Mars Hill Sells "The City" To Zondervan
Check it out. Soon enough, "The City" a social networking site built by and for Mars Hill Church will be available to churches worldwide to increase relationship building inside the church. While I think this is fantastic, I am interested to see what comes of it in the future.
I am not sure churches are utilizing already available social networks like they could be so that their members and attenders stay plugged into the world outside of the church. How much more will it close the doors to create a social network that is just for those inside the church.
I am encouraged that the church is working itself into the mix of the online community, but there is no reason to wait for Zondervan or anyone else to give us a platform to do it. Social networks are already established and my guess is that if you are reading this, you belong to at least one. Why wait for another one to show up to begin redeeming this technology for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Labels: Gospel of Christ, Social Networks, The City, Zondervan
posted by Colt Melrose at
4:41 PM
4 Comments:
Yeah Colt, I agree...Facebook is my network of choice. Our church has created quite the network within those confines. Anyway, hope to see you again soon my friend.
You are right Colt.
One thing that "worries" me about having a segregated online social networking sites, just reinforces Christians to stop interacting with the world.
I think the social networking sites out there like Facebook are perfect ways to interact with the Church Body (With the development of groups, events etc.) also, it can be a tool to show that us Christians can be "in the world" but not "of the world". Sometimes, unchristians are turned off by Christians because we always want to interact with them "at church" and all we need is another "Hey why don' you check out our "CHRISTIAN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE" to know more about Christianity.
Didn't Jesus say that the gates of Hell will not be able to hold the Church back?
Are not the Christians are supposed to be engaging the world?
[End Rant]
Hey Colt,
I don't know you but found your blog while looking up the announcement of Zondervan buying "The City". I am members of both Facebook and of The City and am a member at Mars Hill West Seattle.
Not sure if you know this or not but The City is actually available to all people not just members. You just have e-mail the church to ask someone to invite you and you are welcome to join. Once in the city, there are some things that are accessible to both member and non members... and then there are things that are only open for those who are members to respect their privacy and build a more intimate community.
Hey Colt!
Have you checked out this link? http://www.onthecity.org/
And if you go to their website it says a lot more about why they needed to use this instead of Facebook. They have 7 different locations, they do membership through "The City", they have a safe way of advertising jobs, goods and services.
It seems like little churches could still get away with calling everyone or sending out a mass email but for churches that are "Breaking the Missional Code" this seems like a pretty sweet site!
Thanks for bringing this up! I want my church to check it out when it's available.
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