Digital Touch
Reaching Out Online

by Danielle Anselmo

IN THIS AGE OF 60-hour workweeks, two-income households, fast food dinners and subdivided communities, Americans are increasingly looking beyond their front porches for a sense of community.

People are not only socializing online, according to the Pew Internet and American Life project, but they’re using the Internet as a means of seeking information, exchanging advice and making decisions. In fact, the number of Americans relying on the Internet for major life decisions has increased by one-third since 2002.

Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, says the minstry’s Internet Campus yields more decisions for Christ, per capita, than any of the church’s 11 other campuses.

The anonymity and easy access offered by the Internet makes approaching a new church a more comfortable, natural experience, says Randy Renbarger of Perimeter Church in Duluth, Ga. “People are leery nowadays,” he adds. “The world is a scary place, unless you can filter it through a comfort zone, and the Internet is a comfort zone. You can get all of this information before you even cross the threshold of the door.”

What does all this mean for the average local church? “It’s important for local churches to meet people online, as that’s where they’re spending a significant amount of their time,” advises Ministry Camp founder Dan Lee, who adds that an emphasis on interactivity is of the utmost importance. “People don’t just look at pages of information anymore. They watch videos, play games, use applications and connect with their friends. It’s especially important that local churches embrace the social elements of Web 2.0, such as connecting with people through networks like MySpace and Facebook.”

Though secular sites such as MySpace and Facebook dominate the world of online communities, more and more “niche” communities are popping up, many of which are geared toward a Christian audience. Some ministries create their own virtual campuses, and some join free networking sites like MyChurch.org, while still others hire design firms to create their very own members-only social network.

Regardless of the format, churches are finding that some sort of interactive online community serves to make congregants feel more involved and empowered to serve.

“Participants interact online around theological issues more often than they would in a traditional church,” says Glen Moriarty, assistant professor at Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. “They share and modify religious media and engage Christianity in a way that’s not often encouraged by traditional congregations. That is, they actively control what they want to share and how they want to serve, whereas in traditional congregations, there are typically preformatted ways of sharing, and usually only certain roles that are encouraged to serve.”

The versatility of the online community also serves to draw in and engage the younger generation, according to Rex Miller, author of Millenium Matrix. “Web 2.0 provides a blueprint, platform and opportunity for churches to plug into the iGeneration’s mindset and power. If the church creates a platform of participation … younger people will come.”

Tony Dye of Perimeter Church agrees that the growing popularity of virtual communities is part of the natural progression of technology. “People ask, ‘Can you have community and experience without the physical connection … can you have a deep relationship in this way?’ The answer is [that] I think it’s becoming normal. Especially as we look at our kids and what they’re doing now.”

Keeping those kids safe while online is another reason ministries might want to boost their online presence. More than half (55 percent) of American teens maintain a profile on at least one social networking site, many of which provide easy access to pornographic and vulgar content.

When the publishers of Christian music magazine C.C.M. started their own Christian-focused social network, they were overwhelmed by the response from young Christian music fans.

“We haven’t gotten anything but positive reactions, such as ‘We really appreciate what you’re doing; we really enjoy the chance to be on a site like this without having to look at gross profiles or questionable content,” reports Joan Dyer, web development director.

FINDING YOUR PATH
Check out some of the different ways churches are connecting online 

MyChurch.org – Although many Christian networking sites have modeled themselves after online community giant MySpace.com, MyChurch.org does it the best. Flawlessly executed and broad-reaching, MyChurch is a great way for a ministry to get its feet wet online.

LifeChurch.tv – LifeChurch is at the forefront of the online movement, having created a complete online campus on its Web site, as well as a rich virtual presence in SecondLife.

MyCCM.com – Perhaps the most visually pleasing and technically sound of the communities, MyCCM has about 7,000 users. The site features a great music player and fairly active message boards.

Oaktreeideas.com – A simple, clean layout gives this site the edge in terms of clarity and usability. It has an exceptional forum, group and prayer request tools, and a really cool “NeedShare” section where members can ask for help and offer it.

YouthRoots.com – This youth-centric site is diverse in terms of features and search functions, but still has some growing to do in terms of membership.

Battlecry.com – This community focuses on “winning back” the hearts and minds of American teens from the grasp of corporate advertising and pop culture, and directing their attention toward Christianity. It has an extended membership option for churches, Battlecry33, where entire ministries are invited to step up and answer the challenge to fight for America’s youth.

Xianz.com – While boasting more than 14,000 members and more features than MyChurch, Xianz doesn’t quite nail the technicalities like MyChurch does, but provides an edgy, hip alternative.

ConnectOurPeople.com – For a fee based on membership, ConnectOurPeople will create a customized social network site for your ministry that allows members to create personal profiles, message others, organize events, access sermons, volunteer, donate and post prayer requests.