Comments on: Future of the Church 5 (of 5) http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/ a leadership, technology, and innovation blog for pastors and church leaders Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:34:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Stephen Feather http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-55682 Stephen Feather Wed, 31 Oct 2007 18:55:09 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-55682 Facebook, SMS and MMS are how my students communicate information. But, when a friend has been killed, a family member is sick, when life just seems like garbage... ..breakfast at CFA. ..lunch in the school cafeteria. ..coffee at Starbucks. ..90 minutes of soccer. ..time spent just listening. Its the touch... It was the touch of the Son of God that drew us to His heart. As His ministers on earth, its the touch. Facebook, SMS and MMS are how my students communicate information. But, when a friend has been killed, a family member is sick, when life just seems like garbage…

..breakfast at CFA.
..lunch in the school cafeteria.
..coffee at Starbucks.
..90 minutes of soccer.
..time spent just listening.

Its the touch…
It was the touch of the Son of God that drew us to His heart. As His ministers on earth, its the touch.

]]> By: Kerri http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-55324 Kerri Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:04:14 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-55324 Thanks, Brandon -- That's really cool to hear how people can connect online and then take it to the "real world." thanks for taking the itme to respond. Thanks, Brandon — That’s really cool to hear how people can connect online and then take it to the “real world.” thanks for taking the itme to respond.

]]> By: BARTON DAMER http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-54895 BARTON DAMER Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:57:10 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-54895 In many ways technology has allowed people i've come in contact with to be more intimate/personal. i'll give you an example. I used to run a "skateboard church" and so many of those kids would not talk about the Lord one on one... (it's been 3 years since the ministry shut down)... and i've had the opportunity to counsel and even lead one person to the Lord via IM (years afterward and from another state)!!!! i even followed up with the person via phone and it was just awkward. they only wanted to be honest/real over IM. it was to embarrassing to talk about it in person or even phone. that is not the only case either, friends have shared marriage issues over IM that were just to embarrassing to talk about in person... i love it too! it allows me to have the internet right there and search scriptures without being put on the spot and not having a good answer. In many ways technology has allowed people i’ve come in contact with to be more intimate/personal. i’ll give you an example. I used to run a “skateboard church” and so many of those kids would not talk about the Lord one on one… (it’s been 3 years since the ministry shut down)… and i’ve had the opportunity to counsel and even lead one person to the Lord via IM (years afterward and from another state)!!!! i even followed up with the person via phone and it was just awkward. they only wanted to be honest/real over IM. it was to embarrassing to talk about it in person or even phone.

that is not the only case either, friends have shared marriage issues over IM that were just to embarrassing to talk about in person… i love it too! it allows me to have the internet right there and search scriptures without being put on the spot and not having a good answer.

]]> By: Relationships and Technology « The LOGOS Ministry http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-54084 Relationships and Technology « The LOGOS Ministry Fri, 26 Oct 2007 20:00:10 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-54084 [...] Relationships and Technology How do we build relationships with children and youth in today’s world?  A major component of the answer to that question is to be relevant to their world.  See our prior blog.  In 2005, the Board of Directors of The LOGOS Ministry created the initiative for the ministry to create new ways to be relationship focused while at the same time being technology based.   We unveiled it as the High-Touch and High-Tech approach to ministry. Questions were raised and dealt with about the partnership of these two initiatives.  How can one focus on relationships while moving to a greater use of technology?  Doesn’t technology interfere with relationships?  Of course we believe the answer to this latter question is no it doesn’t have to, it actually can build those relationships up.  And so that is how we have moved forward in the last two years.  A week ago, the 5th largest church in the country, LifeChurch, blogged about the exact same thing.  In fact, Craig Groeschel, the lead pastor, put it this way, [...] [...] Relationships and Technology How do we build relationships with children and youth in today’s world?  A major component of the answer to that question is to be relevant to their world.  See our prior blog.  In 2005, the Board of Directors of The LOGOS Ministry created the initiative for the ministry to create new ways to be relationship focused while at the same time being technology based.   We unveiled it as the High-Touch and High-Tech approach to ministry. Questions were raised and dealt with about the partnership of these two initiatives.  How can one focus on relationships while moving to a greater use of technology?  Doesn’t technology interfere with relationships?  Of course we believe the answer to this latter question is no it doesn’t have to, it actually can build those relationships up.  And so that is how we have moved forward in the last two years.  A week ago, the 5th largest church in the country, LifeChurch, blogged about the exact same thing.  In fact, Craig Groeschel, the lead pastor, put it this way, [...]

