An article i wrote for Relevant mag just came out.It was originally called “Reimagining Cyberchurch” as a nod to Doug Pagitt. But the editors have called it “Linking to Cyberchurch” and thats fine with me. Relevant Magazine holds very high standards in both content and graphics so I am just happy to have them publish something of mine.
“Will it be a simple upgrade of the same cheesy graphics, spinning GIFs, heavy flash intros and online tithing options that we experienced in the nineties? Or will the church online take on a new identity and shape, sharing life in fresh genres that are native to the Internet?” More
Key Ideas:
– Cyberchurch is people, not institutions.
– Cyberchurch is not a department store for consumers.
– Cyberchurch is neither democratic nor non-hierarchical.
– Cyberchurch does not replace the physical and it does a poor job reproducing it.
Technorati Tags: cyberchurch, new media, web 2.0
Well written article.
I’d love to hear how ‘pre-knowing’ people through blogging affects real church relationships.
For example, I’m part of a faith community where many participants are active bloggers – and at times, quite personal bloggers.
I feel I know them on two different levels at times, depending on the personal skills of the people involved, I feel I know some of them on a different level through their blogging than through regular live interaction.
Nice article, I’m doing something similar as part of a series,
The 20 memes changing your congregation from the year 2005
http://www.e-church.com/Blog.asp?EntryID=48837
Except I’m focusing on how the cyberchurch is changing the congregation (as distinct from the church).
FYI: Andrew, I will be re-launching e-Church with a new design, love your thoughts…
http://www.e-church.com/default_.asp
to preview the live demo.
With regard to web 2.0 and how it is what the Internet was supposed to be, I found this post
http://bobwyman.pubsub.com/main/2005/12/memex_the_first.html
Nice article, well written. It is pretty exciting to see the many ways in which the Christian community is using the web in new and creative ways to “supplement flesh-and-blood ministries.” Who knows what it’ll be like in 2015!?