Church Connecting With Congregation with Text Messages & New Mobile Communication Plan
Greater Allen Cathedral of New York Embraces Text to Strengthen Ties with Church Family & Community
Most ministers request the congregation turn off cell phones and mobile devices during church services; but the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York is calling on members to pull out their wireless devices and sign up for interactive mobile communications supported by MESSAGEbuzz.
Reverend Margaret Elaine Flake called on congregants to take out their mobile devices and cell phones during a recent worship service and she led worshipers in the simple steps to get involved in the Allen Cathedral’s new text and SMS campaign. The short Sunday demonstration was a huge success and about a thousand members of the large A.M.E. church are now receiving text messages about special worship services, concerts, conferences and speakers.
“Our congregants see our text messaging program as an opportunity to make a real connection with our pastors and church family,” explains Rodeena Stephens, Communications Director for Greater Allen Cathedral. “There are so many activities and opportunities for our members this time of year the text messages can keep them updated,” Stephens added.
Greater Allen Cathedral is listed as one of the nation’s largest worship centers with a congregation of over 20,000 members. Communicating with so many people is a challenge made easy with instant text messages. The church has already used text to send out emergency notices about changes due to inclement weather.
“It is easy to send text messages and respond quickly to changing church situations,” said Stephens. “With one recent message we needed to get out right away; I was away from the church but am able to log on from any computer. It gives me a lot of flexibility,” she added.
Stephens recommends other churches and community organizations consider a text and SMS campaign to strengthen connections and create instant interactive communications with large groups; “We’ve seen some event attendance boosted and supported by text. Recently we reminded the congregation the church office would be closed due to a holiday weekend.”
Text acceptance crosses all age groups at Greater Allen Cathedral. The age 18 to 35 year old group represents the largest area of growth for the congregation and represents a text ready audience for the church’s mobile communications. However, Stephens says the most senior members of the church family are embracing the new text option; “Some of our older members are really staying up to date with technology and love getting the text messages.”
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