]]> By: John Moorehead http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-54024 John Moorehead Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:29:28 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-54024 Whether you like the advance of technology to keep in touch or not, it is still happening. People are routinely using technology to stay in touch. If we decide to ignore an avenue of connecting with one another because it might not be ideal I think we're underestimating what God can really do. Great discussion, this is really informative. Whether you like the advance of technology to keep in touch or not, it is still happening. People are routinely using technology to stay in touch. If we decide to ignore an avenue of connecting with one another because it might not be ideal I think we’re underestimating what God can really do.

Great discussion, this is really informative.

]]> By: Brandon Donaldson http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-53531 Brandon Donaldson Wed, 24 Oct 2007 18:08:48 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-53531 Kerrie, The Internet Campus has seen some really cool stories involving community online. I believe the Internet Campus has become a great first step to Christ and to church for many, but there are also hundreds of people who have committed to small groups during the week. We have almost 50 LifeGroups (small groups) that meet during the week. Over 30 of these groups meet online using internet tools. Here is a cool story we saw in one of our online groups that had been meeting for a year. They had all met through the Internet Campus. This group decided to fly into Oklahoma and spend the weekend together. This was there first time to meet in person. They all stayed in one house, instead of a hotel, so they could spend all of their short time together in person. There were about 15 and they were from 5-6 different states. Three of them were baptized on that weekend. They are still meeting online now. Kerrie,
The Internet Campus has seen some really cool stories involving community online. I believe the Internet Campus has become a great first step to Christ and to church for many, but there are also hundreds of people who have committed to small groups during the week. We have almost 50 LifeGroups (small groups) that meet during the week. Over 30 of these groups meet online using internet tools.

Here is a cool story we saw in one of our online groups that had been meeting for a year. They had all met through the Internet Campus. This group decided to fly into Oklahoma and spend the weekend together. This was there first time to meet in person. They all stayed in one house, instead of a hotel, so they could spend all of their short time together in person. There were about 15 and they were from 5-6 different states. Three of them were baptized on that weekend. They are still meeting online now.

]]> By: Leadership Network Learnings http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-53257 Leadership Network Learnings Tue, 23 Oct 2007 21:13:06 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-53257 <strong>What's the church's future?...</strong> This week, Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv, has begun an intriguing series of blog posts about the future of the church: Future of the Church 1 (of 5) - larger and smaller Future of the Church 2 (of 5) -... What’s the church’s future?…

This week, Pastor Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv, has begun an intriguing series of blog posts about the future of the church: Future of the Church 1 (of 5) - larger and smaller Future of the Church 2 (of 5) -…

]]> By: David http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52954 David Tue, 23 Oct 2007 01:29:14 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52954 Wow! I love the passion here, guess some buttons are being pushed. Good topic and (for me) very educational. This is way better than TV (it's two way)! Wow! I love the passion here, guess some buttons are being pushed. Good topic and (for me) very educational. This is way better than TV (it’s two way)!

