Guide shares story of congregations embracing Web 2.0 technologies
I have to be honest, when a friend of mine directed me to The Networked Congregation: Embracing the Spirit of Experimentation, I was very skeptical. I still am. To be fair, after quickly scanning the introduction, I do believe it’s worth investigating further, and I will in the near future.
According to the author, The Networked Congregation is intended to help churches navigate the ever changing climate of emerging Web 2.0 technologies.
“This booklet is meant to be a guidebook: a short introduction to the digital world of Web 2.0 technologies and a friendly, informed voice to help you navigate its challenges, promises, and pitfalls. As you will see, there is no quick answer: Social technologies are neither all bad nor all good, and deciding which fit your own congregation will necessarily be a process of trial and error.”
For years, I have seen numerous books and guides pass my desk making grand declarations. I’m usually disappointed. The reason for my initial skepticism came as a result of the author’s credentials. Andrea Useem is a highly credentialed reporter, not a practitioner. She’s not writing from experience, but sharing what she learned from the practitioners. When I see “resource guide,” it’s my expectation that it is written from the perspective of someone with working experience. I am willing to overlook and did deeper. To the author’s credit, she has certainly included the voices of many who are breaking new ground. I am also looking forward to hearing perspectives of those who pioneered faith-based web exploration. I will be open-minded when reading, I promise. Look for my review in the near future.
hi matt, thanks for the write-up and, of course, for the skepticism. i wish i had been able to speak with you while researching the guide book. in any case, looking forward to your thoughts.