-
The Hyper-Connected Church
The spin revolving around social networking may be slowing down. I suspect that somewhere between Facebook and Twitter interest peaked and I believe trends suggest we can expect less hype going forward. Despite being a believer and user of several social networks, I am a bit relieved to see the social networking sizzle start to fizzle.
I prefer to see social networks as less about "how to" and more why and what if. Many of us recognize that virtual networks are merely reflections of our connections in the real world. I believe the hyper-connectedness we see online only scratches the surface of what is really happening. A study conducted by the Monitor Institute echoes this sentiment:
"…the tools are only the beginning of the story. The deeper news is actually about the networks behind the tools, and how these networks are fundamentally changing the way we live and work… The real transformation is in the way that people are using the tools and fundamentally changing how they think, form groups, and do their work."
I suspect if the Monitor Institute were church growth consultants, they might tell us that traditional church-as-usual is not going to work in the hyper-connected church. They would ask whether our churches are prepared to make the necessary "connections" in order to effectively communicate in such a networked society. They might insist that networking is less about Twittering or being LinkedIn and rather more about openness, transparency, decentralization, and collaboration.
Church leaders should consider these characteristics of a hyper-connected, networked society.
DecentralizedNetworks are self-organized and self-governing- they do not require centralized planning and they are able to carry out a mission without having to be granted permission first.
Viral Speed
Networks allow information to flow quickly which results in a more immediate call to action.
Overcome Barriers
In order to grow, networks break down traditional barriers, encouraging collaboration with other networks who share similar passions.
Wisdom of Crowds
As a network grows, it accumulates more knowledge and experience which leaves little room for outside sources of expertise and leadership.
Build on the Progress of Others
The network shares information and resources which enables progress to build atop the work of others.
No Membership Required
Networks organize around a common goal and may disband quickly once the goal is achieved.
Unfortunately, networks may require us to change some of the ways we are connecting with people- the old ways may simply not work anymore. Networks require us to think about whether we are effectively communicating and organizing our efforts in the best possible ways. This mindset challenges some of our assumptions about ministry and how we carry-out our mission. Fortunately, networks allow us to better understand ourselves, our communities, and our world. They allow us to develop and share wisdom and insight. Networks are a great place to exchange ideas and to share resources. Most importantly, networks offer us an effective way to interact and engage with a lost world, to serve and to spread the Gospel to those unwilling or unable to hear anywhere else.
Interested readers can download a copy of the Monitor Institute report here.
Jason Lewis also writes at The Generous Life and consults with church and para-church groups as a member of The Frank Group. Jason can be reached at jasonlewis@thefrankgroup.us
Blogs
User Comments
Latest posts by Jason Lewis
