Obviously, we at the Connect Our People blog are interested in web 2.0 for churches.  This is what we do, after all, and we like to see discussions of the need for it as well as what others are offering.

However, I've noticed that "Church 2.0" can mean different things to different people.  I'm going to offer some things I have found in searches of the web.  I'll keep linking minimal at this point because I would like feedback from commenters on what they have found in the categories below, as well as any different categorization they might recommend.  Have I missed anything?  Have I been too simplistic?  Have I overcomplicated what is out there?

Church 2.0 as analogy for new way of doing church

The first thing I want to notice is that I think I've found places were "Church 2.0" means something about the church that uses web terminology mainly as an analogy for a next generation phenomenon.  This could apply to the "emerging church" or the "emergent church" (the differences between them are important but I constantly forget which is which), or some other form of church culture, even some variant of "purpose-driven" churches or remade "megachurch" ministry.

The complicating problem here is that sometimes this definition can include an interest in using web tools.  Still, the stress is on a new kind of church, which is related to the old like the way web 2.0 is related to web 1.0.  Here is what I think is a case in point.

Church 2.0 as churches using Web 2.0 apps

I have in mind here blogs telling pastors to use google docs or flickr etc.  While these sometimes do point out collaborative features, I personally get the feeling that these recommendations belong more to "free apps" kind of recommendations that could be made to any office environment.  This doesn't mean they're not helpful.  They are, in fact, very helpful.  The use of the net continues to expand and I'm sure that there are pastors and church workers getting onto the web for the first time and discovering what is out there.  The only real guidance available is the kind that springs up from bloggers and other web writers who think of these people and make recommendations.

Church 2.0 as distinctive Web 2.0 tools for specific functions for churches

I've been surprised by how many times Church 2.0 is used to label generic apps (like google tools) rather than sites and tools aimed at specific churches.  In fact, the only two I remember finding are sermon cloud (which I discovered through the Reformissionary ) and  Cross connector (which allows for online planning of mission trips).  Frankly, I would like to see more of these things, and I can't help wonder if they are out there but i just haven't found them yet.

Church 2.0 as a philosophy and practice (with necessary tools) of web ministry

This gets to the heart, I think, of web 2.0 and the church.  Here, I've noticed a couple of different possible emphasis (though they complement each other well).

Outreach

There seems to be a great deal written about web 2.0 and church outreach.  Web 2.0 is used primarily to get "netizens" involved in interacting with members of the church.  One finds great ideas about fulfilling the outreach demanded by the

Congregational (or larger unit) community building

This is where Connect our People's community-building system fits in.  The emphasis here is on a safe and private way to build community within the congregation.

This doesn't mean that it can't be used for outreach.  It can, just as those who emphasize outreach are probably just as adept at building community.  For one thing, Connect Our People, as a collaborative ASP (application service provider) allows congregations to collaborate on outreach.  Also, integration of visitors into a congregations Connect Our People system can be a way of integrating them into the life of the congregation.