Spiritual communities reaching out online

November 1, 6:50 PMMinneapolis Generation Y ExaminerKristina Proctor

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Minneapolis Generation Y Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Religions have always been reaching out to spread their beliefs, good news, or to bring back members that have become disengaged from their spiritual communities. However, the fight and awareness isn't happening on the street corners with fliers much anymore, it's an online up hill battle.

Generations X, Y and Z go to their online options now, more than ever before. So, in return, online evangelizing is increasing at warp speed.

Between podcasts, blogs and facebook fan pages, faith based communities are searching, guiding and interacting with worldwide communities in many different ways, and the Twin Cities is no exception.

The Twin Cities Jewfolk website was started with the goal of getting Jews back into the local synagogues. Leora Maccabee and Emily Cornell are members of the Jewish commuity in the Twin Cities, and want to help others like them to be active in various Jewish activities available. Through TCJewfolk.com people can see local events, check out available resources and read the 'Jew-Date Diaries' column.

And yes, you can follow them on Twitter, facebook and myspace.

TC Jewfolk is in good company. According to the Star Tribune Rabbi Hayim Herring is one clergy member that supports the blogging and tweeting of clergy. The article, by Jeff Strickler, goes on to talk about the different methods of communication for religions on the internet. The article also touches on the need to be where the people are, to communicate and share beliefs.

It's not just the Jewish communities jumping on the social media bandwagon. Christian, Islamic, Muslim, Scientologist and most others are sharing their sermons and beliefs in online forums. Jacob's Well, a progressive Lutheran church in Minneapolis, posts their sermon series on YouTube. They don't stop there however, they have a YouTube Channel and a facebook fan page.

What is your religious or spiritual organization doing to e-vangelize?