Web 2.0 – New Revolution in Church Growth, Part 3
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.
