Should local churches build online community too?

[Pat Coyle]

People are using social media to stay connected to friends and family. They are using it to make new connections at work. Brand marketers are using social media to engage customers. And now some churches are experimenting with online communities (like this one) to help strengthen their fellowships. What do you think of this concept? Would this work at your church? Why? Why not? Do you think your church experience wculd be enhanced through social media? Or would online community at church cause problems? Share your thoughts and experiences here

[Thomas Ho]

On Saturday, I participated in this event at New Covenant Church. because I DO feel that churches should "get on board" BUT I haven't tried to do anything at my own church YET! There is even a Facebook group called "Church 2.0"

I feel just as strongly that ministries should harness the power of online community. Campus Crusade for Christ has EveryStudent.com and Global Media Outreach.

It sounds like time for a Smaller Indiana group, doesn't it?

[David Mark]

Why not? Getting "The Word' out is part of a churches mission. Not to take away from the romance and nostaligia from the biblical times, but I just bet if this technology was around back in the day a few fellas you may know as the Disciples of Christ would've been elated.

I could hear Peter now, "You mean I can simply post a blog on what it's like to be a wingman for Christ, initiate a discussion thread on parable translations from the four gospels, post a job opening for a Disciple intern, form a 'Bread of Life' group, and openly discuss my theory on turning water into wine without hopping in a leaky boat, blistering my feet because my Air Nazarenes are from the discount bin at Jew Mart and I can eat my own unleavened bread? Well, then YES, let's start an online community!"

At least that's how I see it going down.

[Linda S Fitzgerald]

Oh David. . . I love it!!! And it would be just like Peter to say it & then do it!

[Erik Deckers]

Mine already has one. In fact, I'm an administrator on it. We built it using Ning, and modeled it after Smaller Indiana. We don't have nearly the traffic that SI does, but it has greatly helped people to stay in touch with each other. We've got a lot of people who have really embraced it and they're participating in all kinds of discussions on the site.

Of course, we had a lot of discussions beforehand, things that church people always worry about: what if we get online predators, what if people say things we don't like, what if people start flame wars? We had to address each of those (we'll block them, let it happen, we'll moderate them), and promise to take care of those concerns if they came up.

The biggest hurdle, at least for me, was to get people to agree to address these issues as they came up, rather than building in mechanisms to prevent them. We've had the site up for five months now, and haven't seen any problems. I prefer to trust in the goodness of people -- even Christians ;-) -- and trust their maturity and willingness to not be a-holes online. So far, so good.

[Thomas Ho]

This is one of the most "ambitious" church sites that I have seen.

I have started a tag for relevant content on Delicious.com

I warn you that the first article that I bookmarked is very provocative so read it at your own "risk" :-) It is a good example of how you can reach many people by going online (in this case via a blog posting)

Of course, Barack Obama has also shown us how you can mobilize many people by going online.

[Amy Stark]

Amen, Erik!
Thanks for sharing that information--you are a successful case study that can be used to help other organizations see the light. You gave me some good points to discuss with The Garden, thanks so much.

[Steven A. Shattuck]

The youth group at my church home maintains a blog where discussions can continue outside of group meetings. This keeps the youth very connected. I think that as churches reach out to generations Y and Z, they will have to embrace social/online media.

The Internet should be the #1 Evangelistic tool of any congregation. If someone looking for a new church home can visit a website, watch video about the congregation/worship, view or engage in discussions with members, listen to sermons/messages, they will be more likely to visit that church for the first time.

[aaron story]

Yes, I do believe there is a value in fostering authentic community, "by whatever means necessary" as Malcom X might say (chuckle). Seriously, little damage is done. For my generation (X'rs) and younger primarily (Millenials) its like water so we as churches its part of meeting people where they are at in a relevant and practical way. We value it at IndyMetro, though not really leading the charge in this arena.

Lifechurch.tv has an entire internet campus. Visit it here!

[Don Schindler]

I've done this for several churches including my own using the Ning platform. My church is small and on the North Side. It doesn't have a building yet but the online community is fairly active. www.northparkwired.com

The biggest issue I've found is that you MUST have an active administrator who really embraces the digital side. The church leaders must also be behind it. If you have a community and the church leaders won't use it or don't understand it, don't push it too hard. It will end backfiring on you.

Other communities have built were www.bethjones.org, which is very successful.

[Amy Stark]

Churches, synagogues, mosques and all other not-for-profits who wish to remain in existence, must adopt some form of online community - sooner rather than later.

It is an inexpensive way to encourage relationships to grow, and it strengths relationships that have already been established. In a recently added Ted Talk, the speaker claims the MAIN difference between wellness and illness, is the difference between the first few letters… we and I. People who feel part of a “we” are far happier than individuals who are isolated – “I”.

When you’re awake at four in the morning and you can’t sleep, it’s wonderful to be able to participate in an ongoing digital dialog and feel connected. It is fellowship not restricted by space or time.

[Amy Stark]

strengthens not strengths-- darn typos

[Hazel "The Queen" Walker]

I am not sure why they wouldnt. I think that Foundations like the BNI/Misner Foundation and Not for Profit Orgianzaitons like BOI should also create communities online so that they donors and clients can also connect with one another.