SEATTLE -
Can't get to church on Sunday? What about having the sermon beamed right to your I-phone? Church leaders at the Seattle-based Mars Hill Church believe they're the first church in the world to put the word of god in an I-phone app.
Just a few touches on the screen and users can see sermons, listen to music and keep up on church information. The app. was released a week ago and they're close to 10,000 downloads.
But church leaders say the I-phone can't replace Sunday morning attendance. They see it more as a supplement or a new way to introduce the church to those who might be intimidated to walk through the doors
Nick Bogardus, Director of Public Relations for the church, says "we believe that all of life is worship, so you can do that in your car, on a walk or while you're listening to your I-phone or I-pod."
Bogardus acknowledges some might find using the I-phone a little non-traditional but says it's more of a sign of the times. Bogardus says God has been using technology for centuries "For the Reformers, it was the printing press; for Billy Graham it was sound amplification systems and stadiums."
Church members say they're excited about using the latest technology to share the message. Adam Christiansen works with the church "community groups" he believes it's important for the church to stay current. "You need to stay consistent with the gospel and also try and reach culture" Christansen said.
Accountant Scott Thompson attends church at Mars Hill and has been able to share photos from the App with friends. "The I-phone being so recent and the apps coming along and it's just exploding - it's cool to have mars hill content on that" Thompson says.
The app is free on I-Tunes. So far, church leaders say it's been downloaded by people in 26 countries.
Just a few touches on the screen and users can see sermons, listen to music and keep up on church information. The app. was released a week ago and they're close to 10,000 downloads.
But church leaders say the I-phone can't replace Sunday morning attendance. They see it more as a supplement or a new way to introduce the church to those who might be intimidated to walk through the doors
Nick Bogardus, Director of Public Relations for the church, says "we believe that all of life is worship, so you can do that in your car, on a walk or while you're listening to your I-phone or I-pod."
Bogardus acknowledges some might find using the I-phone a little non-traditional but says it's more of a sign of the times. Bogardus says God has been using technology for centuries "For the Reformers, it was the printing press; for Billy Graham it was sound amplification systems and stadiums."
Church members say they're excited about using the latest technology to share the message. Adam Christiansen works with the church "community groups" he believes it's important for the church to stay current. "You need to stay consistent with the gospel and also try and reach culture" Christansen said.
Accountant Scott Thompson attends church at Mars Hill and has been able to share photos from the App with friends. "The I-phone being so recent and the apps coming along and it's just exploding - it's cool to have mars hill content on that" Thompson says.
The app is free on I-Tunes. So far, church leaders say it's been downloaded by people in 26 countries.
