Wallace SC&W
Internet Communication Opportunities
How well are you using the communication possibilities offered by the internet and cell phones? I am competent at some,
a newbie at others and just discovering others. But if we turn a blind eye to what these offer us we risk missing out on
some powerful opportunities to share Christ. So should you grab hold of Twitter or Pownce, Blogs, IM’s, Emails,
Virtual Worlds and Websites to connect to people? What do they have to offer?
Websites are the tool most familiar to churches. A website offers a basic source of information about you. The majority
of sites are set up for one way communication (from you to them) whether it is through a text page, podcast, or videocast.
However, some congregations are creating an interactive platform with their website (e.g. see the entry page of Harmony
Church which offers links to their website, blog, facebook, myspace, itunes material at http://www.harmonygreenville.com).
Caution: don’t let your site become irrelevant or out of date…that sends a powerful message about the church to those
evaluating what you are like.
Blogs, short for web logs, are like online journal. Messages are posted periodically on whatever topics the owner
desires (one example can be seen at: http://www.pavingyourway.com ). Most blogs are interactive allowing others
to comment on what has been written. They also have blogrolls (i.e., links to other blogs which the owner reads).
A couple of free blog providers are: wordpress (http://wordpress.org ) and b2evolution (http://b2evolution.net ).
Thought: Create a blog with areas for each ministry area of the church in order to talk about what is coming,
solicit ideas and gain feedback.
Email to individuals and group emails are a powerful way to get information across to many people quickly…if the
recipients check their email account. Email is cheaper and can be done with more frequency than traditional mail.
Emails can keep people in closer contact (e.g. send out hospitalizations or activities as they happen or are planned)
and give them a tangible option of responding (i.e. “reply”) to opportunities or thoughts. Caution: If you are doing
group emails be careful not to be labeled as a spammer. Check into getting on the “White list” of your provider so
that you don’t get blocked or even have service removed.
But beyond static emails or updatable blogs are opportunities where people can “touch base” with one
another in real time. Internet communication patterns are moving people into being in constant contact
with what others are doing versus just sharing “thoughts” on topics. This is more than being able to call
someone by cell phone or send an email through phone lines. These tools focus on allowing people to
interact at any time even about (especially about) the mundane things of life. This is accomplished by
sending short messages, pictures or files about the activities of daily life. This reveals more of the
“life experiences” of others. Some of these tools are:
Instant messaging which allows people to communicate with another in real time and with relative privacy
(e.g. Yahoo! Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger). You can add friends to a contact or
buddy list, by entering their email address or messenger ID. If they are online, their name will be listed as available
for chat. Clicking on their name will activate a chat window with space to write to the other person, as well as
read their reply. Thought: one minister suggested having a time during a service where members would IM friends
inviting them to an event or sending a word of affirmation.
Twitter (http://twitter.com) and Pownce (http://pownce.com) are services for friends, family, and co–workers to
communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent comments. Twitter functions with people
focusing on that question: “what are you doing?” and giving responses in 140 characters or less! Pownce is a way
to keep in touch and share files, links, events, and messages all during a conversation with each other.
Thought: on trips or at events could this be used when people were separated to “share” each others experiences?
Virtual Worlds are online experiences where people can interact in a cyberspace simulated world (e.g. second life
@ http://secondlife.com ). Some churches have developed virtual worlds, either on sites like secondlife or connected
to their own websites, where internet users can come to a simulated site, pick their seat, talk to others in the same row
and attend a worship service. Thought: what an opportunity to connect with people beyond our walls and to learn more
about the issues, desires and thoughts of others.
August 7, 2008
