This is the third and final glimpse into the effects of technology on our society.  Many are quick to state that technology is leading to greater isolation, and this may be somewhat true.  However, there is also an emerging sense of community birthing itself via social networking sites.  This “new” form of relationship building can be very dynamic and participatory as we can begin to see from the article, Finding a Mentor via Online Social Communities.

Synopsis

This article is about the power of social networking sites such as http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk.  Sites like hoursemouth.co.uk form so that online mentoring can occur.  This trend is occurring as traditional locations of mentoring like churches, or unions are loosing there societal significance.  The internet transcends geographical barriers and people are forming online communities of interests.  Online social sites are inviting because they recognize value in people and their life skills and experience.  Such sites also offer a place to connect and give back to society as a whole, when such opportunity is lacking in most local communities.  You can find this broad trend in many industries such as the music industry and marketing, as well as social services such as counseling. 

Missiological Analysis

The implications of using the internet to create such communities of interest could be foundational for the twenty-first century church.  Intentionally developing such communities around missional practice could help deconstruct individualism, isolation, and professionalism in our society and the modern church, and empower a lifestyle of mission.  Communities of missional practice could become key strategy for sharing, enhancing and developing knowledge and expertise for ministry.  These communities encourage ministry practice that is innovative, informed by multiple views, and owned on the local level.  This community of practice structure moves the modern church away from a denominational model to a model that helps individuals discover and fulfill their God-given mission.  This structure allows the church to shift from growing the institution, to growing the participation of individuals in ministry in the world.  It allows individuals an opportunity to deconstruct walls between those that are professional ministers and those that are lay Christians by building a space for common ministry engagement that values giftedness and a holistic understanding of what it means to be a Christian. 

Anonymous. “Finding a Mentor via Online Social Communities,”  Reuters, February 23, 2008, http://www.news.com/Finding-a-mentor-via-online-social-communities/2100-1038_3-6231721.html