Google and the Church

Jeff Jarvis has a new book out called What Would Google Do? that essentially reveals the rules for how Google not only became the web's premier search engine but also an outstanding business model. The book esentially builds off of other titles such as The Cluetrain Manifesto and Here Comes Everybody which make the argument for how socal media such as blogs, facebook, etc are changing the way we do business. One might have to stretch a bit in order to make connections to churches (even Jarvis argues that Google's core principles really don't apply to 'God'), there are some interesting potential discussions out there for churches.

Jarvis writes that “companies must learn that they are better off when they cede control to their customers. Give us control, we will use it, and you will win” (12). He then goes onto detail his horrific experience with Dell Computers and how through blogging and other social media, Dell made significant changes to their customer service strategy for the better. The interesting thing for me is to consider the implications for church. What does 'giving control' look like or is it such an idea even transferrable to church? Churches such as Hillcrest typically extend control through 'official' routes such as a business meetings where church matters are brought before the membership for discussion and sometimes a vote. The essential problem with such meetings is that no one comes. Well, not no one, but sometimes you barely get a quorum there. In fact, this last year Hillcrest approved moving from four business meetings per year to two, which would seem to contradict Jarvis' 'giving up control' principle.

What does more control mean at this level? I don’t think the answer lies in more structure or more business meetings. But might it lie somewhere else? Might greater control by the people possibly look like . .

• gathering people's input on where Hillcrest ought to make its next push? Similar to the reveal when we asked people where their heart beat for the community, might we repeat the process periodically to see where people's hearts are?
• providing social media for people to interact with what they are seeing and experiencing at Hillcrest? A facebook group might be a start (though I am naive when it comes to facebook), but blogs or other online tools to discuss messages, service opportunities, theology, etc.
• password protected discussion forums (or intranets)? These areas could be places where Hillcrest members and attenders joined join or began conversations regarding programming, missional opportunities, doctrinal issues, etc, providing church leadership with a valuable learning tool (sure beats a real time 'listening' session) as well as an avenue for members to voice their say outside the context of a business meeting or other formal spot.

Just some initial thoughts. More to come.