]]> By: Angie M http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52661 Angie M Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:49:06 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52661 Wow. Can’t even believe this is a concern. The kid you talked out of committing suicide via chat, the girl you encourage to not compromise her honor by giving into her boyfriend’s pressure of having sex, the long ensuing talks of Christ and His glory that got a person to attend church, get in a life group, and meet a girl who was suicidal whom HE was then able to help, which in turn gave him confidence that maybe, just maybe, God really did create him for a reason…I mean, come on, what’s the question again? When one falls head over heels in love with Christ Jesus, oh the lover of my soul, to question the avenue as to how I will reach anyone, someone, everyone, so that I may stop but if just ONE more tear falling from the heart of my Father in Heaven, just blows me away. To say that we can keep in touch with our friends from high school or whatever is one thing, but then to talk of its possible inability because of the lack of person to person contact…well…what if YOUR child was kidnapped, would you really, truly, not put pleas out on the internet, leave flyers anywhere possible, not make phone calls, send text messages, WHATEVER, in order to get your child back??? Well that is what has happened to billions of our dad’s kids (our brothers and sisters!!), and we sit here and question this beautiful avenue of finding them, reaching out to them, loving them, saving them? Well, I love my dad so much, and I will stop at nothing to help Him because His heart is my heart. So I dare not put limitation as to how I (we) could possibly EVER do work towards making our dad happy, elated, overjoyed, ecstatic because we cared enough to help, love, encourage, assist, or bring laughter into one of his children’s lives by doing even just that goofy little 8;-O emoticon thingy…All I care about is helping my dad be not only the BEST DAD EVER, but the HAPPIEST DAD EVER…Oh man, to see him laugh and smile because we helped Him get back just one of his kids via technology, I am so in. Wow. Can’t even believe this is a concern. The kid you talked out of committing suicide via chat, the girl you encourage to not compromise her honor by giving into her boyfriend’s pressure of having sex, the long ensuing talks of Christ and His glory that got a person to attend church, get in a life group, and meet a girl who was suicidal whom HE was then able to help, which in turn gave him confidence that maybe, just maybe, God really did create him for a reason…I mean, come on, what’s the question again? When one falls head over heels in love with Christ Jesus, oh the lover of my soul, to question the avenue as to how I will reach anyone, someone, everyone, so that I may stop but if just ONE more tear falling from the heart of my Father in Heaven, just blows me away. To say that we can keep in touch with our friends from high school or whatever is one thing, but then to talk of its possible inability because of the lack of person to person contact…well…what if YOUR child was kidnapped, would you really, truly, not put pleas out on the internet, leave flyers anywhere possible, not make phone calls, send text messages, WHATEVER, in order to get your child back??? Well that is what has happened to billions of our dad’s kids (our brothers and sisters!!), and we sit here and question this beautiful avenue of finding them, reaching out to them, loving them, saving them? Well, I love my dad so much, and I will stop at nothing to help Him because His heart is my heart. So I dare not put limitation as to how I (we) could possibly EVER do work towards making our dad happy, elated, overjoyed, ecstatic because we cared enough to help, love, encourage, assist, or bring laughter into one of his children’s lives by doing even just that goofy little 8;-O emoticon thingy…All I care about is helping my dad be not only the BEST DAD EVER, but the HAPPIEST DAD EVER…Oh man, to see him laugh and smile because we helped Him get back just one of his kids via technology, I am so in.

]]> By: D Rho http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52619 D Rho Mon, 22 Oct 2007 05:09:39 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52619 Question: We have been living in the technological age for years now... Do you think as a society we're becoming more intimate, or just more connected (the difference being the level of intimacy being realized - which for me is the true measure of relationship)????? My answer: The vast number of available connections has actually deprived most people the opportunity to dive into those levels of intimacy that humans so desperately desire. The danger (which I often fall into myself) is that people are getting all they "think" they need from these non-fleshed-out relationships - and that is enough for them. Relationships take so much more than that! I'm not saying it can't happen online - in fact I know it can - I just wonder (as a whole society) if this is happening. I would venture to say it isn't for many reasons. One being because most people don't know what real intimacy looks like in the fleshed-out reality, therefore they're not attempting it online virtually. Credibility: Someone responded saying Jesus would be using the internet - I doubt it! Society doesn't believe half the stuff it sees online - I'm sure the authenticity of His message would be more greatly felt face-to-face and by real word-of-mouth. In Jesus' day there were writings and other media available to use - only he seemed to teach more by the way of inviting people to be witnesses to his real life, to boil all things down to one person's heart-state... Media: Media has nothing to do with relationships really, because it's just art. It's purpose/importance is simply to engage people as they relate, anything else media does is very personalized. Question:
We have been living in the technological age for years now… Do you think as a society we’re becoming more intimate, or just more connected (the difference being the level of intimacy being realized - which for me is the true measure of relationship)?????

