Has FaceBook Killed the Church?

[John Dobbs]

http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2010/03/how-facebook-kille...

Interesting sociological observations. Your thoughts?

[James Nored]

John, sounds interesting. I'm running to lunch right now. I'll read and try to respond when I get back.

[James Nored]

John I read the blog post. It is interesting; however, there is a difference between correlation and causation. I do not think that Faceook is causing people to leave the church. I do not get together less with my friends because of social networking. In fact, I get together more. Gen Y is "leaving the church" for many reasons--they grew up in broken and non-churchgoing homes, the church has had bad publicity, here is a striking lack of transformation amongst Christians, the church is viewed to be outdated (not keeping up with technology), and a whole lot more.

Those are my initial thoughts, anyway. Thanks for sharing this blogspot with us.

[Ed Dodds]

It is important to distinguish "not attending Sunday morning services" from "leaving the church." In Pauline theology, Sunday mornings provided 3 main things: 1) Lord's Meal/Communion (in most cultures for most of church history this was done by small groups of folks, very often along family unit lines -- we call the phenomenon cell churches/homes churches today); 2) mutual edification (with internet-based materials, IM, email, chats, forums, web sites, video archives this function can be fulfilled in other manners--and given mass personalization, probably more effectively from a content standpoint). Weekly giving (direct deposits). These "main things" were to help the Christian go out and "love her|his neighbor as themselves." Folks are just learning that the six 30 minute periods driving around in their autos are counter productive, and not all the green or strategic. Established congregations will complain with quasi-theological red herrings but they are just trying to pay staff and real estate loans with diminishing congregants. Don't wait for them to fess up to their true motivations. What churches need now is to provide effective collaboration and workflow software so that when situations like Haiti or Chile occur, Christians can mobilize at a moments notice--just as they have been doing all along in their own neighborhoods.

James Nored said:

John I read the blog post. It is interesting; however, there is a difference between correlation and causation. I do not think that Faceook is causing people to leave the church. I do not get together less with my friends because of social networking. In fact, I get together more. Gen Y is "leaving the church" for many reasons--they grew up in broken and non-churchgoing homes, the church has had bad publicity, here is a striking lack of transformation amongst Christians, the church is viewed to be outdated (not keeping up with technology), and a whole lot more.

Those are my initial thoughts, anyway. Thanks for sharing this blogspot with us.

[John Dobbs]

Ed, your statement that congregations are just trying to pay staff and real estate loans is, in my experience, untrue. Is it true somewhere? Probably. Do they work in tandem with other goals and works? Yes. But I hope that our spiritual leaders are not simply getting things done financially. I have not witnessed that. Maybe I'm blessed.

[John Dobbs]

James, I think the 'causation' is a weak link in the post ... but it does reveal the cultural shift (demonstrated in the video you posted) . I don't think FaceBook can kill the church, but I think it has potential to expand the contact that Christians have into more of that every day experience that the early church enjoyed in their village.

[James Nored]

Trey, you say that churches have not kept up with how Millennials practice their faith. I would agree. Hierarchies find it difficult to keep up with movements, and the Internet--which Millennials grew up on--is by nature non-hierarchical, as anyone can contribute, start discussions, etc. Leadership is even more about competency, technical skill, and most especially, trust and authenticity.

I am interested in you explaining more the thought that Millennials are not anti-institutional. This goes contrary to popular wisdom, so I would like to hear you on this.

Trey Finley said:

I'd respond to Ed's comment with a slight amendment--large institutional debt combined with high overhead costs of big buildings ties up money that can be used in better places. The fundamental principle of success (however your organization defines it) in the 21st Century is speed of change. The ability to be quick yet collaborative is foundational to positive change. Millennials aren't anti-religious or anti-church, and certainly not anti-spiritual. Their way of practicing their faith has moved faster than churches with institutional responsibilities are capable of moving.

Facebook is simply an extension of that speed of relational change. Church--ekklesia--is by definition community. Are we quick enough as a faith, a denomination, a church, a small group, capable of moving quickly enough to redeem these communal spaces where people of all generations are gathering?