It's been a while!

Here is something I found today that I thought I'd share:

Scott Williams, thebigisthenewsmall.com:

I’m currently in Memphis, Tennessee leading a Micro-Conference for Executive Ministry Leaders.  There are some amazing leaders here, with some very sharp minds.  I love the fact that anytime I go to speak somewhere, I’m always challenged and always learn.

Last night over dinner there was a nice spirited debate over video teaching and then it moved to the fact that an Internet church or Church Online Service or Experience is not real community.  I emphatically disagreed and we debated on and on and back and forth.  It was a great discussion and I’m the kinda guy that says, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”  I invited them to check out LifeChurch.tv church On-line.

In the past I have always made the below 9 Points About Why On-line Relationships are Real and I would think these same points apply to on-line church.  Especially if the on-line church is set up in the manner that LifeChurch.tv Church Online is set up.  There is a dedication to that community that is very similar to a physical campus and the relationships and life change is real.

9 Reasons Online Community and Relationships are Real

• 1. When someone visits/comments on your Blog, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc., that interaction is as meaningful as you interacting with someone at your office, the coffee shop, the gym…
• 2. People are sometimes more authentic and vulnerable in Social Media than in person.  Sometimes you will be sitting right next to someone and not even know that they’re having a bad day.  On the other hand, that same person is blogging and twittering about the bad day they’re having.
• 3. It’s easier to connect with people of similar interests in an online environment than in a offline environment.  Everyone is one click or one search away.
• 4. A person has the ability to overcome interpersonal struggles, as they can be an online extrovert, even though they may be an offline introvert.
• 5. You can evaluate individuals daily interaction, lifestream, thoughts, dreams, perceptions, struggles etc. through Social Media in a short amount of time.  It may take twice as much time to capture the same information In Person.
• 6. Candor is acceptable and encouraged in the Social Media world and that is not always the case In Person.
• 7. It’s much easier to overcome demographic barriers in the Social Media World.
• 8. Online Relationships are more convenient, which is a huge benefit in our fast-paced microwave world.
• 9. You can positively impact the lives of others daily through Social Media without ever knowing you had an impact.  Your posts, tweets, comments, blogs, chats and overall online presence truly make a difference in the lives of others.