10.21.08
Can You Do Small Groups Online?
Today, I was browsing some of the blogs that I read and I landed on Pete Wilson’s blog(http://withoutwax.tv
). Pete is a friend of mine and he is Lead Pastor at Crosspoint Community Church in Nashville. This topic caught my attention because it asked the question, “Can you do church online?” Pete had attended three or four online campuses this past weekend and one online church he visited was Central. There were many comments and several people listed the pros and cons of attending an online church. It was great comments on both sides of the question.
Many of you know that Central has an online campus and I am really pumped to see what God is doing through that ministry. Last weekend, the Small Group Ministry Team held a Leadership Gathering for all of our Small Group Leaders and the topic was “Techno Small Groups.” In January 2009, we are actually launching several online Small Groups equipped with online Small Group Leaders.
Here is the question, “Can you do online Small Groups?” I would love to know what you think! If you say “No”, then please tell us why, and if you answer “yes”, then please explain how you would do it! Thanks for your input! (This is one of the reasons why I love the internet…So I can network with several smart people who are in ministry.) If you are interested in learning more or just curious to try it out go to www.centralonlinecampus.com
centralcouples
Kyle said,
October 21, 2008 at 5:02 am
Hey Tracey
Love your blog and love the question. Before I give my take, let the record show that I love Central and what you guys are doing in Las Vegas. Is that Young Couples Pastor still there, I hear that he is incredible:)
I think to answer your question we have to discuss really what the goal or maybe the definition of the small group you are describing is. I believe you can have “online church” because I think what we as westerners think “church” is is really just a teaching and worship environment. We have come to think of “church” as something that we attend, consume, or a building. All that goes on in the majority of churches on Sunday is the preaching of the word and an worship through music. I (speaking as a consumer) don’t necessarily like to partake of that through the internet, but I see nothing wrong with it. I think what I have issue with is how we as Pastors and Leaders present church to our people, but that’s another discussion.
The NT definition of church encompasses so much more than just the preaching of the word and worship through music and thats is where I think small groups come in. If you are asking your small groups to just provide a connecting point for people or study a book then I think sg’s online can be utilized, however if this is where you are asking people to embody God’s Church then I don’t see how that can happen online.
I see the Bible portraying small groups as a place where real “authentic” community happens. Its a missional body of people living in real relationship with one another. Its an environment that breaks bread together, studies God’s word together, actively lives out their call both individually and corporately together, confesses sin together, exhorts one another, encourages one another, celebrates with one another, mourns with one another, and partakes in communion with one another. I don’t see how that can be done online. I don’t see how that be done by just attending a Sunday worship service. I don’t see how that can be done by going to a class or Sunday school. I only see that happening in small groups.
Would love to hear your thoughts. Miss talking with you brother, keep the blogs coming!
Pete Wilson said,
October 22, 2008 at 1:34 am
Great question Tracey. I’m really wrestling with this question these days. In the past I would have said no. However, over the past several months I have seen first hand the kind of community that can be created online. I think in a perfect world it might be a mixture of both high tech and high touch.
Can’t wait to see what kind of trails you guys blaze on this one! Thanks for thinking out of the box.
Rebecca Hall said,
October 27, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I am the Small Group Coordinator for an urban parish and I am considering this idea now. I want to offer online opportunities for our Lenten small groups. If anyone can offer any advice on how that can be done I would be very greatful.
centralcouples said,
October 28, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Hi Rebecca!
Thanks for jumping into the discussion of online small groups. Here are a few of the online opportunities we have for our Small Groups:
*Facebook Small Group Page (You can sign up for a Facebook account and then have every one join that group. You can see an example at http://www.centralonlinecampus.com and search for Timothy Carvalho and then click on his groups tab.)
*Facebook Connection Group (This is a group setup for an entire small group ministry to connect, share ideas, see training videos, post announcements, serving opportunities, curriculum reviews, ect. and example can be found by logging into Facebook and do a search for a group called Central Christian Church LV Couples Connection)
*Small Group Leaders Blog (Here is an example http://www.centralcouples.wordpress.com)
*Start an online group (If you log onto http://www.centralchristianonlien.com, we are launching small groups that will meet in a specific chat room, with a specific downloadable study, the online small group leader would lead the discussion in the chat room, specific time every week.)
*You can even go on an online mission trip. (For example, we just experienced on this past weekend where we sent people into specific chat rooms and social networks to answer questions about religion)
Although technology is a great, I have to remind myself it is just a tool to accomplish the mission…it is not the mission. I have to continually remind myself …Balance the technology with personal contact. I hope that helps! If you would like to discuss it more, please feel free to contact me by email and we can switch phone #. My email is tracey.smith@centralchristian.com
Many blessings…Keep me posted!
eMinistry Book Review « Out on a Leadership Lim said,
February 23, 2009 at 1:26 am
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