My answer:
The vast number of available connections has actually deprived most people the opportunity to dive into those levels of intimacy that humans so desperately desire. The danger (which I often fall into myself) is that people are getting all they “think” they need from these non-fleshed-out relationships - and that is enough for them. Relationships take so much more than that! I’m not saying it can’t happen online - in fact I know it can - I just wonder (as a whole society) if this is happening. I would venture to say it isn’t for many reasons. One being because most people don’t know what real intimacy looks like in the fleshed-out reality, therefore they’re not attempting it online virtually.

Credibility:
Someone responded saying Jesus would be using the internet - I doubt it! Society doesn’t believe half the stuff it sees online - I’m sure the authenticity of His message would be more greatly felt face-to-face and by real word-of-mouth. In Jesus’ day there were writings and other media available to use - only he seemed to teach more by the way of inviting people to be witnesses to his real life, to boil all things down to one person’s heart-state…

Media:
Media has nothing to do with relationships really, because it’s just art. It’s purpose/importance is simply to engage people as they relate, anything else media does is very personalized.

]]> By: Trina Kelley http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52491 Trina Kelley Sun, 21 Oct 2007 21:01:54 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52491 Having moved as much as I have recently technology is what keeps me in touch with friends and family. I have had a friendship based solely on telephone time. I haven't gotten anyone to "go to church" with me online yet, but I will. I have attended once when away from home. I look forward to the day when everyone that I love is a member of the internet campus and we can discuss church together. My experience in Tulsa has been wonderful. I have the opportunity for local Mission work, chance to serve others by volunteering my time, and love of God through all my Holy Spirit experiences that I have already had since July. I know that God has me here now right where he wants me, and that with an open mind to new things others will follow. Having moved as much as I have recently technology is what keeps me in touch with friends and family. I have had a friendship based solely on telephone time. I haven’t gotten anyone to “go to church” with me online yet, but I will. I have attended once when away from home. I look forward to the day when everyone that I love is a member of the internet campus and we can discuss church together. My experience in Tulsa has been wonderful. I have the opportunity for local Mission work, chance to serve others by volunteering my time, and love of God through all my Holy Spirit experiences that I have already had since July. I know that God has me here now right where he wants me, and that with an open mind to new things others will follow.

]]> By: Kerri Weems http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52151 Kerri Weems Sat, 20 Oct 2007 17:26:50 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52151 Todd had great questions that I have asked myself, too, as I've looked at LCs online campus. I would also like to know (maybe a dumb question) if/how you know who is attending your online campus. If you do know, what do you do with that info? Is there a follow-up process, or do you consider that "venue" to be a "big front door" entry point and let people remain rather anonymous in that experience until they reach out. Do you view the online campus as an endpoint or a through way? I don't know if I am asking the right questions in the right way? Just kind of wondering how you get people into what I would call the life of the church from there. Thanks -- you guys are awesome! Todd had great questions that I have asked myself, too, as I’ve looked at LCs online campus. I would also like to know (maybe a dumb question) if/how you know who is attending your online campus. If you do know, what do you do with that info? Is there a follow-up process, or do you consider that “venue” to be a “big front door” entry point and let people remain rather anonymous in that experience until they reach out. Do you view the online campus as an endpoint or a through way? I don’t know if I am asking the right questions in the right way? Just kind of wondering how you get people into what I would call the life of the church from there. Thanks — you guys are awesome!

