If you’re like me, you may feel that constant updates to technology has left you way behind the curve. I see my grandchildren access the internet on their iPhones and iPads and watch in wonder as they smoothly use the gift of technology.
All throughout the history of the church, technology of one kind or another has shaped the culture and poked at the church. Many times, the church has risen to take advantage of technology to increase the effectiveness of proclaiming the truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This time and place should not be an exception.
Pastors must recognize that among the many duties they must attend to, developing mature followers of Jesus requires leadership that will help build a solid foundation of spiritual formation among the members of their congregations. Since prayer is such an important component of that spiritual formation, perhaps technology can help in some way.
Let me suggest that you make provision for your people to send you their prayer requests at any time of the day or night. Here are some strategies that will help you do this:
- Publish a special e-mail address in the weekly church bulletin and monthly church newsletter reserved just for prayer requests. If your internet service provider (ISP) permits you to do so, have each e-mail prayer request received at that special address automatically forwarded to yourself, as pastor, and also to key prayer warriors. These prayer warriors must be people who will maintain the confidentiality of the requests, but who can pray fervently and earnestly for the expressed needs.
- Have your church webmaster add a special “Prayer Request” button on your website to allow people to send a prayer request directly to the church office from your website. You can use a special website form that the person wishing to send a prayer request can fill out. Or, you can have the button launch the person’s e-mail client with the “Subject” line partially filled in with the words: “Prayer Request.”
- When praying in your worship service for the needs of your people, mention the fact that a number of the requests came to your attention through e-mail or through the church website. This will help encourage people to take advantage of this new tool.
These simple steps will likely enhance the prayer ministry of your church. And, it will encourage your people to realize that you care for them and want to pray for their needs.
In the future, whenever a new technology bursts on the scene, ask yourself, “How can this new technology enhance our service to Christ and His Kingdom.”
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Sunday’s coming. Do you have your sermon ready? Is it relevant? Will it effectively motivate your congregation to walk more in step with the Master? What about that Sermon Series you’ve been thinking about?
Or, if you’re someone who plans well ahead, have you asked yourself what you will preach for your Easter Sermon, your Advent Sermon, your Christmas Sermon?
David Mains and Mainstay Ministries can help. We offer a wide variety of Sermon Starters and Full Sermons that will give you Sermon Ideas to help you prepare for regular Saturday or Sunday sermons, Mid-week Bible Sermons, and Sermons for special occasions.
We also offer assistance as you create Topical Sermons, Sermons Series, and sermons for special times of the year. We have resources available to help you with Advent Celebrations, Advent Sermons, Christmas Sermons, Easter Sunday Sermons, Patriotic Sermons, and more.
For more information on how to create better Bible Sermons and how to turn Sermon Ideas into Sermon Outlines, and then into effective, meaningful Sunday Sermons, please click here to visit David Mains’ website.
You will also find a variety of resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries website. Just click here.
