Church needs inspiratation to Facebook the future
Commenting on the fact that since the General Synod Facebook group went live on 1 August 2007, only 20 members have joined - and that the Church of England page has just 122 members - the Christian think tank Ekklesia says Christians need to be inspired not 'worthy' about social networking. See: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5575
It points out that Ekklesia and Inclusive Church have nearly 300 members between them on Facebook, "and we haven't even been trying very hard to recruit" said Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow.
Barrow points out that the church's efforts to get 'with it' look "pretty paltry" compared to the 20,678 people who are currently backing the "truly inspired" campaign to get satirical comedian and singer Bill Bailey to be Britain's entrant in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.
"This shows that you need a good idea to spark interest on a social networking site, not just the notion that the church should be sticking its nose in because it looks a bit fuddy-duddy if it doesn't", commented Barrow.
"In those terms, at least the slow sign-up rate may be a sign of honesty. That said, good luck to General Synod. It could probably do with a bit more of a social life."
"Hopefully more people will now join the 42 itrepid souls who want to 'Free the Lambeth One'," Barrow added.
"It's tragic that all large chunks of the Anglican Communion seem to want to do is kick themselves to death, while they have a person of such outstanding intellectual and spiritual capabilities as their leader. At the moment Rowan Williams is beached by his institution's dysfunction. But the good news is that if he wants to find some less establishment friends he only has to look on Facebook."
Ekklesia's Facebook page is here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2525066399
Free the Lambeth One: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=3384565192
(Registration is needed to view these sites - go to http://www.facebook.com/ and follow the simple instructions.)