“Oikos is a superior interface than most web apps out there today.”

This according to IT guys at a philanthropic agency that builds web apps for huge non-profit ministries.  We are in collaboration with some guys who are “bridging the gap” between large donors and prospective ministries.  We are not able to release the name of these guys until all the details are worked out.

In our conversation today with these guys we found common purpose and mission.  We want to provide “tools” that the Body of Christ can use to build relationships, collaborate, and make a broader impact on the Christian landscape.  It is nice to hear from seasoned business leaders that your software has enormous value.

This was something our developers enjoyed hearing today.  They have been working for over 9 months to build a web app that’s simple to use for individuals; yet has extraordinary features that big organizations can use as well.  Our hope is that the Church, which is often behind in technology, will grasp soon than later what successful businesses already understand about global internet technology.

Internet technology is the way of the future. 

I read a bumper sticker today that said, “Change is inevitable; growth is optional.”  Pray with us that the Church will learn to embrace change and use it to energize progress and growth.  The future of the next generation of young people will depend upon this.

Whether Oikos, or something like it, is the “tool” for next generational ministries, internet web apps for social networking are extremely popular and here to stay.  They will fast become the norm; rather than the exception to the rule. 

Build something so remarkable that people are able to make “great remarks” about it!

Prayer Pipeline is a new way for people and prayer to "connect." 

Taking full advantage of the internet, we are building PrayerPipeline.net, the most “inclusive” prayer community on the planet.

We believe in the power of prayer in transforming people’s lives.  We also believe in the power of the internet in reaching out and touching the lives of millions of people all over the world.  Now, with so many people integrating their online world with everyday living, we wanted to provide a simple and easy way for people and prayer to “connect.”

But by no means is the Prayer Pipeline supposed to be a direct connection to God.  It’s simply designed as a connection to a “community of praying people.”  Since the beginning, the Church has and will always be a community of people who pray for each other.

For whatever reason, God has chosen us to help transform people lives and our world through prayer.  We are told in scripture that our earnest prayers will have powerful results (James 5:16).

Not only is prayer essential for our everyday health and well-being, it’s an indispensable weapon against strongholds that seek to invade our lives.  The Apostle Paul said, “Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Eph 6:18, MSG).”

The Prayer Pipeline gives ordinary people an extraordinary way to ask for prayer. This interactive prayer community gives people with serious needs a chance to connect with people very serious about prayer.

Anyone anywhere can take full advantage of the Prayer Pipeline. 

If you are lonely with no one to turn to for prayerful support, the Prayer Pipeline is for you.  If you are desperate to break destructive strongholds in your life, prayer ministers will be able to hear your cry and “stand in the gap” for you through intercessory prayer. 

And when your prayers are answered, you can then post the wonderful news for other people to see.  This will bring much hope and inspiration to other people lives.

Another feature of the Prayer Pipeline is its ability to network intercessors and build intercessory coalitions around the world.  Whether it’s necessary to focus on local community needs, an area-wide strategic concern, or nationwide focus, the Prayer Pipeline will send out a “call” for intercessory prayer that people everywhere can hear.

Check out the new Prayer Pipeline at www.prayerpipeline.net

Everyone that sees Oikos is truly amazed. 

Greg and I were talking this morning about what people are saying about Oikos in the community. One of the friends of Greg’s family is Dr. Janet McMullen, associate professor of Radio/TV/Film at the University of North Alabama.  Both families attend church together.

In essence Dr. McMullen sensed great urgency for churches to use this cutting-edge technology to reach and minister to the "millennial generation."

Greg was "pumped" about what Dr. McMullen had to say about Oikos. He said, "I hope there are more people like Dr. McMullen who have a heart for ministry and a vision for new technologies that empower the Body of Christ."

What does Web 2.0 mean for the local church?

An ordinary church web site can be easily transformed into an interactive community.  A virtual neon sign can flash: Open 24/7.  This will attract “seekers” and visitors to a cultural relevant, online community of believers.  This opens the door for dramatic results in Oikos e-vangelism.

Web 2.0 tools can help maximize communications, vital to building of healthy relationships. Communication promotes cooperation, collaboration, and creativity.  Organic, relational networks can be built that strengthen and develop congregations.  Prayer networks can be empowered and enabled to connect in real-time. Trained volunteers can help in pastoral care while they are at home, and small group ministry is easily managed.

Web 2.0 can also help get more people excited and involved in shared ministry.  Ministry leaders can now broadcast a compelling vision for cooperation in building ministry synergism.  Staff can now spend more time in ministry; less in management, saving time and money.  This can help spark communal transformation, resulting in both internal and external growth. 

For the church that is ready to reach out beyond their four walls, Web 2.0 is a powerful tool.  This is where things get really exciting for me.  Church can go where people are; rather than waiting on them to come into the church.  With millions of internet users integrating their online world with everyday living, churches can move far beyond their four walls and into people’s homes, workspaces, and school environments.  New paradigm ministries can be launched, providing effective ways to minister to multitudes of people. 

Web 2.0 is also a great tool for planting new churches and local missions.  An organic, interconnecting network can emerge, strengthening support and leadership development.  Training resources can easily be placed on the web, available for viewing 24/7.  Web 2.0 is great for multi-campus churches, cell-based ministries, house churches, and apostolic networks.

