Take a look at this video commercial above and look for models of how community starts, builds, “catches on”, engages, and expands [Thanks KeeperoftheSound!].
I feel like, conceptually, the same thing occurs in the online space. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), it doesn’t happen as rapidly as we’d like it to.
In only a few days ChurchCrunch.com will turn 4 months old.
I’ve been counting the days religiously and every 30 days I do an overview of analytics and metrics for engagement using the many “best-practice” tools from my corporate days.
I see a number of things that are happening, some of which I’m severely disappointed and a few others that make me crack a small smile.
The big win, though, is that we are starting to build community. Please note the “we“, not “me”.
What is happening is much like a virtual watercooler: There are a number of people who systematically approach the cooler with arms wide open. They are consistently there, day in and day out, and sometimes always at the exact same time.
Then there are those that visit every so often, sometimes at peak hours and sometimes a few at very random points during the day and night.
We also have our “casual” observers as well as our “frenetic” spam-commenters that appear randomly, drop 20 comments on 10 different posts (sometimes commenting on themselves) and then disappear for a few days (or weeks).
The point is that it’s an eclectic bunch that visit here. Some stay beyond the formalities, and some never return.
But what’s nice is that we’re starting to get to “know” each other. Familiar commenters return and I rejoice. Why? Not because the post gets another comment but because I know that commenter. We’ve chatted over video, or had a discourse over Twitter.
We’re getting to know each other through consistent meeting and dialogue.
They are not just a “commenter” adding to my analytics mark, but a friend, colleague, encourager and supporter. They are women, men, pastors, ministry leaders and staff, secular businessmen, youth and young professionals. They are as unique as they are fun.
And it is, truly, loads of fun. But it took time. It took a missional perspective and missional-level of engagement that I purposely chose before I started blogging here less than 4 months ago. It took a particular strategy, roadmap, and plan.
It wasn’t an accident. But it wasn’t completely controlled either. It’s this tension that makes community management and building so gosh darn amazing. It’s this tension that makes it so worth it.
The blog is just the medium; the community is what makes the former worth the effort and it is the “point” to a certain degree. It’s what keeps me going, and what makes doing what I do enjoyable and rewarding.
I hope it’s been the same for you.
Thanks so much you guys. 2009 is a big year. Let’s do it together. It’s only just begun.
love me some community! 4 months?! That's it?!Awesome. From my end, I haven't encountered anyone who moderates and comments on comments. I've met a bunch of cool people from this community.
thanks for joining us!
wow, so I just discovered churchcrunch a couple days ago, and have been enjoying the posts and I just figured from the looks of things that it has been going for a while, but less than 4 months, thats awesome that this type of community has been built in such a short amount of time. Good work. Keep it up.
would love for you to join us long term! we could use as many brilliant minds as possible.. the more the merrier.
yeah definitely, I'll be stickin around for sure.
rocking…! right on!
Love it, man. Great quote: "It took a missional perspective and missional-level of engagement that I purposely chose before I started blogging here less than 4 months ago. It took a particular strategy, roadmap, and plan. It wasn’t an accident. But it wasn’t completely controlled either."
I really believe that the Church has an obligation to share strategy on community-building especially. We have sucked at it in our physical incarnation. My belief is that we will help light the path online for how we can reclaim that foundational aspect of our faith in the real world.
word up to that brother. i'm just one among many other thought leaders… lots of synergy this year… you included!
let's knock it out of the park!
Great to see people being proactive within these blog communities. There's a certain heart / attitude that's required to be a part of genuine community, and it's evident when it shows up. Keep up the good work here at churchcrunch….fun times!
So true. I love the connections I have with people through sites like twitter, etc. It's awesome!
wishing that my host would allow intense debate. This blog too is amazing.
wait, wah? they won't allow it? get off!
yes, definitely fun times!
a side note… would you ever consider guest posting…?
Freehostia.com is what I use. It's not a wordpress problem I don't think.
DOH!… yeah. that stinks.
Great work with the site. You've definitely inspired me and this site has quickly become one of my regular reads. I've actually even set up a twitter account – now I just have to use it.
all it takes is the jumpstart. thanks for joining us here bill!