Church 2.0

Orginally published on Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 9:47 PM
by Greg Atkinson

I’m working on a strange sort of book entitled Church 2.0. Often, when I’m at conferences, I run into several church leaders who are aware of the project and simply ask, “So what is the book about?” I have realized that I need to explain my definition of Church 2.0. You see, when most people hear my book title they automatically think of one of two things.

First, many assume that the book will be purely about technology. This is understandable for several reasons. One is a very similar sounding and wider-spread term called “Web 2.0”. Many think that this book is about using Web 2.0 technologies for ministry. I do cover this topic, but also so much more. Another reason that many assume this book is about technology is that I serve as the Director of Technical Arts at a church, I write and speak on technology and I have a blog called ChurchVideoIdeas.com. It’s a very reasonable assumption that I would write a book about tech. This book is currently divided into three sections. Technology is one of the three sections. My hope is that once the book is released and word spreads, the term “Church 2.0” will be much larger and more definitive than just using Web 2.0 in a church setting.

Second, and this disturbs me, many hear “Church 2.0” and think I’m coming up with a new theology or making some type of doctrinal statement on the state of the Church. The truth of the matter, I believe the Word of God – all of it and I have no intention on changing something that is eternal and far more potent and profound than anything I could dare share with you. I’m all for asking the right questions and constantly evaluating if we, as the Church, are being effective, Christ-like, missional and Spirit-led. And I would hate to have this book misconstrued and possibly miscategorized because of its title...

Another reality that I’m aware of is those that perk up with interest when they hear me start to spread the word about this “Church 2.0” project, believing that I am starting or encouraging a movement away from the local church or organized church. Yes, I speak and write about virtual churches and campuses, churches using Second Life and hosting virtual prayer services, etc., but I’m not trying to replace the gathering of believers in a local body. I am open to harnessing technology for ministry. I do believe that the Church is more than four walls and that authentic ministry can happen in cyber space, but I’d love to see these people that would never darken the door of my church, who stumble across a virtual church, end up developing relationships with Believers and eventually praying to receive Christ, one day get plugged into a local assembly. I believe in the local church and know it is crucial to spiritual health, growth, community, discipleship and engaging with the Great Commission.

Can we, as local churches, do a better job? Absolutely, that is a story for another article and potentially a series of books. I do think that unChristian covers this very well and is a must-read for Church leaders, as well as Christians in general. This book and movement, however, is about the revolution that has been taking place over the last few years in the way people “do” church. It is the story of what God is doing in and through the local church, both large and small in size.

The book is unique and a change from traditional books in that this project is a collaborative conversation on creativity and innovation. I see this whole project, movement and book as organic, living and moving because this is not an answer book; it’s a conversation that is, honestly, still ongoing. You may have more questions than answers after reading this book, but that’s a good thing. My intent is to expose the reader to what I call Church 2.0 leaders, Church 2.0 churches, and their ideas and philosophies. Church 2.0 is more of a mindset than a church growth lesson, model, or goal to shoot for.

The term Church 2.0 has started to be used occasionally in the blog world. I don’t know who first used it. I’ve been saying it for a while, but so have others. It’s obviously heavily influenced by and thus derived from the technical term Web 2.0, which I referred to earlier. If you are not familiar with Web 2.0, here’s a definition from Wikipedia:  The phrase Web 2.0 refers to a perceived second-generation of web-based communities and hosted services — such as social-networking sites, wikis and folksonomies — which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users… Stephen Fry (actor, author and broadcaster) describes Web 2.0 as “an idea in people’s heads rather than a reality.”

That last sentence is key, as it suggests that Web 2.0 is “an idea in people’s heads rather than a reality.” Church 2.0 is similar in that it is an idea and as I mentioned earlier, a mindset. You’ll notice that I’m using words like “discussion” and “conversation”; that’s all very intentional. I want to make it clear that no one in my book is an expert, and they don’t get it right all the time. What I love about the people I’ve invited to share in this project is that they are risk-takers and constant learners. I will say I’ve invited them into this conversation because I respect them and what they’re doing for the Kingdom. If they have failed, they’ve failed gloriously and we get to benefit from their learned experience.

I think, though, that quite often they do get it right. They are pioneers and practitioners of 21st Century ministry, but they don’t get a big head. The people participating in this book possess a few qualities that I admire: teachability and a desire to teach, a willingness to try something new, even if it fails, and a heart to share what they’ve learned (the mistakes and the successes) with others, so that the Body of Christ can be strengthened and encouraged. These qualities are the very essence of a Church 2.0 leader.

I’d like to throw out a couple more key words. They are “fluid” and “flexible”. If you’re not fluid and flexible as a leader in the Church, you won’t make it. You’ll eventually break. Hear me loud and clear: the Gospel is timeless, it is eternal, it is rock solid, and the old, old story never changes. However, the ways in which we share, spread, preach, promote, and express the unchanging Gospel change frequently. Just think back over the last 10 years and look at the number of changes that have taken place in how we do church. How many of you were using video projection weekly? How many of you had drums and/or a band? How many of you were streaming your service on the web 10 years ago? How many of you were podcasting 10 years ago? How many of you had multi-site campuses or venues 10 years ago? You get the point. As Bob Dylan once said, “The times, they are a changing.”

