Social Media and Community

I’ve mentioned before that I love social media.  Facebook, Twitter, blogging, love it.  I think it is an incredible tool that will not be wearing out it’s welcome anytime soon.  Whether for business, ministry, educational or personal, social media continues to grow and it’s effectiveness continues to spread.  One of the biggest reasons I think social media works is community.  I’ve had several conversations over the last week or two regarding the idea of community and the impact that social media is having.  First, let me say that nothing takes the place of face to face relationships.  Nothing.  While I have made, and continue to make, what I would consider good friends in the social media world – some that would be really cool to meet in person (and no, I’m not referring to The Pioneer Woman)- they still do not compare or come close to replacing relationships with those around me. That being said, there is significant value in communities that are being built using social media.

Through social media, I’ve seen some crazy communities built.  Most of these are built around blogs, but are expanded and spread almost virally through Twitter and Facebook.  Communities like those found at Ragamuffin Soul, Stuff Christians Like and Flowerdust come to mind.  Through these communities schools in Vietnam have been built, orphans have been sponsored, sex trafficking in Russia has been fought, books have been written, CDs have been sold, lives have been changed/saved.  All this by people (readers/commenters) that, 95% of the time, have never met.  How amazing is this?  By using their talents and going after their passions, these bloggers have built up communities of people from across the world, created relationships and have used these collections of people to change the world for good.  These are just 3 examples, but I could literally list hundreds.  People are sharing stories on blogs.  Stories of renewed faith, stories of brokenness, stories of adventure, stories of parenting, stories of every day life.  And people are connecting (many times on multiple blogs based on different passions).  And interacting.  Building community.  Doing good.  Using social media.

Most people that blog would tell you they don’t care if people read it or not.  I’m not most people.  I hope a lot of people read this blog.  I’m just being honest.  I hope a community is built here.  It doesn’t have to be big (though that would be awesome, right?).  I hope relationships are formed, lives are changed (not through my words, but through relationships), Jesus is made greater (if that makes sense) and somehow the world is changed.  I like to dream so I might as well dream big – though I probably just jinxed myself like the Madden cover curse.  So, for those that read this, thanks.  I don’t know how many of you there are (I really don’t look at the stats that often — I have a small issue with pride), but I do appreciate you and the relationships I’m forming with you.  So let’s go for it, shall we?  With the awesomeness that is social media, it might just be easier now than it has ever been.

What role has social media played in forming your online communities?