More great stuff from the article “Creating a Congregational Web Site”

It is important to remember that online community is different from the physical community of a congregation. Face-to-face community is often held together by charismatic, articulate leadership that has roots in the physical presence of individuals. Online community actually favors those who write well, are thoughtful, and are kind. On the Internet, shyness is less of a barrier and can actually enable empathetic caring and witness. Age, gender, race, physical impairment, etc., are not nearly the barriers to online community that they are in the average local congregation. A faithful venture in witness through the Internet may be able to draw on a congregation’s untapped resources and release new power for mission.

Amen.  There is freedom experienced in many ways, and this freedom brings together people from both groups.  People who may well NOT be writers can still read in most cases,  and can “catch on” to the stories and personalities of people who have yet to emerge from their social shell.  Being affirmed in ftf settings by “readers” has a way of instilling additional confidence in our traditional settings personas.  Online community enhances the chances.  The chances of “finding comon ground” and “sharing our journeys.