Faith And Culture: Help! They're trying to make me redundant!

“It’s not clear to me that the development of spirituality of any deep and abiding sort has in any religious tradition… been a function of convenience.” - Douglas Henry, professor of philosophy at Baylor University

Writing on New Year’s Eve, I’m wondering if the new year dawns or if it looms for dudes like me? Here’s why.

It’s almost a year since Little i Apps launched the first Roman Catholic mobile-phone application, a product it hoped would reach a niche market of devout Catholics.

The firm apparently forgot that, with God, all things are possible since their Confession app - comes complete with step-by step guide to making confessions - ended 2011 in the iPhone App Store’s top 25 most popular apps.

“We thought there might be a parish or youth group interested in it,” surprised co-founder Patrick Leinen admits. “Turns out we’re beating things like Plants vs Zombies and Sims.”

Not to mention regular visits to local confessionals, Pat!

Get this. In a market dominated by games like Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja, the astounding success of the Confession app is unheard of for any lifestyle app, let alone a religious one. It’s still recording decent sales and was installed between 1,000 and 5,000 times over the month of December via the virtual store Android Market.

Perhaps now you understand why I ponder if, for vocations like mine, the new year dawns or looms? Forgive the paranoia, but I think they’re trying to make guys like me redundant – ‘tis a solid shot to the solar-plexus of my fragile self-esteem to commence 2012, no?

Picking up on Dr. Henry’s sentiment above, there are a number of very interesting conclusions to be drawn from this anecdote. I’m using the word “interesting” to try and allow for the full spectrum of potential responses. Some would suggest this news is “alarming;” others might call it “encouraging.”

The news report reminded me of an honest soul who recently confided he prefers to stay at home Sunday mornings and listen to my sermons online. “I actually think I focus better, pastor,” he volunteered without so much as a polite smirk.

“Good for you,” I responded. “You’ll thus appreciate why in 2012 I’ll be playing pre-recorded sermons and ceremonies at funerals and weddings. The implementation of this strategic application is in the interests of capitalizing on the best of the new technologies thereby freeing me up for more important duties.”

“You’re kidding,” he responded. “Nope” said I, “it’s called depersonalization. It’s the wave of the present. Deal with it!”

Tim Callaway is pastor at Faith Community Baptist Church in Airdrie. You can e-mail him at tcallaway@fcbcairdrie.com