Small Groups 2.0 – Blogging For Your Small Group
My latest series of posts is all about how social networking tools on the internet can enhance our small group ministry. My last post shared how our social groups use blogging as a tool but it doesn’t end there!
Another group in our church that utilizes blogging to keep enhance their group experience is one of our Young Adults Home Teams. Home teams at Christ’s Church of the Valley are traditional small groups that study the Bible and socialize together.
This group started their blog in April of 2007 and have been using it for over a year now to enhance their group life experience. They utilize blogging for the following reasons:
- To notify the group of the meeting schedule
- To inform members of cancellations
- To schedule social events
- To share pictures with group members
- To remind group members of reading assignments and homework prep for future meetings and discussions
This small group is a prime example of how to make blogging work to enhance group life. Has your small group ever taken a picture together at an event or a meeting that you wanted to share? Setting up a blog for your group can help you do that, plus it provides you with a place where you can record your memories from seeing that picture and your group members can comment and share their thoughts as well. However, while maintaining a blog is quite simple it does take a little time. So, before jumping into the blogosphere, I would recommend sitting down with your group and asking them what they would like to use a blog for so you appropriately meet the need . For example, if your group only wanted to share pictures, and nothing else, you may want to use a photo sharing website like flickr instead. This way you are not wasting your time maintaining a blog but still using Web 2.0 technology to enhance your group experience.
Photo sharing on the internet would be a great place to start for any group. Especially if using the web is a new thing for them.
UPDATE: I just talked to the group leader and they are scrapping the old blog and upgrading their site to include some other features! I post on them again in the near future to let you know what they are up to!
Question: what kind of ways can you think of for small groups to use blogging?
Read More In This Series
Small Groups 2.0 – Social Networking For Social Groups
Small Groups 2.0 – Blogging For Your Small Group
Small Groups 2.0 – Task Groups On The Web
Small Groups 2.0 – Using Tech To Measure Group Growth
I never thought of using a blog for small groups, but I love the idea.
In addition to every value/use you’ve mentioned, I think a blog discussion following each gathering would allow those absent to catch up and join the discussion. Those where able to attend could continue to comment on their experiences of applying the lesson.
The learning process would also be enhanced as each person took their turn summarizing the group insights in written form.
If members of the group visit it weekly, I think a group blog would be a huge asset.
Brian, great feedback. I think what you suggest could really work if the group was doing a daily devotional study together. Thanks for the comment.