Re-imagining Cyberchurch

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

Comments

[Simon]

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.

[Tim Bednar]

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.

[Tim Bednar]

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

[Paul]

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!?