Internet tracking firm reported this week (see CNN story here)
that MySpace surpassed both Yahoo's Mail and Google's Search, making it
the number site in America. Beyond reports of pedophilia scares or
concerns about how easy it is to become someone else online, there's
something more base going on here.
With 75 million users (up from 40 million in November 2005) MySpace users appear to want to connect. True, users can create any image they want. True, "already known" celebs use MySpace to encourage fan support and involvement. True, perps have found an environment to hurt and harm. However, 75 million is 75 million and something more is going on.
For many there's a concern that cyber-talk is replacing face-to-face talk - relationship. But, something more is going on.
- People are finding each other and getting married from the internet.
- People are creating bonds that take them across the country to support and care for each other (I knew a man who traveled to PA to support an online friend whose father had died).
- Students are staying in touch beyond the school year.
Something more is going on. People need people.
People want to belong.
- What is your church doing to help people find each other?
- In what ways are you speaking into the God-designed relational needs people have?
- How are you attracting people to the hope of Christ through your ministry by intentionally programming services and messages that help people address this longing?
Try this...
- Check out wiredchurches.com to review relational series from Granger Community Church
- Read John Burke's No Perfect People Allowed: Creating a Come as You Are Culture in the Church
