Burscough vicar Rev Richard Jones wants your tweets during his sermons

Mar 31 2011 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

MOST members of the clergy would be unhappy if their congregation interrupted them while they were speaking.

But Rev Richard Jones, of St John the Baptist Church in Burscough, is positively encouraging it.

He is inviting the congregation to interrupt, text, tweet, and post Facebook questions to him as he delivers his sermons at a new Cafe Church service.

The Cafe Church, which will take place every six to eight weeks, sees Rev Jones respond instantly to comments, allowing the congregation to take the topic where they want it to go and share their own viewpoints.

Rev Jones said: “I'm sure if Jesus was alive to today he would be tweeting and texting. He would be using any means of interaction to engage people in the church.

“The emphasis at Cafe Church is very much on interaction. The topics we discuss are chosen by the congregation. We begin with a few words from me but people are encouraged to interrupt and get involved. I speak with the Bible in one hand and an iPad in the other! People who don’t necessarily want to speak may prefer to tweet, text or post a question on facebook. ”

The next Cafe Church takes place at 6pm on Sunday, April 3, with the theme of ‘Heaven’.