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I downloaded a browser and had something of an epiphany.
Flock is a browser whose sole purpose, it seems, is to keep the user updated with his or her various web2.0 social networks (facebook, flickr, twitter, etc.) I’ll admit, it’s daunting to see a constantly updating stream of human interaction on the left sidebar of my browser. I’m beginning to realize that, at 29 years old, I am on the trailing edge of technological innovation and am far less a native to social networking than kids still in high school. So it took this browser to wake me up to a big turn in the way people communicate: meet-ups can organize in literally hours or less through a network of computers and mobile devices, people can broadcast up-to-the-moment updates of their thoughts, feelings and happenings to friends and total strangers alike, and reactions to these individual and communal happenings can be executed and observed in real time.
Some examples I’ve seen of how this works in real life:
From GodGirl:
A week ago, when I signed on to my Facebook account and saw that Mark’s best friend had written “I’m sad that Mark died in Iraq today” as his “update” message, I hoped it was a joke. Mark and his best friends — two guys named Dave who were his college-mates and, more recently, his neighbors in Laguna Beach, Calif. — have a wicked sense of humor.
When the other Dave sent me an e-mail saying “it’s no joke,” my heart gained 50 pounds and sank in my chest, where it remains, a painful boulder.
How was it possible that one of the most alive people I’ve ever known was gone?
From a friend’s facebook status update:
just wrecked my car and i’m quite tired and sore.
From a friend of a friend who was recently working on a prayer labryinth:
Labyrinth tonight. Come help me move rocks.
Then there are other stories of friends and peers who have recently lit up my phone with text messages requesting prayer, sending blessings, or sharing news.
The question I’ve been pondering is, with the rise of this kind of instant relational networking, how long can church communities keep leaning on routine weekly gatherings that people have attended for centuries out of a sense of duty or habit? While there is certainly still a place for regularly scheduled programming, it’s simply not how emerging culture seems to be working: we watch TV on demand via TiVo or streaming internet feeds, we listen to customized music playlists instead of pre-programmed CD’s, we arrange gatherings via social networking websites and text messaging instead of by the regularity of the weekly calendar. Where’s the balance going to strike (and when)? And in what way does a community lose out by ignoring this trend (or not)?
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Tags: web2.0, networking, gatherings
This morning was the Hoover Elementary Renewal Project, and it was a perfect day with great turnout. I’m tired and may tend toward embellishment, but to the best of my recollection here’s how the Hoover project went:
- We expected around 40 volunteers and received over 80.
- Parents, students, teachers and administrators worked alongside members of our faith community to clean, garden and beautify the Hoover Elementary campus.
- Flowers and plants were planted, benches were painted, walls were pressure-washed, faded playground paint stripes were re-painted, garbage was picked up, the play structure was washed, weeds were pulled and abated, and people had a great time.
- This is what the kingdom of God looks like.
- We’re coming back for more!
My friend just bought a used car in great condition, finally replacing his relic of the heady ’90’s, a Nissan Pathfinder, with a much more sensible sedan. When he was shopping, he and I had a chat about the possibility of his purchasing a hybrid vehicle. This led to some conversation about how a green-minded individual might express himself in the midst of a midlife crisis (I say himself, although I’m sure there are a few ladies who experience this phenomenon). So here, for all those energy-conscious folks approaching the top of the proverbial hill, are a few ways to navigate a greener midlife crisis:
- Put a spoiler on the Prius
- Take public transportation to wander around the harley davidson store
- Convert junk mail to .pdf and transmit it all electronically to the postmaster general
- Watch yoga videos on youtube instead of driving to a class
- Skip the chemicals and photoshop that bald spot or gray hair into oblivion
Can you think of any others?
I’m joining my faith community in being God’s planting at Hoover Elementary School in Emeryville/W. Oakland this Saturday, April 5 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Everybody’s invited to love on the school in the Way of Jesus, through garbage pick-up, pressure washing, bubble gum scraping, painting and planting… and praying, always praying.
E-Mail me at john(at)sequoyahcommunity, or join up at the Facebook Event Page.