With Web 2.0 technology, ministries can easily connect with good communication and collaboration.  Greater vision and mobilization happen as people build relational synergism, working together for greater purposes realized only through concerted efforts.  Using Web 2.0, area leaders can work together in City-Reaching, impacting the whole city with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As more and more Christians come together on common ground, they will experience the power of unity of purpose – a force of many…moving as one!  With this, ministries can cross the threshold into explosive, biblical dynamics with synergistic results.  This will readily apply to denominational initiatives, parachurch missions, campus ministries, and marketplace outreaches.

Web 2.0 is here, now.  There are several ways to expand a ministry using these new technologies, with more being created every day.  One of my purposes for this blog is to help spread the word that Web 2.0 is a resource worth investigating.

How will Web 2.0 impact the Church?

For the first time in history, the Body of Christ can experience universal connectivity.  Not bound by time, location, or costly expense, Christians all over the world can now get together, talk in real-time, and join forces in advancing the Kingdom of God.  This helps bring evangelization to critical mass all over the planet.

Thousands of ministry leaders are now searching for new ways to utilize the internet for mobilizing coalition forces in worldwide evangelism.  They believe that God is using the internet to change the world and transform people’s lives.
 

In 1997, ministry leaders from churches, denominations, and parachurch organizations gathered together at the Billy Graham Center to discuss ways the internet could be used to stimulate and accelerate worldwide evangelism.  Their passion for evangelism gave birth to the Internet Evangelism Coalition in 1999.

According to Dr. Sterling Huston of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Chairman of the Internet Evangelistic Coalition,

“The rapid growth, broad international reach and economical cost of the Internet offers individuals, churches, and ministries an unprecedented opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide.”

Today, the Internet Evangelism Coalition (IEC) is facilitating the growth of strategic partnerships among Christian organizations now engaged in internet evangelism.  I had a chance to sit in (video via the internet) on one of their recent gatherings in Chicago this past year.  There was a resounding cry for a Web 2.0 tool that’s designed exclusively for Christians to use. 

What are ways Web 2.0 can benefit the Church?

There are a number of ways Web 2.0 can be used by the Body of Christ.  The church now has many new ways to connect, collaborate, and build community – using the internet as a powerful ministry tool.  Ordinary Web 1.0 websites can be transformed into interactive gathering places where people meet and share common interests.
 

The Web 2.0 church website captures attention.

The average attention span of an online user is 10-20 seconds.  Web 2.0 websites are designed to capture a viewers attention in a short amount of time.  The websites are simple, straight to the point, and easy to understand.

The Web 2.0 church website is inviting.

Gone are the days when having a traditional church website was all that was needed to attract new visitors from the internet.  Today, websites must not only look good, they must feel good.  They must look less like a digital brochure, and more like a vibrant community. Web 2.0 websites are welcoming and inclusive.

The Web 2.0 church website offers community.

The recent developments of Web 2.0 can provide organizations with the ability to build their own social network, something I call an online gated community.  These social networks can be customized for personal preferences and needs.  These communities can be both private (with sections for members only), and inclusive (with sections where everyone is invited). 

These benefits throw the door wide open for new and innovative ways for organic transformation – a back-to-basics, natural process for church health and growth.  The Church can now draw closer to people in everyday life. Unlimited possibilities prevail, limited only by imagination!

Universal connectivity (on a local and global scale) is now available.  Christians can now take advantage of cost-effective means, connecting with family, friends, and co-workers at anytime, and anywhere.  This means that for the first time in history, the Body of Christ can connect and collaborate in real-time, worldwide.  Mobilization of local, national, and global forces for evangelism is now possible.  This could easily engage millions of new evangelists and draw in millions of new believers.

Web 2.0 technology may find its way into the history books by having as much impact on the Christian landscape as the invention of the printing press in the 1440s. The printing press released the power of human communications and therefore changed human history, especially the Church. Today, Christians all over the world are fast discovering the power of the internet, which may prove to be a ministry tool that revolutionizes the way we think we think of church for generations to come. 

The impact that Web 2.0 technology will have on Christianity, will largely depend upon visionary leadership and innovative strategies. Web 2.0 is a tool; and like any tool, is only as useful as the craftsman’s skills and talents. As more and more Christians “grab hold” of the power of Web 2.O tools, millions of people will be affected by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Well, this largely depends on who you ask. Some say Web 2.0 is the next generation of web-based services, including online desktop applications, VoIP, and social networking. Others define it in terms of “s-commerce,” using Web 2.0 technology as means to boost e-commerce.  And there are those, like me, who see Web 2.0 as an exciting way to connect people and build healthy relationships.

Web 2.0 technology serves as an emerging platform for building organic, interconnected relationships that serves both the individual and an organization. 

What’s the difference between Web 1.0 and Web 2.0?

The following video is a simple illustration of my point:

How is Web 2.0 impacting the Internet?

The internet is in the midst of a major “paradigm shift” – it traditionally served as a way to gather information; now, it’s growing to become a gathering place for building relationships. Social networking is taking full advantage of Web 2.0 technology. According to a recent marketing report by Compete, Inc:

Growth in online social networking has been explosive…increased 109% since January 2004, while site usage has increased 414%, four times faster than member growth.

A new research report just came in from the Center for the Digital Future at the University of Southern California. Their 2007 Digital Project revealed that:

More and more statistics show that online social networking is here to stay, with dramatic increases continuing for years to come. Here is where the Church can “seize the moment.”