FredMcKinnon.Com

Hello everyone -

This morning’s post is a big-time “Rant and Rave” for me. Yep – I’m climbing up on a soapbox. But there’s a truth here, and it drives me nuts. More than ever before … it’s driving me nuts.

OK – so you’ve all heard of “MySpace” … I’ve posted about it here. I’ve got a profile there, and yeah – you see it featured on the news 1-2 times per week. Sure – kids get on there and disclose all sorts of personal info that shouldn’t be public. Predators surf there to find their prey. People cuss, spit and chew on MySpace (grin). There are profiles of people who are passionately in LOVE with God (lots of them are my “Friends” … go to my profile and view my “Friends” at the bottom and you’ll find some of them) … and lots of them are seekers – they don’t quite know what they want. Some are rebels, hellions … but they are all PEOPLE. PEOPLE who GOD LOVES and although there is darnkess there, the LIGHT desperately needs to be shined.

Hence, my rave.

Yesterday, I posted an email to “Worshiptalk” – an email subscription list sponsored by WorshipTogether.Com about “MySpace”. I was curious how many of the “WorshipTalkers” were also “MySpacers”. I got about 2 responses. Then, one girl forwaded along a press release she’d seen about a “Christian Alternative to MySpace”. (there it is … that sick feeling in my stomach …)

OK – before anyone starts to freak out … let me say that I think the idea of having a site for Christians is great. Christian fellowship is not just important, it’s vital. That’s one of the things that the “church” is all about – building one another up, encouraging one another, strengthening, etc. But sheez – a “Christian Alternative”?

Rather than type more, let me just copy/paste …

First, the “press release” … and then my “response”. What do YOU think?

—–Original Message—–
Subject: Christian Alternative to MySpace

XIANZ.COM launches first phase of its social networking platform. Currently
by invitation only, already over 3000 members.

Nashville, TN March 27, 2006– With MySpace becoming one of the most popular
sites on the Internet, it seems that the social networking phenomenon is
here to stay. However, along with it’s popularity comes the myriad of
concerns about private information being posted online. It could be a
parent’s
worst nightmare.

Enter XIANZ.COM, a Christian based social networking site that offers the
same functionality and much more than sites like MySpace.com, Facebook.com,
and Friendster.com . But most importantly, Xianz offers a safe environment
for teens and people of all ages to interact with others of the same or
similar interests. Among other safeguards, settings can be specified that
allow only people of the same age range to communicate.

Features include: Customized profiles with photos, video and music, private
and instant messaging, online Blogs, personal message boards, birthday
reminders & invites, shared interests, friends lists & shout outs, groups,
events and listings. A large music module will be integrated in the next
few weeks.

Currently in Beta mode, XIANZ.COM can only be accessed by invitation from a
current member.

Christian Ministry Updates
317 Main Street #205
Franklin, TN 37064
———————

And finally – my response. I’m sure I’ll get some good hard flames about this … and I’ll keep the blog updated. I expect some people to agree (hopefully), but I’m fully aware that the majority will probably stone me … what a heretic I am (ha ha)

From Fred McKinnon, via email to “WorshipTalk” email list, and now … to the public via my blog …

it seems like that anything that comes up, “Christians” have to have their own alternative. For every opportunity that evolves where Christians can get out there and be exposed – get out there w/ the sinners – get out there and mix with the lost, hurting, and dying … the Christians (I’m one of them) come along and add another room to their bubble, and all the Christians flock to yet another new room in their isolation bubble.

I’ll certainly checkout the new site – because Christian communion and fellowship is not just important – it’s VITAL. But I’ll spend more time on “MySpace” … because that’s where the lost are.

I was full-time on church staff for years … and I’m still heavily involved. I had a 1-year sabbatical where i came off staff completely … and it was the best move of my life. I realized just how “isolated” I was … I realized I had no “lost” friends … no “lost” relationships … no “clue” what culture was outside of my church-bubble. I realized I’d not prayed w/ someone for salvation in years … but I was a great “christian”.

Oh well – I sure don’t want to start another flaming thread – and please don’t misunderstand … THANKS for sending the link, because I’d not heard of that site, and I have EVERY INTENTION of checking it out and maybe getting involved. But it just cracks me up … I’d rather see all those Christians at “XIANZ.COM” come and INVADE MySpace … I’d rather see the Victoria Secret and sleezy dating ads on MySpace be bought up by CHRISTIAN companies and make a statement where the WORLD is hanging out.

Ok … I’ll step down off my soap box now.

For the Kingdom,
Fred
——–

Well, there you have it. My rant and rave for Thursday. I tried to go and join the Xianz community, but it was closed to the public – you could only join if you got an “invite” from one of the members. Sounds kinda like a lot of churches in America. “let’s be careful who we welcome here … we don’t want to get ourselves dirty” …

Well in closing, let me make it clear … I’m also a businessman, and I applaud the visionaries behind the site. I’m sure it will do well … it seems there is some advertising on the site already, and you can pay fees to upgrade your membership, so it will likely become profitable very quickly. Also, I have to remind you that I’ve already said I think it’s important for Christians to fellowship, and there are measures we should take in not allowing ourselves to be conformed to the world. My grief isn’t with the site, the site creators, etc … it’s with those of us who will flock to something like that; yet, will stay far away from something like “MySpace” where we might actually influence someone … where we might be challenged into giving an intelligent answer as to what we believe … where we may have the opportunity to be light in the darkness.

For the Kingdom,

Fred