User Contributed Content
On today's episode we make an attempt at tackling The Online Church's biggest fear: User Contributed Content.
We're happy to say, not all churches or ministries are afraid of user contributed content. Some understand that it's the only way to have true church community online all week long. However, there's still plenty of churches who shy away because of the perceived dangers of allowing anyone to add things to the church website. This week, we do our best to educate and encourage, looking at some misconceptions of user contributed content and we talk about different methods of adding checks and balances to the process.
But, before all this, we talk about an issue that frustrates us geeky folks when we seek to help our churches advance in the area of technology in ministry. Innovation is slower in the church than it is elsewhere, and we throw out some ideas about why that is.
comments
I haven't listened to all of the podcast yet - but based on past forum discussions, user comments are one of the things that cause concern.
Here's a thought-provoking blog post on the topic:
http://theologica.blogspot.com...
Same Topic, More Agressive :)
So, I recently approached this topic on my blog as well, pushed to do so by the exact same issues...although took a slightly more agressive approach in the response (which may be justified or not...I donno):
http://www.bobchristenson.com/...
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Pride vs Humility
I tried to post a reply to your blog - but the captcha box is not displaying when I try to post.
Here's part of what I said:
Here is an excellent post about a recent confession of another pastor (Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill) well known for his attitude - and how he has begun to see the value in humility.
Part of what glorifies God is others seeing humilty grow out of a prideful heart - something that is not a natural occurrance!
http://theologica.blogspot.com...
Hmm
Pride vs. humility? Either I missed your point or you read the wrong blog entry (probably the most recent one) :) The one I linked to is called "why I disappeared". And to be honest, I'm not that proud of the post (i think it shows an impulsive side of me that's not always helpful), but I thought I'd link because it was my experience with the topic.
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Sorry for the leap
I guess I didn't explain my thought process.
What I got from your post was that you were bothered by the (prideful) attitude you found in many Christians - reflected in their comments.
I was driving more at what I see as the root of the problem - our pride - and the biblical antidote - humility - which is kind of what the post I originally linked to was driving at.
Clear as mud?
Another inspiring example
From a black guy doing a rap in a white suburban baptist church - getting a lot of flack from it in the blogosphere - and how he resisted the temptation to blast back in comments.
http://www.boundless.org/2005/...
Wow....
Inspiring! Thanks for the awesome link.
-Rob Feature
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.mustardseedmedia.com
Listened and enjoyed the podcast...
What about church web content geared towards youth (under 18). Would you, or how would you, handle user feedback it differently? I teach a Junior Teen bible study at our church and am considering a youth geared podcast...any ideas welcome. Obviously want to protect the youth but also realize they are on much larger sites regularly with much more exposure and little or no protection...
Thanks!
4 Thoughts
I have a couple thoughts... though no real answers, yet.
1) Teach the youth through the podcast how to be smart with feedback and their presence on the Internet.
2) Look into the legality. A lot of sites require kids to be 12 or 13 before they can sign-up.
3) You can't protect the youth. You just can't. They are going to be on the Internet doing things. They are going to put themselves out there. Let God protect them.
4) How can you guide them on the Internet since they are already out there?
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com
user contrib content - www.christmasconfessions.com
We are trying some techniques learned on this podcast for our Christmas message series. Basically, we are asking folks to anonymously post likes, dislikes and other about the Christmas season. Check it out at http://www.christmasconfession....
This is a cool exercise to show the many views of Christmas and how the true meaning gets lost in the mix.
We are getting some great posts already. I am excited to see where this goes.
For the techies, this is a Drupal 5 site leveraging CCK core, spam, and update_status modules.
Thanks,
Shrop
sweet
I like it. Very nice.
Matt Farina
Geeks and God Co-Host
www.innovatingtomorrow.net
www.mattfarina.com