Can Online Community Really Exist?

At the National Pastors Convention, I had the chance to sit on a panel and discuss the use of technology and social media within the church. You can actually see our pixel-shaped heads here if you’d like to see what went down (Thanks, DJ).

Anyway, over the last couple of months, the brain contained in my own pixel-shaped head has been doing a LOT of thinking. A lot. And if you were to have seen the interview I did at the I3 Conference, you’d see that I literally contradict myself within a week’s time.? Cynthia asked if I believed in the phenomenon of Online Community to which I eagerly argued, “yes, yes, a million times yes!”

At the NPC panel just a few days later, when I met Skye Jethani (remember, whose book Divine Commodity is the most profound thing I’ve read in a long, long time), we continued this “online community” conversation on the panel.

Out of Ur, which is a Christianity Today blog, posted a video of Shane Hipps (author of Flickering Pixels, another brilliant book) talking about virtual worlds and suggesting physical proximity is a factor in community.? Scot McKnight responded with a slightly differing opinion. Skye asked me to respond as well. And so I did.

Here is an excerpt…I’d love for you to post your thoughts over on Out of Ur, so I’m closing comments here.

In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a “jump start” so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person’s life.

But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?

Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no?what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:

I believe what happens online is connection…not community.

People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.

You will read an announcement in the full post on Out of Ur that might surprise you.?= Once you’re done over there, come back over here and you’ll get the full scoop.

See you over there!

Then back here.

Phew! I’m getting tired with all this running around.