Let’s rewind: I glossed over a couple of things and I think I can guess what some of you might be thinking right now. You may be thinking, “We still don’t stream our service(s) on the web” and/or “We still don’t podcast.” If that is you, stick with me. This is not a subject just for mega-churches. This is not a subject full of jargon for the tech-savvy, though I’ll touch on these issues in the technology section of the book. I went into this project with the knowledge that most churches in America are 200 people or less and the majority of those churches are under 100 congregants. Please know that I am not overlooking you or your church if you fall into that category. As mentioned earlier, Church 2.0 is a mindset, and the principles and philosophies that come out of the conversations in this upcoming book can be applied to various church sizes.

Besides being full-time on a church staff, I blog, write articles for various magazines and speak at conferences across the country. I say that to let you know that I interact with a lot of Church leaders. I get emails almost every day from people who read my blog and have questions. I’m fully aware that these emails are coming from leaders of all different types, sizes and styles of churches.

I have tried to be very widespread and strategic in whom I’ve picked to share in this conversation. Everyone you’ll meet is in love with Jesus, has a heart for the Kingdom and Church leaders, and wants to see the lost reached – that much we all agree on and have in common. What IS varied is how each person approaches their ministry, what methods they use or experiment with and how they do what they do.

Something else intentional is the roles, backgrounds and ministries of each person. Some are Senior Pastors, some are Worship Leaders, some are Communication Directors, some are Associate Pastors, some are Technology Pastors, some are consultants, some are magazine editors, some are more academic in nature and teach at a seminary or Graduate school, some teach at conferences and workshops. The other cool thing is not all are associated with mega-churches; many are, but I’ve also handpicked some church planters and leaders of smaller churches to interview.

The constant is that those involved in this discussion are life-long learners and risk takers. Not only that, once they find a principle or idea that works, they are quick to share it with other churches. Just as the definition of Web 2.0 mentions communities and services, “which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users”, Church 2.0 does the same. Nelson Searcy of The Journey Church in New York said, “Leaders of Church 2.0s are quick to give back what they are learning - this ‘learn and return’ idea of generosity is a driving force behind what we do at The Journey.” Church 2.0 churches and church leaders find ways to pass on what they have learned to other churches. They have become extremely creative in how they return what they have learned, often at a cost to their church. They design projects and websites that smaller churches can use as a resource for free.

Church 2.0 also flips the notion of leadership on its head. I’ve found that many mega-church leaders have their eyes on small, start-up churches and are watching as they take risks and experiment. These large churches are inspired by and learn from churches and Church leaders that are much smaller in attendance, but very big in their dreams and ideas. I serve on staff at a mega-church, but you wouldn’t believe how many smaller churches I have my eye on and keep up with.

When I introduce the term “Church 2.0 leaders”, these are not persons who ride well the culture wave and are up to date on the latest church growth trends. The “creativity and innovation” that I refer to flows from our Creator God, Who is the source and ultimate inspiration for how we as leaders operate and lead our churches and organizations. Church 2.0 leaders are fluid and flexible enough to adapt to culture when necessary, but are rooted and guided by eternal principles and unchanging truth. I’m finding that the churches that are exploding with growth and potential are churches that are rooted in the Word and believe in the power of prayer, not quick growth principles or fads.

As my pastor, Pete Briscoe, says, “We don’t build the Church. Christ builds the Church.” It is Christ IN us that is the key. As God’s Word says, “Christ in us is the hope of glory”. We shouldn’t scheme, game plan and struggle to come up with ways to grow our church. God chooses to operate in and through us. We are simply vessels, most of us broken vessels that have been touched by God’s grace and in turn have given our lives over to His control and the privilege of sharing the good news with all we possibly can.

Please do not get me wrong. I’m all for using technology for God’s glory. I believe God can use videos, websites, proper branding and other popular tools of the times in powerful and life-changing ways. If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t have a job on my church staff! I’m just aware of a revolution happening. I believe it is a God-thing. It’s a shift in mindset. I’m referring to it as going from Church 1.0 to Church 2.0. You may call it something else, but the point is that God is redeeming technology and using it in tremendous ways. God is also changing the hearts of his Church’s leaders. Instead of having a competitive spirit about them, churches are joining forces like never before. It is as if we finally realized that we are all on the same team and that it is all about the Kingdom.

This is the era we find ourselves in and I encourage you to embrace it and find your part. This conversation will continue, not only in the book, but online and in-person. I’m hosting Church 2.0 Local Forums in major cities all throughout the country. I hope you’ll consider coming to one if it’s near you. I’d love to hear what God is up to in your life and ministry.

(Ephesians 3:20-21) Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

* Maybe you’d like to join the conversation? If so, you can join the Church 2.0 group on Facebook.

©2008 – Greg Atkinson (http://www.GregAtkinson.com)
Used by permission from author. All rights reserved by author.

Greg Atkinson lives in Dallas with his wife and their three small children. Greg served previously as the Director of WorshipHouse Media, after having served as a worship pastor for 11 years. Greg is now the Director of Technical Arts at Bent Tree Church and continues to consult, teach and write about worship, media, leadership and creative communication. You can connect with him through his daily blog at GregAtkinson.com. 

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