Talk to a Pastor Online Expands Services
Take a Look - Talk to a Pastor Online Expands Services
The free chat service to text a question and get an answer has been limited to Sunday morning. Now it is available 7 days a week "
I'm excited about the expansion of service, says Trujillo. The Sunday morning window for Free Chat has been rather quiet. I don't think people around find that time totally convenient. Nowadays people want answers right away. They go online and are used to going to Wikipedia, for example, for an instant answer any time of the day and any day of the week. I thought "why not have a pastor with instant answers too. It's a great concept, but I see the need to expand it to 7 days a week."
"It's very user friendly and convenient. Since we use ParaChat software, it is very professional. When asked whether he sees a contradiction in offering instant answers for people with religious or spiritual questions, Dr Trujillo responded that the instant answers are quick answers for educational purposes. Many questions like "should I let my kids play video games" can be answered instantly. Even deeper questions can be answered with a reference to one of my books, articles or free lectures.
People who are interested in more in depth spiritual coaching or counseling will then use our Liveperson connection. The free chat gives them a chance to touch bases with me and get acquainted. If they decide they want professional coaching, then they can meet me at my Liveperson virtual office.
With LivePerson, a community of online helpers, you don't even have to reveal who you are. I don't know who you are but I can answer your sincere question. So it's a win win situation. "
Dr. Roland Trujillo, an ordained nondenominational minister, is excited about the new service, but says its success will depend on whether people respond or not. Many people have been turned off to religion because they have been pressured to join something or adopt some doctrine. Others have sincere questions, but want to remain anonymous and don't want to get involved with some group.
"I think my service may be helpful, because you don't have to join and you can remain anonymous to me."
When asked how it works, Dr. Trujillo said, "I am using LivePerson, a community of online helpers. LivePerson provides the email, chat and telephone service, and serves as a neutral provider. This means that I don't have to deal with logistics. All I have to do is receive an email from someone anonymously through LivePerson, and then I respond to it."
When asked what the biggest obstacle to overcome, Dr. Trujillo says "there are two. First is weeding out the frivolous or practical joke questions. That's why I use LivePerson, which does the screening."
But I can't turn everyone away from Free Chat just because some of the questions are not sincere. I've got to be there to help if I can.
"The second issue has to do with the charge. Some people immediately judge me because of the small charge. They transfer their resentment toward some authority (with whom they have had bad experiences) to me. "
Dr. Trujillo says: "They forget that since I have no church and don't belong to an organization, I get nothing."
All I'm saying is that if they judge me, they are judging me without a cause, since I get nothing and give almost everything away (and will answer a question for free if the person honestly cannot afford anything)."
"Having the expanded service to answer questions free really helps," says Dr. Trujillo. "That way people know that I am not in it for money, but am giving of my time for free."
When asked whether he has any other resources available, Dr. Trujillo says: "Yes, maybe this is the best part. Through the portal of Talk to a Pastor, the visitor can access dozens of free audio sermons, scores of blogposts and articles, a free meditation, and even some of my books to read free online."
Dr. Trujillo says he is realistic and will wait and see how it goes. But "at least I'm trying he says."
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Talk to a Pastor Online can be accessed at http//talktoapastoronline.blogspot.com.
