Month: June 2008

ROOV.com :: because we all need more social networks

I have enough social networks that I ignore now – do I really need another one? Well…. maybe, maybe not.

I saw something about Roov.com a week or so ago but kinda bypassed it – thinking “great another Christian MySpace and Facebook.”

But Lee shared a post about Roov and I’m definitely more intrigued. Seems that Roov is more about building off-line communities than online communities.

Here’s a couple explanation videos:


What is ROOV.com? from ROOV.com on Vimeo.


ROOV.com Stories from ROOV.com on Vimeo.

Here’s what others are saying about it:

CatalystRoadTrip:

It’s a social networking site that works locally. It connects people in the same geographical area based on interests AND it gets people off the computer and into each others’ FACE – as they hang-out and do fun stuff together. As social networking gains popularity, a few people have questioned whether this phenomenon is actually making us more isolated. I mean, we may have 300 friends now, but very, very little depth, and less human interaction. ROOV is a welcome remedy to that, using the internet to help you meet & connect in real life – facilitating conversations and experiences that have real depth and meaning.

Urbanministry.org:

ROOV.com is a new way to meet others in your church and community, and to organize gatherings around causes you care about.

Jeff Goins:

I just joined ROOV.com, a new website to connect the Body of Christ. Why? Well, it sure wasn’t because I needed to be a part of another social networking site. No, in fact, it’s because ROOV is like the antithesis of what social networking sites represent these days – narcissism. Unlike facebook or myspace (which aren’t bad – I use both), ROOV doesn’t center around an individual’s profile. In fact, profiles don’t even exist. They center around groups and issues that matter, like “orphans and refugees” or “Impact Africa,” for example. I don’t think you’ll find any “I lost my digits” groups on this site – at least, I hope not.

Their goal is to connect people online so that they can connect offline. As someone who spends over 10 hours a day on the internet (that’s probably a conservative figure), this is something I need to do – unplug, detach, and really connect with flesh and blood.

I’m excited to find out more. Apparently you need to be involved in a local church body though – and encounter isn’t on the list yet – but hopefully I’ll get confirmation in the next day or so (or 5 min would be preferred) and I can explore the site for myself.

The site is also apparently limited to the US for now, and limited to the cities participating as well.

Are there ways that you are building off-line communities with the current “social networking standards” like MySpace and Facebook? Are there ways we can better utilize those tools?

btw – just got an email from Roov – they’re “reviewing the church you submitted. We’ll be getting back to you shortly.”

something beautiful :: 1.3

Just a quick plug for the podcast.
Episode 1.3 went live last night. I spoke with Dave McHam who’s heading up an after school ministry in Waco and has plans/vision to bring a similar ministry to Waxahachie.
I also flew solo this week, so Thomas’ Scottish charm will be noticeably missing – but if you choose to listen, we’ll tell you how you can win Shawn McDonald’s new CD, “Roots.”
So tune in and check it out.

Thoughts for today

a. what does it really mean to “meditate on Scripture”?
b. do we really pray with hope?
c. Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Matthew 9:35-38
d. what is meant by “the gospel of the kingdom”?
e. how do we see the multitudes or our culture as a whole?
f. how did Jesus show compassion?
g. how should we show compassion?

New terminology

photo by Hryckowian

Ever wonder if the terms you’re using just don’t cut it?

Ever feel like you’ve been telling folks something over and over again and they have no clue what you’re talking about?

I wonder if maybe sometimes in our churches we use “outdated” terms or terms that have a whole new meaning outside the church and folks misunderstand what we want to communicate.

I think there are terms that maybe we should re-use and re-define – but maybe we need to work harder at defining them.

I love terms and phrases like “the insurgency of love.”

We all understand insurgency thanks to our recent world conflicts, and when you tag that idea of love on it – it gives a completely different meaning and idea.

But here’s one I’ve been struggling with and trying to define to others.

“Leader” – a person who rules or guides or inspires others

I think we get this idea that a leader is someone who says passionate things, gets everyone gathered around them for a common cause and then wins a battle.

But I think in a community or church setting: A leader is one who loves. One who serves. One who gives.

Being a leader in church doesn’t mean you have all the answers. It doesn’t mean you have a seminary degree. It doesn’t mean you’ve read the Bible 4 times and understand the Greek and Hebrew translations.

It just means you’re willing to serve and give. It just means you’re willing to say, “I want to give of myself and love others.”

Karl Barth said “laity” is one of the worst words in our Christian terminology. With the introduction of this word we suddenly have two classes of people – the clergy and the lay person. Yet in Christ, there’s no division between white, black, Jew and Gentile. We may gladly admit that, but somehow we’ve gladly accepted the division between clergy and laity.

How can we better (re)define “leader” so that others may step up and say “I’m willing to follow Christ. I’m willing to give my life for others. I’m willing to love the unloved.”?

“I have decided to follow Jesus… Though none go with me – still I will follow…. no turning back. No turning back.”