Getting Started
Emergent Outliers is all about bringing together all of us wayward Emerging Church enthusiasts who don’t have a cohort, would like a more active community. Currently, this will be centered in an online Theology Book Club (starting this month with John Caputo’s On Religion) with video chats for meetings. We’ll also be sharing some writing and trying to get the conversation moving. This is not an alternative or competitor with Emergent Village, of course – but rather a central hub for those of us who do not have ‘real life’ Emergent communities of our own.
The website is VERY much a work in progress. It is being built as we use it, and won’t get any real polish until we know the needs that the website needs to meet for our community. So suggestions are welcome but forgive us our imperfections!
But as we start this venture, we need to hear from you – what do you need in an online community? What resources would help you feel part of this and in communion with the rest of us? You can either email or let us know in the comments. We look forward to hearing from you.
Might be something to combine with anyone in Second Life as well. While we don’t want to over-extend the tools we can use to develop a community, there are numerous ways we can do it…
How will the video chat work for those who might not have/want a webcam?
I am thinking that what we might do is come up with a sort of video chat schedule and then supplement with a-synchronous discussion like with a google group or something that would be totally open. The site can then be the hub from which these areas, or rooms, branch from.
What we should also check is to see if the video chat can be archived for those who can’t make the meeting time, but want to stay abreast.
Finally, even though you might not have a webcam, I am pretty sure there is a synchronous chat function to participate. If you have ever done a web-ex for something, it kind of works that way. Another cool option is to use Elluminate where you can run presentations too and invite telephone call in, but I doubt they have a free license.
I have worked in instructional tech for 10 years now including distance edu. course development so I understand Jan’s concern. But…there are multiple ways to invite participation anyway!
I’m willing to do the webcam thing, but I agree with the first comment about Second Life. I’d love to see a monthly bookclub meeting in Second Life instead! However, I’m in for any medium that works for the rest . . .
I’m with Maria, 2nd life all the way…(I don’t have a webcam yet, but should probably just go get one.)
I’m a little concerned that Second Life might provide to be too intimidating for some users.
I’ve never used it myself, but I’m not worried about it BEING hard so much as intimidating people on the face of it.
This sounds interesting to me too. If I can get the book via ILL before then, count me in.
One vote against Second Life as a major component – my home computer’s video card doesn’t play well w/ SL and it’s blocked at work.
I’m really loving/appreciating all that I’m seeing here at this site. There’s a forum for conversation, talk of a video link up, etc.
Personally, I will not have much more time to invest beyond those things. So, I’m all about this site.
Thanks for making it available!