Monday, July 30, 2012

The (real) Social Network: The Power of Community


No doubt Social Networking has changed the world.  It has helped to bring down governments (remember the Arab Spring?), streamlined the distribution of important information (ever gotten message about breaking news or a coming storm?), reunited us with old friends (ever friended a high school flame?), and given us something else to amuse us (watched a cat video lately?).  Worldwide over 750 million people are on Facebook.  Twitter is not far behind with 500 million users.  We can communicate more information, to more people, over a broader distance, in a shorter time, than ever before.  We can catch up with old friends, make new friends, and keep them up on what we are doing.

But it forces us to ask the question: we may be more connected, but are building authentic, lasting community?  What is life was more than a status update, a 140 character Tweet, an Instagram photo, or an e-mail?  What if it were more than a simple interface on a screen in the palm of our hands?

Don’t get me wrong, I use all of these forms of communication--sometimes several times a day.  I am glad that we can stay in touch with so many people in such an easy manner.  But I hope that it doesn’t remain there.  Authentic and lasting community takes more that these types of interactions.  How do we move that direction?

Beginning August 19, we will take a look at the power of authentic community with a three-week series in The Gathering.  Be present each week for these times of teaching and study.  And oh, while you’re at it, feel free to follow me: I’m on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rob.haynes, Twitter: @rob_haynes, and Instagram: rob_haynes.    =:-)

Monday, July 30, 2012

The (real) Social Network: The Power of Community


No doubt Social Networking has changed the world.  It has helped to bring down governments (remember the Arab Spring?), streamlined the distribution of important information (ever gotten message about breaking news or a coming storm?), reunited us with old friends (ever friended a high school flame?), and given us something else to amuse us (watched a cat video lately?).  Worldwide over 750 million people are on Facebook.  Twitter is not far behind with 500 million users.  We can communicate more information, to more people, over a broader distance, in a shorter time, than ever before.  We can catch up with old friends, make new friends, and keep them up on what we are doing.

But it forces us to ask the question: we may be more connected, but are building authentic, lasting community?  What is life was more than a status update, a 140 character Tweet, an Instagram photo, or an e-mail?  What if it were more than a simple interface on a screen in the palm of our hands?

Don’t get me wrong, I use all of these forms of communication--sometimes several times a day.  I am glad that we can stay in touch with so many people in such an easy manner.  But I hope that it doesn’t remain there.  Authentic and lasting community takes more that these types of interactions.  How do we move that direction?

Beginning August 19, we will take a look at the power of authentic community with a three-week series in The Gathering.  Be present each week for these times of teaching and study.  And oh, while you’re at it, feel free to follow me: I’m on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rob.haynes, Twitter: @rob_haynes, and Instagram: rob_haynes.    =:-)