What is emerging Web 2.0 & can your church use it?

Part III 

This Web 2.0 series was designed to take some of the mystery out of the concept of the new Web.  Although there is an abundance of information all over the Internet about the newest generation of tech, there are far fewer resources that focus specifically on the church and it's current relationship with Web 2.0.  New technologies, by their very nature can be intimidating.  And pastors, often busy shepherding their congregations, have little time to pursue the time-consuming work of learning about the next, new, online advancement or tool.

Since church denominations, churches and their leaders are often noted for being particularly out of step with their surrounding culture, it can take some moxy to embrace some of the newer technologies.  Not every church needs a MySpace nor will every pastor put up a blog.  However, resisting online applications won't help the church seize the day as the next generation of children becomes the first to be raised in an entirely technological society.  We can be in the world and not of it.  In fact, we should.

Because the newest wave of truly interactive media is still in it's infancy, there are scare resources available to encourage the church in it's education of Web 2.0 options.   It seems this concluding post wouldn't be complete without providing a reference to the well-read Church Marketing Sucks site (if you trip over their name, they've succeeded).  Their Web 2.0 series, published over the course of this last year, is specifically tailored with church usage in mind. If the buzzwords of the new media technologies overwhelm you, this site is one I'd like to submit as a balanced, informative, readable, lay-oriented option for both church leaders and congregations who want to explore the evolving Web.  

There is also an expected backlash (rejection of technology) demonstrated as the pendulum swings significantly during this time of rapid technological change.  Criticisms of online means of communication and their inherent risks are abundant.  In terms of prompting thought and critical thinking for Christians, I can recommend the publications by Quentin Schultze.  Both scholarly and yet readable, his wise, usually challenging evaluations about technology always make me think.