Just textin' the bishop, yo--keeping with the times or is something off in etiquette?

[Backroads]

Brother-in-law was in town, so he and husband and I went out to lunch. Part way through the meal, BiL (who is in the middle of his missionary paperwork) pulls out his phone to respond to his bishop's text. Turns out this is how they've been communicating when not at church. I didn't think anything of it, but Husband thought it was odd.

In my mind, texting is what we all do know and is a handy way to communicate. I imagine in the case of big sins, frequent texting might be a great tool.

Or... is texting just breaking through the bishop/ward member barrier in a too-much-contact sort of way?

[Guest]

Brother-in-law was in town, so he and husband and I went out to lunch. Part way through the meal, BiL (who is in the middle of his missionary paperwork) pulls out his phone to respond to his bishop's text. Turns out this is how they've been communicating when not at church. I didn't think anything of it, but Husband thought it was odd.

In my mind, texting is what we all do know and is a handy way to communicate. I imagine in the case of big sins, frequent texting might be a great tool.

Or... is texting just breaking through the bishop/ward member barrier in a too-much-contact sort of way?

I don't see the problem.

I just texted my kid's birthday invitations...

#1.) I saved some trees.

#2.) I saved some stamp money.

#3.) Most everybody RSVP'd within minutes of sending the text. Most everybody. I've never had that happen before. Usually, I get one or two RSVPs out of 25 invites sent.

The great thing about texting as opposed to phone calls is you can check and answer texts at the time of your own choosing.

And lastly, too much contact, to me, is better than too few.

But then, texts should not replace personal relationships. Yes, I text my mom. And yeah, my mom posts stuff on facebook. But, I still go pick up the phone to talk to my mom who is currently half-way around the world from me.

[Dravin]

Or... is texting just breaking through the bishop/ward member barrier in a too-much-contact sort of way?

What barrier? You're going to need to elaborate on this barrier that is supposed to exist between Bishop and ward members.

Edited September 19, 2012 by Dravin

[Backroads]

What barrier? You're going to need to elaborate on this barrier that is supposed to exist between Bishop and ward members.

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

If the Bishop doesn't mind, then I don't see a problem with it at all.

I email my Bishop. He encourages me to do so.

Some people don't like email or text, so I think it is a case by case thing.

[Backroads]

I was in a singles ward where the bishop encouraged everyone to Facebook friend him.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

I understand your point, that is why we call them "Bishop" instead of their first name, or just "Brother". But I don't see texting as respectful or disrespectful...it is simply convienent.

[Backroads]

I understand your point, that is why we call them "Bishop" instead of their first name, or just "Brother". But I don't see texting as respectful or disrespectful...it is simply convienent.

Twas my thought on the situation. Seemed like a handy way to keep in contact.

[Vort]

I hate texting. Hate it. H-A-T-E. It is vile.

But I see nothing immoral about texting the bishop, or anyone else.

[AnthonyB]

Vort,

Dn't u mean u h8 txting.

thx

[Guest]

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

I don't agree that it is not respectful. Text messages is neither respectful nor disrespectful. What you write in that text is what makes it respectful or disrespectful.

When my uncle, who is a lawyer and currently the mayor of our hometown, sends us text messages, it is written just like he would write communiques on his letterhead so we know it is an "official" communique. So, when we send replies to him as a lawyer/mayor, we write it in "official" communique-speak and refer to him as Mayor or Atty. No l8r or 2nite or any of that...

[Dravin]

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

Why isn't it a respectful way to communicate?

[mnn727]

In my mind, texting is what we all do know and is a handy way to communicate.

Never texted in my life, probably never will.

Or... is texting just breaking through the bishop/ward member barrier in a too-much-contact sort of way?

Bishops spend too many hours on the calling to begin with -- let alone being at the access of anyone with a smart phone 24/7.

