If you haven't heard, e-mail is so 2006. Text messages sent via cell phones are quickly becoming the communication method of choice, especially among young adults. And churches are now finding ways to integrate the medium into their ministries.

Earlier this year, Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, fielded churchgoers' questions sent through text messages during his "Religion Saves" sermon series. The approach offered anonymity (no one had to go up to an open mic) and broader participation (off-site viewers, including those watching streamed video online from home, could send in questions).

The ability to interact with the preaching via text messaging during the sermon was so well received that Mars Hill is planning to expand its use.

At Lake Pointe Church near Dallas, Mason Randall says his skateboarding outreach ministry has grown about 25 percent during the past year largely because of text messages sent through EZTexting.com.

Randall, the congregation's student outreach ...