In our last reading we learned that blogs are for those preachers who never shut up and we also know that Myspace is best for that social butterfly who wont stop bugging you, but what good are forums? On eministrynotes.com I have been discussing the different use of social networking sites, and one person was pondering about the future of forums and spirituality. In my personal opinion, discussion boards are the heartbeat of the evolved church. Not because it is the centerpiece or is vital, but it can pump blood/passion through the conversations that emerge in it.

This is the role that forums will have in the future: the central location for open-ended discussion about specific ministries, theological questions, and spiritual disciplines. Unlike blogs where one individual creates the conversation, message boards are open to any user. Any member of the church or any participant in a specific ministry, whether it be Bible Study, Men's Fellowship, Children's Ministry, or the Leadership Team, can add a new topic. This is only the tip of the iceberg.

In real conversations the topic and subject are over once the two individuals separate from one another, and in start a conversation a person must be next to another human being. These rules do not apply on the cyberworld. If you thought of an additional response or idea after a meeting was over, just head over to the boards and post a new topic. If the boards stay active and they are actually used then someone will have a reply when you return. On the other hand, the best Bible Studies can come straight out of the conversation that is occuring right in the forum. There can be sections just for specific Bible Study groups, Smallgroups, and Sunday school classes. Did something apply during the week that was discussed on Sunday? Go ahead and jump right on in...

Tags: forums, evolving church, bible study, ministries

Powered by Qumana