Craig Newmark is a household name for many who call themselves internet-dwellers. He’s the founder and “community manager” of the 10th most trafficked website in the US, Craigslist.com.

About a week or so ago he was hanging out at the User Gen Conference in San Jose, CA and shared a few “nuggets” of wisdom that I want to unpack and explore for a second as I believe they are both relevant and powerful thoughts especially in light of what technoevangelists are doing in the online space.

Indulge me, if you will.

Feedback Loop

Craig:

“From the very beginning,” Newmark said, “I was involved in talking to people; listening to people. And it hasn’t stopped. The idea was that people send me information; I’d ask them about it, listen, try to do something about it – and then ask for more feedback.”

I’m not sure we do this well enough as we’d like to think we do. Much of our communication channels in the typical brick-and-mortars are proof of that, and I think it bleeds into how we engage in the online space.

I remember many instances in many different congregations where the “accessibility” of the Senior Pastor was close to non-existent. I can also remember the “fear” associated with providing any type of feedback to any of the leaders.

I think we should be aware of this historical and cultural issue that may, in fact, color the way we do online ministry.

Get Out of the Way

Craig:

“Frankly, as a manager, I kinda suck. But fortunately Jim [Buckmaster] didn’t.”

Newmark has often times pointed out that “while you may have a great idea, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have the skills to mange it or nurture its growth.”

I think I’m learning this at an incredibly fast pace, and I’m learning to give others a voice where mine is particularly weak.

I’ve seen a lot of pride and ego associated with the online space and sometimes it looks like a traditional “land grab” when new services, products, or applications rise to the top. It’s really sad, honestly.

I think we need to learn to “let go” of the things in the online space that we simply “suck at” and give it to those that really “know how.”

Participation on Both Sides

Craig:

“The Internet is about inclusion,” Newmark said, “on the Net, no one should be left out.”

Jeff Jarvis probably said it best when he noted that Craigslist’s mantra is right on the money:

“As Google built the most powerful tool imaginable–the entire world of digital knowledge revealed behind a simple search box–so did Craig build a simple tool that changed society (and newspapers and real estate and more) without prescribing how we should use it.

They create platforms to enable us to do what we want to do and then, instead of giving us rules about their use, then they stand back and put us in charge.”

As we come to better understand the people we serve, the culture in which we live [online], and the tools that we employ, the natural tendency is to “close the loop.” This is diametrically opposed to what the Gospel is all about.

We preach a Gospel that is available to all men at all time in all places. We believe that. We know that. But sometimes we preach a Gospel [online] that is only available to those that use the same browser, use the same web services, enjoy the same applications and tools, and blog like we do.

Tragic, really.

So What Now?

Who knows. But one thing is for sure: Craigslist.com isn’t going anywhere.

One additional thought I might throw out there is that you look into the Craigslist Foundation. Their Bootcamp Conferences have been an amazing hit and their programs are stellar. I think we could learn a thing or two about them.

[Original Interview found Here.]