If it's impacting enough to tweet, you will remember it after the service - so wait. Also, other's don't know if you're tweeting or texting - why distract them?

Jacob, let me ask the same question a little differently. Is it o.k. for someone to tweet while you are leading praise and worship? There is a reason why many churches have signs and admonishments on their power point displays to turn OFF all cell phones during the service or put the phones on vibrate. No tweeting, no texting, no ringtones in church.

Our pastor actually encourages us to twitter during church. I think it can be a good thing. It creates excitement in your church and your body of believers and it tells people that you are excited about what it going on and being said and how God is moving. It also tells them that there is something to show up for, or tune into if you have a livefeed. Our pastor acutally tweets out during worship to log onto our livefeed and it gets response. And let's be honest, if they are on twitter on a Sunday morning they are most likely not at a worship service, but at home surfing the internet or just out chilling somewhere. Why not send out messages of love and hope about Jesus for all to see? It also serves as a way to put some great and inspired words out to even more masses of people. Many people have @ replied or DMed me via twitter to say, "what your pastor said really hit home with me, so I checked out his blog or listened to his podcast," or "I am now following your church or your pastor to hear more," or just a simple thank you because what I RTed or quoted him as saying encouraged them. And if I were a speaker I wouldn't find it rude, but flattering to see someone twittering what I say. I would be glad that someone would want to share with everyone on their follow list my thoughts. Twitter is the new FREE mass communication that everyone is into and the church NEEDS to take hold of it and use the resource!! Even if it is just one guy behind the tech booth punching out the big statements and points of the day!

@ Stephanie- All of these things are great, but during church? Maybe I'm too old school (i'm only 35) but I think tweeting should be done before or after the service. Maybe it's because I'm not that good at multi-tasking, but when I'm in a church service, I feel that God deserves my full attention, and tweeting would distract from that.

Larry, I do agree with you on a few things. I do feel that everyone should first and foremost give God their full attention, definitely. But being in a worship service and preaching is also about learning and applying what you are being taught and what you experience. Some people recall that information by physically writing down the words or thoughts provided in a bulletin or program. Some people actually type it right into their BlackBarry or Itouch or other electronic device. For me, it is better to actually type it into an electroic device because it is faster, I can read it, and it is always with me. I can't always say that for writing it down physically on paper. So, while I have my device out I don't see the harm in actually tweeting out a message that others might benefit from hearing at that moment., especially if it hits home with me. If it is the distraction you are worried about I actually would think that typing into my device keeps me from searching for a pen in my HUGE purse, rusting my paper, etc. so I find it less distracting for myself and others around me as well. The goal is obviously for everyone to have the best God experience that they can. Other people just arrive at that place differently and we all should just be our own personal judge of what is the best for our growth and development spiritually.

Stephanie, How do the kids and teenagers in the congregation know if you are tweeting notes about the service, or texting your friends about lunch plans?

Well, all our kids go to their own service, since I am the CM I am pretty sure that not many kids are in the main worship, if any. But, point being, the main service is not for them. But if they are there and want to ask me if I am paying attention I would be glad to tell them exactly my thoughts on the points being made and the ones that hit home for me. I am always open for discussion. If it is example you are worried about, my body language is also obviously showing that I am paying attention and tuning in. There are many ways to be distracted during a church service and my kids aren't going to see me tuning out, sleeping, doodling on a paper, etc. Anything you do during church can be misinterpreted. I am only doing what is best for me to recall the information at any time during the week when I need it. The point is that we should be concerned with ourselves and how to best enrich our own experience. I don't think it's the church's job to make a blanket " No Tweeting" statement. If it is something that would enrich your lives and the lives of others then again I ask why not?

Yes I Tweet during the service. My daughter starts laughing when she discovers that it at church where I did my tweet. I will tweet people that are not at church.

Instead of tweeting during the service, perhaps folks could take notes and tweet when they get home or after the service. It is very distracting to those around you when you are texting/tweeting/brushing your hair/polishing fingernails/check your email/etc. We gather in worship (whether it is as a whole congregation, in children's church, or teen worship service) to worship God and hear from Him. If we go for any other reason, we might as well stay home! Last I checked, God didn't twitter.

No tweeting during church. Not only is it rude and distrtacting but your attention is shifted away from the service and message. As for the pastor slipping out to tweet that blows my mind. There is plenty of time to tweet before or after the service.

Well, this has turned out to be a very interesting question indeed. I am a youth minister here at my home church. I do ask my teens to please put their phones on silent while in the sanctuary because 9 times out of 10 tweeting and texting can be a huge distraction. Not only is it distracting for the people around you, it can also distract the Pastor. I have experienced this first hand myself. I have read in many of these posts about church being what I can get out of the service. Maybe we should think about what we can give to the service. Coming to church is not just about what YOU can gain from it. It is also a lot about what you can give to it. Writing down or typing notes on a sermon is one thing, but tweeting seems to me to be an extra activity that could be done after the sermon. That's just my opinion.

I believe that church is not the time or place for cellphones or any other electronic device. I am amazed at what people think is ok to do during church. You go to learn about God and grow in your faith. Honestly, the fact that people- especially the pastor of the church are saying it is ok to tweet during a church service is making a mockery of the church and of God. I understand that there are emergencies that require immediate attention, but that is a whole other story. Pull out a pen and a piece of paper and take notes during the sermon, it doesn't hurt anyone to do a little old fashioned writing. It would probably help you to retain more of the service if you take notes on paper during church then go home and make a post about the service and give your personal thoughts. Just an idea.

Wow, this is my first time on this site and I have to say that I'm supprised by some of the responses here. To all who are ok with this I have to ask: is it ok for your kids to tweet or play around with elec. devices while you are telling them something important? I feel that the word coming through my pastor is coming from the Lord, and if God thought it was important enough to be heard I think it deserves my undivided attention. Tweeting about GOD is wonderful, but there is a time and place for everything, and when He speaks it's time to pay attention. I know that God is our friend, but let's not forget everything else He is. Let's teach our children how to honor and respect us by showing honor and respect to our Father.