Church 4.0 -- How Technology has changed the church!
One of the workshops I attended while at the General Assembly was entitled "Church 2.0: Understanding New Media." I attended the session, which featured Will Boyd, proprietor of a media consulting firm for churches called 3 Story Church. I went to the session in part because I'm involved in new media -- blog, facebook, etc., and because I've been asked to do something similar at an upcoming regional educational event. I thought it would be helpful to get some ideas ahead of time!
The featured presenter was Will Boyd, who made it clear that there is no such thing as a "social media expert," the media is too new for experts to have arisen. He's also the husband of a Disciples pastor. He talked a lot about the various forms of social media, how they might impact the church, and how we might make use of them (in a rather short amount of time). The title of the session was "Church 2.0," which borrows from the principle of Web 2.0. Web 2.0 marks a progression from Web 1.0, which focused on publication of information. In Web 2.0, the focus is on participation. It is bi-directional, rather than uni-directional.
What is true of the web is also true of the church -- the modern church, if it is to connect with upcoming generations must move from information publication, to interaction and participation. It's all about relationships -- whether personal or cyber!
So, what about Church 4.0?
I found this part very interesting. Will talked about how technology has changed/transformed the church over the centuries. So, for instance, Church 1.0 would be the pre-printing press era, back when monks copied biblical manuscripts and texts, which meant that the people were dependent on priests and monks to dispense information about God and Jesus, etc.
Church 2.0 was marked by the invention of the printing press, which allowed the people to have their own bibles and theology texts. It allowed for more participation, and reformation.
What is Church 3.0, you ask? Why it's the automobile. Yes, without the automobile there wouldn't be mega-churches. We would still be attending those neighborhood churches. Look around urban areas, and you'll see grand churches with little or no parking. How did those churches get all the people there? Well, on public transportation or by walking. Now, the big suburban churches have more acreage in parking lots, than anything else! Church 3.0 is also marked by the possibility of Church Shopping! If you can drive, you have more choices! And with choices, churches must compete or die.
Now, to the present and the future -- Church 4.0. The next technologically driven era of the church will be driven by Social Media -- like Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and more. Interestingly it will be more focused on community -- more participative, even if much of that community is found on-line rather than face to face. Indeed, he talked about technology that allows for 3-D conversations through the use of Avatars. Someone asked if we could have virtual board meetings. He said, yes we can, though we must be careful about what the avatars bring to the meetings! Just as social media is a platform for communication, so is the church site. The church must wrestle with its purpose, which is to connect people with God and with other people. In this new age, people don't have to go to church in order to accomplish this goal. People are still interested in spirituality, in theology, in faith, but they may not find the church as an institution the right platform for this conversation. So, as the church, how will we respond? How will we be transformed?
In many ways, the church is the original social network. It has from beginning been a place where relationships are formed -- both horizontally and vertically. Technology may be changing the way we engage this purpose.
It was a fascinating presentation -- but for many it could be a frightening one, because it signals a massive change on the way. Will we respond effectively or not? That is the question!
The featured presenter was Will Boyd, who made it clear that there is no such thing as a "social media expert," the media is too new for experts to have arisen. He's also the husband of a Disciples pastor. He talked a lot about the various forms of social media, how they might impact the church, and how we might make use of them (in a rather short amount of time). The title of the session was "Church 2.0," which borrows from the principle of Web 2.0. Web 2.0 marks a progression from Web 1.0, which focused on publication of information. In Web 2.0, the focus is on participation. It is bi-directional, rather than uni-directional.
What is true of the web is also true of the church -- the modern church, if it is to connect with upcoming generations must move from information publication, to interaction and participation. It's all about relationships -- whether personal or cyber!
So, what about Church 4.0?
I found this part very interesting. Will talked about how technology has changed/transformed the church over the centuries. So, for instance, Church 1.0 would be the pre-printing press era, back when monks copied biblical manuscripts and texts, which meant that the people were dependent on priests and monks to dispense information about God and Jesus, etc.
Church 2.0 was marked by the invention of the printing press, which allowed the people to have their own bibles and theology texts. It allowed for more participation, and reformation.
What is Church 3.0, you ask? Why it's the automobile. Yes, without the automobile there wouldn't be mega-churches. We would still be attending those neighborhood churches. Look around urban areas, and you'll see grand churches with little or no parking. How did those churches get all the people there? Well, on public transportation or by walking. Now, the big suburban churches have more acreage in parking lots, than anything else! Church 3.0 is also marked by the possibility of Church Shopping! If you can drive, you have more choices! And with choices, churches must compete or die.
Now, to the present and the future -- Church 4.0. The next technologically driven era of the church will be driven by Social Media -- like Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and more. Interestingly it will be more focused on community -- more participative, even if much of that community is found on-line rather than face to face. Indeed, he talked about technology that allows for 3-D conversations through the use of Avatars. Someone asked if we could have virtual board meetings. He said, yes we can, though we must be careful about what the avatars bring to the meetings! Just as social media is a platform for communication, so is the church site. The church must wrestle with its purpose, which is to connect people with God and with other people. In this new age, people don't have to go to church in order to accomplish this goal. People are still interested in spirituality, in theology, in faith, but they may not find the church as an institution the right platform for this conversation. So, as the church, how will we respond? How will we be transformed?
In many ways, the church is the original social network. It has from beginning been a place where relationships are formed -- both horizontally and vertically. Technology may be changing the way we engage this purpose.
It was a fascinating presentation -- but for many it could be a frightening one, because it signals a massive change on the way. Will we respond effectively or not? That is the question!
Comments
Exciting and interesting stuff!
However, when I envision virtual board meetings, the reality of aging and non-technically oriented boards comes crashing in. Some of our congregational leaders do not use e-mail.
I like where we are going, but I think it may be a longer road than many of us would like it to be:).
Appreciate your thoughts.
John
Welcome! I do believe that we're in a transitional phase. We may not be ready for virtual board meetings yet, but the time will come, probably sooner than we think. There are several older members of my church on Facebook, and 90% of the recipients of our newsletter receive it via e-mail. So, perhaps in the next 10 years we'll likely be moving in that direction. And 10 years will go faster than we think (of course in saying that I'm realizing that would put me into my 60's). I'll enjoy the current decade in the meantime!
It was refreshing to hear your notes on that subject. Currently my wife and I are in the process of launching a new church in Chico, CA targeting young adults.
It's fascinating how the young adult generation is responding to these more modern mediums and interactivity that we are using.
Pastor Nick Guerard
The Wake Church