Kathy, you are not the only one who has made these observations...

What I like about FaceBook is that there is more interaction there...There are more things to do...AND I actually like being in a place where the "world" is...There are some very loving people there...I like that I can post more pictures there...and they have an instant message system...so it is just easier to communicate there...

I do love MyChurch and I have been questioned alot about leaving...I am not leaving...I am always here, even if you don't see me...I love reading the blogs...though sometimes I do avoid reading through comments because many times they are very argumentative...God uses this site to minister to me just about everyday in some way, shape, or form...I'm thankful for MyChurch and when I am online...I usually keep both sites pulled up at the same time...

Thank you for posting this and giving us the opportunity to express our opinions...

Amen to everything stated by Brother Ken. Well said,  I thank God for helping me come across this site and I've enjoyed the fellowship thus far. I've been privileged to have the time to fellowship on this website, much more time than I've had in the past. I say "privileged" b/c it may not always be so that I have the kind of time I've had in the last few months. I am enjoying it while God gives the opportunity.

You cannot fellowship on secular social networking sites in the same way you can here.  In fact, I  have made a conscious decision to refuse invitations to socialize on the other sites even though  most of my friends are already on them. I don't want technology and its innovations to rule my life. Granted all of these tools have their place but we only have so much time in a day.

I will keep in touch with friends by long distance telephone, email, instant messaging. Photos can be shared in on line photo albums with those friends I have who are far away and with family through old fashioned printed (coloured) prints.  If I add Facebook, My Space & other social networking sites to my already full spectrum of tools, it simply waters down where I can focus my energies.

I see MC as a great tool for enabling the body of believers to encourage one another (as per its scriptural motto).  I am a still a "newbie" user and I don't have the experience with the tools you used to have on MC (and I obviously can't speak to the tools on My Space & Facebook).

I know some people have lamented about lack of IM or broadcasting but that isn't a huge problem to me. I do what the younger set here does. I use the profile page as a place to send comments IMs coupled with notes/highlights of new things in the memo option. If I want to share deeper information it can be done in email. People can delete what they don't like and indeed they do, lol.

I am also not so concerned about people posting messages for everyone to read. I like to see new blogs on a list and I can pick and choose what I don't want to read. If we as Christians are going to encourage one another, we ought not to be doing it in "cliques" of those we consider our friends or those who are more "popular" or those who get more "stars".  We shoud not be respecters of persons but rather embrace the entire body of believers just as Christ did. If we all start to filter what we read by subscriptions only, we will miss someone who desperately needs prayer, a word of encouragement, a hug or a teaching. 

Two small things that would be an improvement: the ability to load more than 10 pictures if funds permit. The other is the ability to put all friends into alphabetical order automatically. Right now, once you have used the top 10 friends feature u have to go back and manually re-order friends in alphabetical order. This is a drag.

Thanks for starting the discussion. I very much appreciate of all those who help to make MC available. 

I am probably the newest member here since I joined about 30 minutes ago and "Joyful" gave me a link to this blog post after reading mine.

 I can't give you like and dislikes about myChurch yet other than the color scheme is absolutely wonderful! (BTW, I am a graphic designer and illustrator) However, I can tell you that I do not like the bombardment of ads about meeting women on the other networking sites. I understand that ads create the revenue for sites like this one and do not have a problem with a banner ad much like the Christian Cafe ad that is on this page as I am typing, but Facebook, mySpace, and even Yahoo! are beginning to allow a little too much for me.

I hope I am in time to see some great things happen here and am looking forward to meeting a lot of brothers and sisters!

 God Bless!!!

<")))><

I originally joined MyChurch in hopes of inviting others in my small group at church, as well as additional people at church that I know, to become active with each other throughout the week here.  But I could only get about four people to join, and they never returned once they joined.  (This was before Facebook was opened up to non-students.)  So it quickly became apparent that MyChurch was going to be like my main blogging community, Xanga, where the only people I know on the site are not people I know in real life.

But even with that understanding, the longer I was on here, the more I disliked it.  I just feel out of place here.  The people are SO subculturally Born Again Club evangelicals, I just can't relate to them.  So I have mostly become inactive here due to that.

