The Next Big Thing
I found this new item today, and wanted to share it with you. There are several churches out there that see building technology as a legitimate ministry to the body of Christ. Mars Hill Church in Seattle is one such church. Two years ago, they decided to take their online presence one step further by developing and launching their own internal social network. Not a public social network with a Christian theme. Not another Facebook group. But an actual php-based web application designed to connect and inform their congregation. Incredible!
They just announced this month that Zondervan - a large Christian publishing conglomerate - has purchased the system for $4 million. They hope to make a commercial product out of it soon.
This kind of innovation is amazing! Any youth pastor with an email address can set up a Myspace page to feel cool. Or use some funky graphic style in their bulletin to feel like they are connecting with young people. But projects like this actually create something new! Rather than being content to use existing (and commonplace) means of getting information to their congregation, they tried something innovative. Imagine it for a moment: wouldn’t it be cool to get your customized announcements via a social network that knows what small groups you are in, where you live in town, and what your spiritual gifts are? Amazing.
Anyway, I thought I would share this with you guys. It’s projects like this that I believe elevate churches above the rest. And I love that fact that our team pursues bleeding-edge ideas like this. Who knows? Maybe in the next few years, churches everywhere will be…
… adapting open-source web sites connected to free video distribution tools
… constructing low-cost camera cranes from on-site materials
… doing message illustrations with $100 multitouch boards
… running tent revival worship services using spirit-led worship software
The body of Christ needs big ideas like this. And my hat is off to TEAM CCF for its willingness to try things that are outside the (technology) box.
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Welcome to Team CCF
My name is Adam, and I am the lead coordinator of Campus Christian Fellowship. This blog is devoted to showing the ins and outs of campus ministry - what we do, what new projects we take on, and why we do what we do.
Feel free to contact me at teamccf@gmail.com,
or call me at (208) 310-1682.
Even though I volunteer at church on a regular basis, everything written here is simply my opinion, and may not reflect the views or policies of Living Faith Fellowship.