Although it's invitation-only and sold out, I'm paying close attention to the predications that will be made as a result of this conference. San Francisco will play host to this third annual gathering in about three weeks.
According to the website, the event will focus on emerging business and technology developments that utilize the Web as a platform and will explore and define how the Web will drive business in the future. Now that the Web has become a robust landscape with countless innovations pushing its ongoing development; widespread disruptions in traditional business models are well underway. It has been noted, however, that within the chaos of disruption lie the seeds of opportunity.
Besides a ton of other speakers at the Palace Hotel, just think about hearing what these three predict:
- John Battelle – author of "The Search: How Google and Its Rivals Rewrote the Rules of Business and Transformed Our Culture"
- Marc Benioff – Sillicon Valley Visionary & preeminent thinker in information technology
- Jeffrey P. Bezos – Princeton University graduate who founded Amazon.com
In my view, churches, both leadership and laity, have the opportunity to be keenly aware of (and experiment with) Web 2.0 applications. These are the software ideas that are morphing out of "traditional" Internet use and have incredible implications for the future of not only the church but all social institutions. Maybe this will prompt our thinking…..If you happen to be part of a church congregation with one local building/meeting place/gathering location…..consider yourselves instantly part of a multi-located congregation. More than one that is, if you consider the Internet a free, available and ready made spot for birthing a second piece of "church property".
Although Web 2.0 ideas might see a bit intimidating for non-techies (like me) why not give ourselves to investigating and exploring these embryonic technologies in their infancy? Ever heard the football (soccer) phrase 'first to the ball gets it'? Christians have an unparalleled opportunities with Web 2.0 technologies for everything from new forms of media-driven worship to online evangelism.
What are the long-term ramifications of Web 2.0 applications? Well, frankly, who knows? But just because nobody is sure yet, doesn't mean we shouldn't be there. And, what we can already say for certain is that the church, along with all other social institutions, is about to change.
This is an event I am watching too. Thanks for the Gmail setup.
Skype me please!
Cynthia,
Thanks for spotlighting Web 2.0.
Lee
Hi Cynthia, do you have any predictions/examples of how these are being used in ways that would be transferable/applicable to church – i guess i’m interested but not quite seeing the wood from the trees on this one, some e.g.’s i could almost taste/smell/see would be great? (or indeed anyone else…)
Paul,
Your question prompted me to realize – it might be helpful to post a whole series on Web 2.0 and church applications. Thanks for the idea.
For now, let me give a couple of examples. The first is to mention how some innovative churches are putting up their own MySpace sites. Rather than viewing MySpace as the devil’s playground, they choose to utilize the opportunity to set up a MySpace that represents their congregation, basically an advertising site – except like many Web 2.0 applications (including blogging) it’s interactive! Wow! What a great idea….yeah I know.
Another example would be the use of wikipedia. Most likely you use wikipedia regularly to get information….But remember, it’s interactive (the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit) so I simply went to my church denomination’s entry page and edited my church into the main page so that anyone visiting wikipedia sees it. Simple, free and took me less than 60 seconds to advertise my church to…well, basically the whole world.
Maybe I should provide more education about the evolving technologies here. Let me know.
Hopes this helps you see the wood on the trees.
Cynthia
You edited wiki to give your church denom top billing… lol that is so funny/cool/scary…
The devil has a play ground now as well, why does he have all the fun
Really I think you should educate us, I definately want to learn from you in this whole arena so thank you so much for putting it out there…