We’ve truly got something, that for the first time in history, can position the Church ahead-of-the-curve in current technology.  If I sound a little "pumped;" well, I am.  It’s very exciting; especially for a young company that recently "stepped up to the plate," ready to hit the ball out of the park.

After a year in development, we finally did it!  We’ve built web-based software that’s already impacting our entire local community.  It’s bringing people together.

Everyone that sees our Oikos Community Console is truly amazed.  It’s image-driven, easy to use, and packed with Web 2.0 technology.  Young people are immediately drawn to it.  They see it as a safe alternative to MySpace.

Pastors are thrilled with Oikos.  It gives them modern ways to keep people, especially youth and young adults, engaged in community-building.  With the extreme popularity of online social networking, Oikos is a natural fit, and it’s safe; something other online communities can’t boost.

I believe it will take a little time for church leaders to really catch the vision of Oikos; after all, there’s nothing like it out there in cyberspace.  Most people in the Church world have never seen anything like this.

But for those ministry leaders with "vision," Oikos is a powerful and revolutionary ministry tool.  These innovative thinkers are no strangers to current trends in technology.  They are not afraid to "stretch their understanding" of internet technology and how it can be used to advance the Kingdom of God.

The internet is the tool for next generation ministry.  If we want to reach the next generation for Christ, we must go where they are and will be for years to come.  I read a research report that asked young people this question, "If you had to give up two of three items: your television, cell phone, or computer.  Which one would you likely keep?" 

The majority said, "Their computer!"  Somehow, I don’t find this very surprising.  Right now, you can watch television programs and movies on your computer.  Internet phone is becoming very popular.  Computers are a major part of young people’s life.  And if the truth be known, a lot of adults could not function without their computers, either.

My hope is that the 21st Century Church will "seize the moment" and grab hold of the power of the internet in reaching this next generation for Christ.