Meanwhile, after Facebook opened up to everyone, it has exploded for me.  All the people I know at my church are on Facebook, and now I get the daily interaction with them that I had originally hoped for with MyChurch.  The one thing I don't like about Facebook, though, is that it's not a blogging community.  You can put "Notes" there, but they seem to be largely ignored.

So my main blogging community continues to be Xanga.  Xanga is now connected with ReveLife, a Christian blogging community, so I can respond to blogs posted there while in Xanga.  ReveLife, though primarily evangelical, tends to be a bit broader in the content of the postings and commenters.  I have been a member of Xanga since 2004 and still like it better than any other community.  But since no one I know in person hangs out there, Facebook is something I frequently use to keep up with all of my friends and family.

I also belong to the social networking community MyCCM.org, since I like Christian music, but since Salem killed Contemporary Christian Music magazine, the number of people active on the site has dwindled, so it's a very small community (about 1000 people).  And I exist on MySpace, but I loathe the place and rarely go there. 

I still love Mychurch.Have been on more recently than I have for a while.Life has been crazy busy.I wish they would bring back the subscription feature.It would be nice if there were more interactive features. 

I have to say...   that MyChurch has changed dramatically, and I'm sad.
  
I believe it depends upon what people are seeking.... for themselves, and what they are seeking to do for others. 

I tend to believe that we are called to:
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
-1 Thessalonians 5:11

I agree with your statement about dislikes; this is dangerous.  I know of people who've left because of this...   and I wonder how they are.
The few very vocal bloggers who pontificate in arrogance, judging others, condemning others to hell, and believing their opinions are equal to God's.

I see more and more blogs, with fewer and fewer comments and stars, which I just don't understand.  I'm making much more of an effort to read more and more blogs.  I try to leave a comment to let the blogger know that I read the blog and cared enough to comment.

I think people are sad and hungry for more interaction, therefore they may be going to Facebook for that.  Chat, games, etc.  They need to some fun thrown in.  Just my take.

We're seeing big changes in the United States economy, etc.  It's affecting lives...  people losing homes, homeless pets, so many with a sense of hopelessness.  We can make a difference, and we should.

Does this makes sense?  I've been praying about this.  My prayers are being answered.

I've been a member of MyChurch for almost a year and appreciate the interaction among members of various churches. My thanks to Kathy and the MC team for facilitating this not just as a business, but to edify the body of Christ.

 While this collaboration is valuable, it could be of greater value if the encouragement and relationships we share here could be accessible to our non-Christian friends. By example, Jesus was not just inwardly focused on the disciples but frequently "hung out" with non-believers. Recently, I've focused more of my attention on Facebook to expose my co-workers and friends to my church/spiritual life. Several of them have commented on testimonies that I've posted of people being healed and touched by God and it prompted conversations that wouldn't have occurred otherwise. Although I've been a believer for many years, it feels like I've "come out of the closet" through social networking. But the people who need God most, unfortunately, are not on MyChurch nor will they likely seek out Christian websites. Chances are they'll find God through a friend that they know and trust and I've found Facebook an effective tool to expand my witness to current/past friends and acquaintances.

 Kathy, based on my experience I believe that MyChurch would achieve its goals and gain the needed critical mass--not just in membership but in participation (stickiness)--if it focused primarily on its Facebook presence.

 Blessings, Jeff

Dear Kathy~
If appropriate, I would like to thank Teral for her most recent comment on this, Your blog.  I too, am on many other social networking sites, there to share my Testimony of Christ Jesus.  I know that those who are not the Children of God, (as The Holy Scriptures state that some are the Children of satan and not the Children of God) do not belong on MyChurch and they cannot stay on MyChurch by reason of them being Children of satan.  They cannot receive the things of the Spirit of Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.  Anyway, this is just to say that I wholeheartedly support Ministering on other 'Social Networking Sites'  while being cautious and extremely aware that satan is working overtly through their pictures and blogs, etc. because they have nothing to do with The Church.

Good thoughts, Ken. It seems that many sincere and dedicated believers are afraid of the temptations of the world, believing it is more Godly to sequester themselves exclusively to Christian-only groups and activities. Of course, all of those things are good, healthy, and edifying. A while ago, I assessed how much time/energy I spent getting edified, fellowshipping with fellow believers, and attending as many church services as available.

But Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world…" I came to the realization that I was more focused on “not being of this world” than going into the world. This Great Commission is the primary purpose of the church and I for one had lost sight of Jesus’ central message.

Of course, I’m not advocating being foolish and living lasciviously just to fit in. We are to flee temptation, but if we have no power over sin, we have not been fully endued with power. We are the light of the world. The light of Jesus dispels the darkness, it is not afraid of the darkness, and the darkness cannot corrupt the light.

There is plenty of darkness on MySpace and Facebook and I’m working covertly to infiltrate their ranks and let the light of Jesus shine brightly.

 Blessings & love, Jeff

I miss the subscriptions most of all! How can we get it changed?

I prefer MC to FB & others, because I enjoy the sharing here.  FB & such are fun, but not as edifying.     I do get tired of those few who want to get haughty and argumentative, but I totally enjoy hearing why others believe as they do -- IF they can share it with love instead of anger.  

I don't recall if I was subscribe to anyone with the subscriptions, so then again I don't know if I miss them or not, but thinking back on it they sure would come in handy for checking in with my friends. I have become quiet attached to this site and enjoy getting to know others on here. It amazes me how much we can grow in our Christian faith. I have meet some amazing people and you were the first one to welcome me when I enjoyed and am glad that we have been connected together through it all and I am sorry that I haven't been by in a while.  Bless you and your family.

I have enjoyed being on My Church. I have met new friends from the US and Canada, but mainly it has been an opportunity to network with people in my own church, the church where I worship and pastor, between Sundays.

I miss the posting of book and movie reviews that used to be on the Explore page. What happened to those?

Liz, blog subscriptions mean you can subscribe to those blogs you wish to keep up with.  You have a Subscriptions tab which lists any new posts by members in your subscriptions.  For example, if I am subscribed to your blog, I will be notified every time you post a new one.

In response to your question about the MyChurch team, I'm not sure where that info is posted now.  Maybe someone else can respond.  Joe, Carol, and all the team are super! 

Congratulations, Tim, and you're welcome!  I look forward to hearing about grad school!

Thanks, Sheree.  I have never left MyChurch.  I am here!

The judgemental people need love, and I was once that way until the Lord taught me that love is the center of spiritual balance. We are all on a journey and ,until we die to the self (heart Jer 17:9) we cannot even see where that spirit of criticism and pride come from. I'm probably preachin to the quior but I speak life over you as well and healing and goodness and God's grace and favor for your life. Blessings to you.

I joined Facebook because a family member suggested I do and I am happy I conceded, because I saw a link to My Church on Facebook on a family member's page and that is how I found out about My Church.  I spend more time on My Church because I am looking to grow in my faith in the Written Word and I love the interaction I find here.  I have met and interacted with more people on My Church than I do on Facebook, even thought I have tons of family members and friends there. simply because of our mutual interest. I have posted links to my Church blogs on Facebook in case anyone is interested they can simply go to the link and they are in My Church.

I thank God my heavenly Father that I found this site.  I have met some very special people with different gifts for times and seasons. I have learned from each one whose blogs I read and I thank those of you who take the time to read my blogs and make comments. I realized how much I missed  my friends on this site when I could not get on line for a few weeks and that says it all.

Shalom to all my friends I love yu

Sister Marcia. 

I find MyChurch to be a way to communicate with the youth of my church who aren't allowed to have other sites. It's a good way to minister to them throughout the week.

I also blog things that I would probably not teach or preach on in church. There are many reasons for this but I think the main thing is the fact that there is a gap in understand and relevance in my church's youth. What is relevant to older ones isn't to younger ones.

I'm thinking some of the main reasons people are attracted to Facebook is the fact that more people are on there. Originally I hated facebook. It was so basic and there were few people but the site has multiplied greatly in the past year. I think MySpace still tops my list because, in the teen world, almost everyone has an account. The HTML/CSS interface is easier to use and I can design it as my own site thus the reason I use MySpace for my church's youth site.

I'm still on mychurch about the same amount of time as everywhere else and I try to post a blog at least weekly.