Texting in Church

I took a seat in my usual spot, on the right side of the chancel, just behind the pulpit. The accompanist was playing the prelude that starts the worship service. I looked across the chancel, to where the choir sits, and two things caught my attention.

The first was that the youngest choir member, a teenage boy, was sending a text message. He just got a new phone with texting capability, something he didn't have before, and, from what the choir director has told me, he has been texting everyone nonstop ever since.

The second thing I noticed was that a door behind the choir was left open. There are four doors that lead off the chancel area--two on each side--and it seems that every Sunday, at least one is left open.This is something that annoys me somewhat, as I feel it is distracting.

The solution to this problem was obvious, don't you think? I pulled out my cell phone and sent the teenager a text: "Close the door behind you, please." I hit send, and waited. About fifteen seconds later, he looks across at me, as if to say, "Did you really send me this text message?" I just smiled at him. He got up, closed the door, and sat back down. And the worship began.