Let me suggest a way that a presbytery or other governing body could make use of technology to build up the Body of Christ.
First, identify some of the challenges that are facing the church in our time. At least in the beginning, I am not thinking of the politically controversial issues but more basic ones like new member development, creative financing, environmental issues in building use, or supporting of weak churches during a time of transition.
Second, share this list over the internet with the pastors of your presbytery. Ask for volunteers to think about these issues on a deeper level.
Three, form groups of three to five clergy around one of these issues and ask for their commitment to spend at least one to two hours a week for eight weeks researching and sharing around the issue.
Hook them up through something like facebook and ask them to commit to a given hour each week that they would exchange their thinking about the issue. Independent of that hour, they would also commit at least an hour to reading, researching with respect to the issue.Ask them to think both theologically and practically with respect to the issue.
Near the end of the time, encourage them to share a coordinated version of their consensus about the issue through some form of webinar throughout the entire presbytery.
Then begin again with a new subject. Draw upon the gifts of the clergy and build community in the process.