]]> By: jimmy paravane http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52093 jimmy paravane Sat, 20 Oct 2007 12:19:32 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52093 The Mars Hill Journey blog of 10/19 makes an interesting point about Matthew 16:18. They say that it tells us that Christ is building his church, not the people in it. How does that apply to this topic? It got me to thinking. Not being an alien, I sometimes forget that God is in control of all this "stuff", not the world. I think that gets reflected in my viewpoint a little bit sometimes. (grin) The Mars Hill Journey blog of 10/19 makes an interesting point about Matthew 16:18. They say that it tells us that Christ is building his church, not the people in it. How does that apply to this topic? It got me to thinking. Not being an alien, I sometimes forget that God is in control of all this “stuff”, not the world. I think that gets reflected in my viewpoint a little bit sometimes. (grin)

]]> By: FUTURECHURCH.COM! muah hah hah! « jimmy paravane’s blog http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52087 FUTURECHURCH.COM! muah hah hah! « jimmy paravane’s blog Sat, 20 Oct 2007 11:15:01 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52087 [...] FUTURECHURCH.COM! muah hah hah! I’m surprised that’s not taken yet. Craig Groeschel has concluded the Future of the Church series on LifeChurch’s Swerve blog with part 5. Check out all 5 in the series for some lively and fun predictions about said. This last one in the series is about “Higher Tech and Higher Touch”. [...] [...] FUTURECHURCH.COM! muah hah hah! I’m surprised that’s not taken yet. Craig Groeschel has concluded the Future of the Church series on LifeChurch’s Swerve blog with part 5. Check out all 5 in the series for some lively and fun predictions about said. This last one in the series is about “Higher Tech and Higher Touch”. [...]

]]> By: Ray http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-52006 Ray Sat, 20 Oct 2007 04:04:48 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-52006 Craig, I think through this weeks post, I have heard a man listening to a clear voice of the Spirit. We have been trapped for so long in our traditions and methods that we have forgotten how to hear God as individuals. We rely solely on the "pastor" to tel us what God is saying or doing. God showed through Jesus his intent to speak to each child personally. Thanks for your openness this week. What we know is surely going to see a major shake up in the days ahead. Many will sadly hold on to what they are "used" to as God "rips the curtain" and walks out the back door, leaving them with only a glimpse (remnant) of himself. Those who follow him in the expanse of His glory will find that He still touches the lepers, heals the sick, raises the dead, cast out the demons, and heals their broken lives. They will also experience the bite of the "wolves" that Jesus referred to. Thanks for your desire to follow Jesus and lead other people to do the same! Craig, I think through this weeks post, I have heard a man listening to a clear voice of the Spirit. We have been trapped for so long in our traditions and methods that we have forgotten how to hear God as individuals. We rely solely on the “pastor” to tel us what God is saying or doing. God showed through Jesus his intent to speak to each child personally. Thanks for your openness this week. What we know is surely going to see a major shake up in the days ahead. Many will sadly hold on to what they are “used” to as God “rips the curtain” and walks out the back door, leaving them with only a glimpse (remnant) of himself.

Those who follow him in the expanse of His glory will find that He still touches the lepers, heals the sick, raises the dead, cast out the demons, and heals their broken lives. They will also experience the bite of the “wolves” that Jesus referred to.

Thanks for your desire to follow Jesus and lead other people to do the same!

]]> By: Aaron Marshall http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-51914 Aaron Marshall Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:27:40 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-51914 Lately I have been using twitter to connect with people, in and out of church. It seems to be something that you dont have to be terribly tech savvy to understand... Just send a text message to 40404 that says "follow aaronmarshall" and bang you are connected. I just did a video blog about it. Lately I have been using twitter to connect with people, in and out of church. It seems to be something that you dont have to be terribly tech savvy to understand… Just send a text message to 40404 that says “follow aaronmarshall” and bang you are connected.

I just did a video blog about it.

]]> By: Avery http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-51908 Avery Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:06:09 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-51908 You know there are some things that I consider grace from God that I would go crazy without... Talk radio...(Mostly Bible teaching news and info, but I also like the radio talk shows...) I also have friends all over the world through the web (e-mail, blogs, discussion forums, etc)... part because I am an evangelist, and have found online evangelism extremely fruitful, and part because we evangelists are all wierdos (you know being wisked away like the wind).. it is good to share thoughts, and be encouraged by each other's struggles... One of my very good friends, whom I have never met face to face has a website called "The Reformed Evangelist"... Another good friend I have never met face to face is a pastor from a small church in India who is also an evnagelist...(his perspective is refreshing...)... I have met people online from Thailand, Australia, and India, that I have met face to face, all through the web... I agree Craig... I don't think it is as intimate of friendships as those that are face to face, but spiritually speaking... we are one, and for a single cause...I don't think the accountability is as good, but the friendship definitely is... You know millions of people around the world all get online two or three times a week from all over the world to play "Halo"... and some of them have become pretty familiar... It isn't only possible, but it is inevitable... Technology can become a monster, but it can also be a blessing... and unifying... You know there are some things that I consider grace from God that I would go crazy without…

