Why settle for virtual community when you can have the real thing?

Apparently OnTheCity.org has revamped their webpresence and kicked over some news in terms of where they are headed with their product. We first covered them way back in December when Zondervan first finished out their acquisition and I can imagine that they’ve been growing like a weed.

And why not with new buzzwords (and old) like “biblical community,” “community networking,” “community software built in community,” “church movement software,” “move them on mission,” etc.

Check out this product overview that spins much like a number of other white label social networking software apps.

Here’s an email I got from them earlier today giving more details on what they’ve been up to and if you want more details on their Webinars:

Greetings from The City!

In the past few months, you contacted The City for more information.  We’re sorry  it’s taken a while to get back to you.  But now that we’ve officially launched I’d like to share a few ways that you can get introduced to The City.

First, if you haven’t been to our website lately stop by and look around.  www.OnTheCity.org There you will start to catch the vision for how The City can make a ministry impact at your church.
Second, after viewing our website I recommend you join one of our church webinars.   This 60-75 minute tour inside The City will highlight our features and benefits plus show you how The City can uplift your church. There’s no cost to the webinar. No obligation.  Just an easy way for you to understand why churches are so excited about The City.   Don’t forget to invite your senior pastor and those pastors/leaders over small groups, outreach/assimilation, technology and administration.

So why are churches excited? Simply put; The City is a catalyst to building biblical community in your church.  It strengthens already healthy small groups and communities.  It is an easy yet powerful way for new-comers to assimilate into church life.  And it provides pastors and leaders with the tools to lead even better.  The City provides a natural way for people to minister to others.  Martin Luther called it “the priesthood of all believers”.  And when that happens ministry flourishes and God is glorified.

Here is a list of our upcoming webinars.   Please try to attend the webinar in your area.  However, if you cannot make one of those dates sign up for any of the webinars.

WEST US Churches – Friday, May 29 – 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PDT
WEST US Churches – Thurs, June 4 – 12:00 pm EST/9:00 am PDT
MIDWEST Churches – Mon, June 8 – 4:00 pm EST/1:00 pm PDT
MIDWEST, EAST OR CENTRAL (TX, OK, CO, AR, LA, KS, NM) – Tues, June 16 – 4:00 pm EST/1:00 pm PDT

CENTRAL Churches (TX, OK, CO, AR, LA, KS, NM) – Thurs, June 18 – 4:00 pm EST/1:00 pm PDT
CENTRAL, EAST Churches – Thurs, June 25 – 7:00 pm EST/4:00 pm PDT

EAST US Churches – Wed, July 8 – 12:00 pm EST/9:00 am PDT
EAST US Churches – Wed, July 15 – 1:00 pm EST/10:00 am PDT
Drop me an email and tell me which date you prefer.  Please include in your email the following information:
- your  name
- your church name
- average weekly attendance
- one line on your congregation demographics; ave age, types(family, singles, young married, elderly), technology use, urban/rural, etc.
- your city/state
- your phone and email

Feel free to contact me Herb.Hillabrand@zondervan.com or Eric Tuininga at Eric@OnTheCIty.org with your webinar RSVP and/or other comments on how we can help you.

Thanks for your ongoing interest in The City.  We look forward to serving you.

All best,

Herb Hillabrand
Vice President of Church Partnerships
The City by Zondervan
e. herb.hillabrand@zondervan.com
p. 616.656.71790

So what do you think? Are you going to check it out?

It’s interesting that they’d launch this new blitz and campaign without fixing their blog. I hope they use Wordpress.

If you guys need help, you can always get it here at ChurchCrunch and our community!

We like “Community Networking” and “Church Movement Software” too!

*UPDATE*

Below are the Registration Links to the Demos:

• Fri, May 29, 2009 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
• Thu, Jun 4, 2009 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT
• Mon, Jun 8, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT
• Tue, Jun 16, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT
• Thu, Jun 18, 2009 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM PDT
• Thu, Jun 25, 2009 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
• Wed, Jul 8, 2009 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PDT
• Wed, Jul 15, 2009 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT