Hearing the rumors about MySpace completely shutting down is both exciting for me and a sad one.
The former because this is just what happens in the technological space as old services are completely destroyed by newer (and better) ones (and this is a good thing) and the latter because I used to work for Mr. Murdoch, and it sucks to lose:
The company doesn’t say how much MySpace makes. But the category in News Corp.’s financial report that’s dominated by MySpace lost $156 million in the quarter that ended in September vs. a loss of $126 million in the same period last year, on revenues of $298 million, down 25.5%.
Doh.
I’m pretty sure I won’t miss it, but it’ll mark the end of an era.
Sometimes I wish that more than a few churches that are holding on for dear life (in the wrong way) would just perish for the greater good of the ecosystem at large. Harsh reality, but true.
Karsten says
“Sometimes I wish that more than a few churches that are holding on for dear life (in the wrong way) would just perish for the greater good of the ecosystem at large. Harsh reality, but true.”
At face value, one would argue with that comment. Seeing as through I was called into the ministry of teaching/preaching at 11, I have seen a TON of churches. I agree, there are some that are literally just holding on to a thread. No growth, no soul winning, no life changes, no nothing. It’s sad. Like technology, ministries can forget their purpose, and start fighting more so for survival instead of progress.
Really love that phrase…makes me want to blog about it…
Geek for Him says
I honestly have never been on the website before. I have no need AND it’s blocked at work so. Possibly I am not on Facebook at all also.
PaulSteinbrueck says
Thanks for the heads up, John. I hadn’t heard the rumor
Lee Bezotte says
One of the reason this surprises me is that Murdoch seldom loses. He’s known for taking against all odds risks and cashing in.
I agree that some churches need to admit that their time has come, stick a fork in it, and close the door.
“Any tree that bears no fruit” etc, etc.
brett barner says
That’s too bad. I think they do have a good grasp in the music area. Ping has yet to see artists get involved (Only 2,000 artists? Really?). I’ve always been surprised Facebook doesn’t jump into that scene.
Rodney Olsen says
I won’t miss MySpace if it goes. It’s never been something that has thrilled me at all.
As far as churches shutting down, I agree. I don’t think it’s need in every case but I think there are times that God builds a church or ministry for a season and once that season is over we’re just trying to breathe life back into a corpse. If God is no longer sustaining it, we need to let it go.
Chris Loach says
Mysapce did so much good and bad for the music industry. It’s pretty much dead and if they can’t reinvent it, it’s time to close…
Aaron says
I agree that in the technology space the old is replaced with the new. Churches are similar in that old traditions are slowly replaced with new ideas that become the new traditions. I’m not sure what you mean by “holding on for dear life (in the wrong way).” There are a lot of churches out there today that still hold on to older traditions because they are ministering to believers who still relate to those traditions. Even though traditions change the spiritual foundations of serving God and teaching the way of Christ are the same.
Yes, many mainline churches may have gotten too comfortable in their own skin and lacked the vision to see the cultural changes but to say that they should just perish I think is a little harsh. Small churches like the one I attend are more like church families. In a struggling economy we struggle just like everyone else. But we all serve the same God and you will find passionate Christians like myself at every struggling church. So why should we perish? We are surviving while transforming and by God’s grace will continue to serve him in miraculous ways.