tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064564483718678731.post2875771860975687098..comments2023-10-18T04:51:41.275-07:00Comments on Third Way Faith Blog: "Virtual Community" AgainZach Lindhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00851373421822443988noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064564483718678731.post-71655928021390739282009-11-20T19:56:54.621-07:002009-11-20T19:56:54.621-07:00From a communications perspective, I think it is i...From a communications perspective, I think it is important to look at the work of Joseph Walther's "Social Information Processing Theory." He closely examines the development of relationships using computer mediated communication. It is a bit technical, but agrees with some of the points you have made in your writing.Jeffreyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15869638648196638644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064564483718678731.post-23673772456036628862009-07-27T14:49:50.608-07:002009-07-27T14:49:50.608-07:00Hi Shane -
Great thoughts here. You have voiced ...Hi Shane - <br /><br />Great thoughts here. You have voiced some of what I've been thinking about as of late. Having spent almost a year at Swiss L'Abri since 2006, and heading back there in just over 2 weeks for an extended period of time, I have both experienced and thought about intentional community, and how that could translate into a "virtual" community. I don't like using "virtual" in place of "real" community, because it does make online community sound like it is less than in-person community, or at least not "real community." I don't want to constrict a definition of community.<br /><br />I find this conversation interesting because one of things I will be seeking to do during my time at L'Abri will be to establish an online community where people (both L'Abri alums and not) can engage on a heart level and continue the reality of life that we find at L'Abri and other places in the world. Feel free to stop by and join in/start conversations when the new website goes live near the end of August. www.destineemedia.com.<br /><br />Cheers!Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06118873415210356419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3064564483718678731.post-75564817523471703532009-03-16T16:27:00.000-07:002009-03-16T16:27:00.000-07:00I founded and lead a virtual community within Seco...I founded and lead a virtual community within Second Life that now has grown to 6 services, Bible studies and numerous social and pastoral interactions each week. I really like your comments Shane as you are questioning the 'progress'. It is out of such activity that we start to refine our offerings, develop a more thoughtful ecclesiology.<BR/><BR/>Interestingly my motivation for doing ministry online is a desire to be incarnational. To head to a strange land, pitch our tent, learn the language and offer Christ in the midst of that new place. I believe that Christ is not limited by physical space and can magnificently work within any environ including the virtual.<BR/><BR/>I have written a couple of short papers that might interest you. The first is called 'The Digital Revolution and the Church', the second is 'Christian Mission to a Virtual World'. Both can be downloaded from my blog at: http://brownblog.info/?page_id=409<BR/><BR/>I would be interested in your thoughts and further questions.<BR/><BR/>God bless!<BR/><BR/>Rev MarkMark Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01640174650561361363noreply@blogger.com