Talk radio…(Mostly Bible teaching news and info, but I also like the radio talk shows…)

I also have friends all over the world through the web (e-mail, blogs, discussion forums, etc)… part because I am an evangelist, and have found online evangelism extremely fruitful, and part because we evangelists are all wierdos (you know being wisked away like the wind).. it is good to share thoughts, and be encouraged by each other’s struggles…

One of my very good friends, whom I have never met face to face has a website called “The Reformed Evangelist”…

Another good friend I have never met face to face is a pastor from a small church in India who is also an evnagelist…(his perspective is refreshing…)…

I have met people online from Thailand, Australia, and India, that I have met face to face, all through the web…

I agree Craig…

I don’t think it is as intimate of friendships as those that are face to face, but spiritually speaking… we are one, and for a single cause…I don’t think the accountability is as good, but the friendship definitely is…

You know millions of people around the world all get online two or three times a week from all over the world to play “Halo”… and some of them have become pretty familiar…

It isn’t only possible, but it is inevitable…

Technology can become a monster, but it can also be a blessing… and unifying…

]]> By: Joshua http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-51868 Joshua Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:43:59 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-51868 I have used technology to keep in touch with personal friends from high school. When we all graduated and went to college, we were able to call each other once in a while but that was about it. Now, thanks to MySpace and video chatting we can learn about each other's lives and see each other when we talk. We can text if we have a quick question or e-mail a picture or two from a fun event. One of the benefits of an online social network is you can 'catch up' with the person and then spend your next phone conversation asking questions to fill-in-the-blanks. In other words, you don't have to spend your entire conversation telling each other where you are in life. You can pre-read it and view the pictures along the way! This can be a great tool for the church. If new members come into a congregation, they should be able to 'catch up' and feel a part of everything that has been happening even before they arrived. This can create an amazing sense of ownership and community all at the same time. I have used technology to keep in touch with personal friends from high school. When we all graduated and went to college, we were able to call each other once in a while but that was about it. Now, thanks to MySpace and video chatting we can learn about each other’s lives and see each other when we talk. We can text if we have a quick question or e-mail a picture or two from a fun event.

One of the benefits of an online social network is you can ‘catch up’ with the person and then spend your next phone conversation asking questions to fill-in-the-blanks. In other words, you don’t have to spend your entire conversation telling each other where you are in life. You can pre-read it and view the pictures along the way!

This can be a great tool for the church. If new members come into a congregation, they should be able to ‘catch up’ and feel a part of everything that has been happening even before they arrived. This can create an amazing sense of ownership and community all at the same time.

]]> By: jimmy paravane http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-51863 jimmy paravane Fri, 19 Oct 2007 19:18:41 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-51863 The method of communication doesn't matter. It's the fact of it. It allows for the evidence of things unseen. Among other things. The method of communication doesn’t matter. It’s the fact of it. It allows for the evidence of things unseen. Among other things.

]]> By: Bobby Gruenewald http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/comment-page-1/#comment-51831 Bobby Gruenewald Fri, 19 Oct 2007 16:13:01 +0000 http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/10/19/future-of-the-church-5-of-5/#comment-51831 Todd, You're not hijacking the thread. I think you may have answered your question with your questions. I think that mutual desire and frequency are certainly a part of it. The catalyst that I was refering to is "a common experience". All of those things are exactly the same things I would use to describe what contributes to in-person relationships too. Todd,

You’re not hijacking the thread.

I think you may have answered your question with your questions.

I think that mutual desire and frequency are certainly a part of it. The catalyst that I was refering to is “a common experience”. All of those things are exactly the same things I would use to describe what contributes to in-person relationships too.

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