My Bishop does not text either. Having been his Exec Sec in the past, the guy already puts in a minimum of 30 hours a week on his calling, this is besides his full time job -- leave the poor guys alone.

Edited September 19, 2012 by mnn727

[estradling75]

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

Wouldn't it be even more disrespectful not to respond to the bishop's text message?

[Guest]

My Bishop does not text either. Having been his Exec Sec in the past, the guy already puts in a minimum of 30 hours a week on his calling, this is besides his full time job -- leave the poor guys alone.

I don't see why text messages, when properly used as a communication tool, would cause a bishop to spend more time at his calling instead of take away time spent on a calling.

I remember during the RNC, a Mormon bishop talked about when one of the politically prominent Mormon was bishop and he was his counselor that the bishop would call him at 6 in the morning relaying church matters. If text messaging was present at that time, instead of calilng on the phone and waking up his counselor, he can instead send his message via text and his counselor can reply when he wakes up.

[classylady]

Our Bishop texts. I think he finds it much more convenient than a phone call.

[Backroads]

Why isn't it a respectful way to communicate?

I'm not sure. Again, I have nothing against it. Husband never quite explained what exactly made it disrespectful.

[Misshalfway]

I don't see a problem with it as long as you realize that the communication might not be as protected as a conversation in his office.

[NightSG]

I don't see why text messages, when properly used as a communication tool, would cause a bishop to spend more time at his calling instead of take away time spent on a calling.

This; if anything, texting is more respectful of a busy person's time than a phone call. With a quick glance, the recipient knows if a text message is "pick up some milk" or "my mother is in the hospital" and can decide appropriately whether to get to it later, or interrupt whatever is happening and handle it right now. No need to fully interrupt whatever's going on to answer the phone, get past the pleasantries, get to the point, then excuse oneself if the message turns out to be less than critical, nor is there the problem of letting it go to voicemail so as not to interrupt, and finding out an hour later that someone had an urgent need.

It also encourages folks to be brief; what might be a five minute conversation is often handled in two or three sentences.

[aruth5000]

Me and my husband text our bishop to make appointments and such with him I don't see anything wrong with that... Our bishop is more likely to get back to us with a text rather than a phone call :)

[applepansy]

A respect barrier. The bishop is the venerable leader of the ward and texting isn't exactly a respectful way to communicate.

Texting isn't a respectful way to communicate? I would think that would depend on the content of the text and not the actually form of communication.

Read through everything.

Response .... our whole ward TEXTS! If you want to know about a Primary or RS or YW/YM, etc activity its all done by text. Our Bishop also uses email a lot. So does our Stake President.

Edited September 20, 2012 by applepansy

[pam]

I like texting because so often I don't want to talk on the phone.

However, if someone was inviting me to something, I would prefer at least a phone call. It would make me think that someone wanted me there enough to call me instead of text me.

[Sharky]

That line of respect is something that every individual & every relationship kind of sets, Bishop or not, it's something that each indivdual kind of sets within their comfort levels.

I text with some ward members & rarely or never do with others. I text with one of my Home Teachers all the time & never do with the othern. Some non-member friends & I text frequently, others it's not "acceptable" for whatever reason.

So every relationship, every person, is a little different.

Texting with the Bishop? I don't see that as being something disrespectful or crossing the line as long as both parties are okay and comfortable with it.

Honestly. I ignore texts from certain people, if it's that important they will call. I don't feel comfortable with texting with certain people. It's kind of a personal thing.

[Ratisch]

I guess it depends on what the individual Bishop thinks about it. I can't see why most would mind texting as long as it is not abused.

[Just_A_Guy]

Personally, I think it would be hideous. IMHO bishops should only be contacted after-hours in an emergency. My experience as an attorney is that the gravity of a client "emergency" is directly proportional to the ease with which the attorney may be contacted, and I imagine it would be similar for a bishop.

Text for communicating with other bishopric members and the ward council? Sure. For the ward membership at large? Heck no.