Developing Adventism In and Through Social Networks

Bryan L. CollickGlobal Internet Evangelism Network 2007

What is a social network?

A connecting point

Built around a theme

Community-driven

Examples of Online SNSs(Social Networking Systems)

Orkut

Cyworld

43 Things

Offline Similitude

Playground

Town Square/ Marketplace

Early Christian Church

Adventist Presence & Potential

SNSs help us tell our story

SNSs shape our way of thinking

SNSs go where we go

SNSs put the member first

Potential Gains:opportunities for insight

insight through user opinions

insight through user suggestion

insight through observation of usage, your site & elsewhere

Potential Gains:opportunity for credibility

by giving voice, power to the individual

by being perceived as a listener

Potential Gains:opportunity for awareness

seeing how the church operates

"buying stock" in the organization

knowledgeable, involved people = leaders

Potential Losses:perceived loss of authority

not congruent with "megaphone dissemination"

what happens when the narrative chosen differs from the administrators wishes?

community leaders can be as vital as creators/admins

Potential Losses:loss of opacity

ideas submitted, response expected

indirect responses imply a greater allegiance to another community

Potential Losses:ramification of proprietary SNSs

pitting yourself against the already-established, well-funded defaults (why adventist?)

perceived as exclusive, unwilling to support existing networks

suceptible to anti-sites, isolated spamming

Discussion