Warren sent me a link to an article in Alban Institute that discusses the church’s utilization of 2.0. I thought one comment in particular bears further reflection for our purposes:
It’s one thing to add Web 2.0 interactivity to an organization’s Web-presence.It’s another to “know how to … encourage the social interaction that is integral to the concept” of Web 2.0, by both attracting users and encouraging them to contribute content, and thus “to build intellectual capital.”
This hits on my greatest concern — that no one will “follow.” I can be absolutely right on target about the power of these 2.0 elements to build the church, but it is irrelevent if no one will use them.
Just what does make certain things “trendy?” Why would anybody ever want a pet rock? I’m hoping that Ginger will be able to guide is in that department. I’ve never been a trendsetter myself. In fact, much to my surprise, I learned in college that I’ve always been just a tad behind the times. But in my childhood, I was one of the Queen Bees. I knew when playing jacks or 4-square was what the “in” kids did and I played them well. I knew when you had to wear jeans hi-waisted without butt pockets. I knew what year it was okay to wear painter pants and when you would rather die than be caught wearing overalls.
Once I had kids, I lost my cool. According to them — I was lower than a wannabe. According to them, I was too clueless to even know what I should wanna be. And although I was now old and uncool, I remembered my jr. high lessons that the only thing that mattered in determining your cool factor was what others perceived. (SNL skit Mom Celebrity Translator) The older I get, the more I am inclined to twist up the names of the pop culture stars and wearing jeans too short and too high. When I suggest to my old high school friends to get a facebook account so we can more readily and easily stay connected, they balk — some even get hostile. I have tried to beg, steal and borrow my own family members to get a Twitter account so I can try to figure out the point. Nothing. Nobody. No responses.
If it is a social networking “hub” that we are trying to create, then it needs to be the place to be, it needs to be where the movers and shakers hang out, it needs to be charismatic. Then, the hub can be strong enough to bring the marginalized in and eliminate these labels. Or that’s what I hope.
Sarah Bennett is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Texas. She is an avid evangelist of social media and honest, authentic conversations of the spiritual journey. Gregg and I have been married 24 yrs with "narry a ripple in the sea of matrimony." We have a daughter, Megan (22) and a son, Gregg (20). I am an Episcopal priest exploring the theological and ecclesiological implications of social networks.
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I’m an Episcopal priest in Austin, TX. I am working to develop a new ministry strategy that deepens community bonds, stimulates theological conversations, and reaches out to others through social networking. I have been energized by Clay Shirky’s book, Here Comes Everybody, and am fascinated by the power, good and bad, of novel collaborative efforts now made possible by the internet.
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Good post Sarah. That’s about the right length it seems to me. When did you graduate from Austin…I must have just missed you there. I started in 2000.
Folks may be right that the whole ‘techno thing’ is just a passing fancy, but I’d rather be making connections in that arena than to miss making the connections that the Gospel seems to demand. Either way, the fabulous 50’s are gone for good and the Church ignores that reality at its own peril.
Keep it up!
I just saw this comment of yours when I moved it over to WordPress. Waaaa?