Coptic Social Networking

I’ve been looking at Social Networking for a while now, and I think there is definitely a need for this among the Coptic Orthodox community.

There is a lot of benefits too, such as:

• Youth get to enjoy each others company under the umbrella of the church
• A church directory can be built up easily
• Youth groups can be formed and a youth database achieved through this
• Central place for all copts
• Library of resources eg. sermons, photos, events can be shared amongst all chuches world wide

An example of this vision is seen in MyChurch.org where they are implementing a social network for all churches world wide. This article “A private social network for your church” shows there vision.

Another point I would like to mention:

• Social networking sites such as Bebo/My Space tend to have a negative impact on young adolescent youth since they are put into a social environment where there are no adults and they can do what they want. Hence swearing, sexual images, worldly music are “normal”.

My Dream

Here is some brainstorming I did on an ideal Coptic Social Network Site that I would love to be implemented.

• Events
  • RSVP
  • Photos of events afterwards
• Friends
• Monasteries
• Diocese
  • Bishop
  • Churches
    • Fathers
    • Sunday School Class of XX
    • Other Groups
      • Choir
      • Deacons
    • Youth Groups
      • Servants
      • Photos
      • Events
    • Photos
    • Events
• Organisations
  • Events
• Profile
  • Avatar
  • Pictures
  • Family Tree
  • Messages
• News
• Saints
• Resources
  • Audio
    • Sermons
    • Hymns
  • Books
  • Presentations

Due to the hard nature of building something like this, I think MyChurch.org is the best one that fits this criteria so far. Ning.com has been up there too, but it serves more of a general social networking site rather than church specific.

Let me know your opinions.

God Bless