So, you know when people talk about "kids these days" texting all the time. It is really true.
Ever since I started my job at New Church, I've been trying to figure out the best way to let the youth (and leaders) know about upcoming events, or to get feedback about things or whatever. I tried the "group" thing on facebook (there was already a group set up, so I didn't even have to get it going). And I tried the email thing. But not every kid, evidently, checks their email. What? This does not compute . . .
Then one Sunday I was discussing with some parents how I would communicate something with their daughter and her mother said, "Just get her cell phone number and text her. She'll get right back to you."
She wasn't kidding.
I now have most of the cell numbers of the kids who at least usually come to youth group. This afternoon I found out that the church would like us to help out with some "Lenten suppers" they offer on Wednesday nights during Lent, apparently. I sent everybody an email about it. Then I decided to text them and see what happened. So far (and school isn't even out yet as far as I know), I have received 14 text messages in response to mine. There aren't even 14 kids in the group. I think over the course of the last six months, I've only received a total of 3 emails in response to about 10 of those I've sent.
I'm just happy to have been clued into this phenomenon. But I might have to up my texting capabilities on my cell phone plan . . .
9 comments:
It's exactly the same way in Ireland!
Email is SO five minutes ago...
Here are two services that cater to churches and youth groups. They make it easy to text everybody at once:
http://www.simplyyouthministry.com/txt.html
http://churchtextingmanager.com
Also, use Facebook. Facebook is email for students.
My wife and I, both involved in a variety of activities that involve the coordination of younger volunteers, have also found this to be completely true. It's cool, too, since you can do text-blasts and contact a bunch of folks at once.
On the flip-side, alot of boomers are bad about responding to texts...I've had some folks respond to texts by either calling me or sending me emails!
As a high school teacher, the thing that bemuses me about all this, is that I'd be willing to bet the kids aren't even supposed to have cell phones on during school hours, let alone reply to texts.
I just had this really goofy image. It seems like you've had a sense of humor about the whole thing. So I hope I'm not stepping on your toes.
I was thinking about how my microwave has a special button for commonly used items. There's a baked potato button, and a chicken button, and so on.
It got me to wondering... is there maybe a bunch of buttons on your radiation machine? Instead of baked potato, maybe one says "Jenn with 2 n's" and another button bares the name of somebody else who uses that machine.
Maybe as you go, they'll have to take your name off that button and put somebody else up there...
Kids these days. All they want to do is make you poor, 20cents or $15 a month at a time.
Jeff--wrong post? Oh, I get it now.
Mom--I remember it that way in London, too . . .
Mary Anne--You are SO hilarious...
Mark--thanks for that.
Barry--I've probably responded that way myself . . . and I'm not even a boomer. ;)
Jeff--That's what I thought. I figured they'd all get their texts when they got home or something, but . . . evidently not.
Also--the microwave button-pushing thing was funny. ;) I think it IS sort of something like that . . . but I'm fairly certain they get rid of the settings as soon as you're done.
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