to Christmas.

“So did you get what you wanted for Christmas?” he asked.

“No, I didn’t,” said Ellen, “and you already know that.”

The parson smiled. He and Ellen had discussed what she was expecting a couple weeks earlier. 

“Well, I was hoping for you,” said the parson.

“You’d think they would get me the iPhone,” said Ellen, “I would certainly be able able to use it. This phone I’ve got is just, well, it’s just a phone.”

“I did put in a good word for you,” the parson offered.

“Well, they decided to get a phone, but they’re getting one for Mom. Can you imagine Mom with an iPhone? She could use this phone,” she suggested while holding her phone aloft, ”and I could use the iPhone.”

“You know,” the parson said, “the iPhone has a GPS capability. Your folks would be able to know where you are.”

Ellen smiled at the parson. “Parson, the key word is ‘capability.’ My mom would have no idea how to use the phone to track me. Gracious, Parson, she’s a teacher and she doesn’t know how to check my grades online. Technology is no use if you don’t know how to use it, Parson.”

The parson smiled, “Maybe you should be a little easy on her.”

“Maybe I should, Parson. But technology is something that has to be used. You know that. Did you know this church is the only one around here that uses text messaging to keep in contact with kids?”

“I didn’t know that,” the parson said, thinking of how many times a week the church texted the youth with some thought or announcement. “Does it make a difference?”

Ellen sucked in some breath and then exhaled. “A really big difference, Parson. A really big difference. It’s just stupid to not use what’s available. My Mom ought to learn how to use technology. I think if she could I’d get that iPhone. But since she doesn’t know how to use it herself she doesn’t see the benefits.. It’s the same with the church. I’ve got to go, Parson. Text me if you need me.”

The parson her and her friends go. He then walked outside and looked on his iPhone to see what was next on the schedule. 

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Do I Have Your Attention?

The parson was pleased, while he preached, with the congregation sitting before him. The little church was doing as best as could be expected.

As his oratorical effort began to cross the bridge, carefully constructed, from the introduction to point one, the parson could not help but feel a bit of pride that approximately one-third the congregation this morning appeared to be below the age of twenty.

Entering the recitation that would wind its way through the various characteristics of point one, the parson was tremendously aware that keeping the attention of the rising generation that was so technically savvy and bright was the greatest challenge of his ministry. 

As the first point was brought to conclusion and the parson was telling the humorous story that would provide the stepping stone to the second point, he gave a barely perceptible nod to a layperson standing in the rear of the sanctuary. The parson continued the story and followed it to his conclusion. In an almost simultaneous movement about eighty percent of the under-twenty sitting, mostly together near the front, shifted in their seats. 

In a smooth flow of motion each pulled the cell phone from pocket or holster and read the displayed text message: “If you think my sermon is going okay so far, please give me a nod or text me 'Amen". I love you. The Parson.”