I was listening to a friend of mine who had just returned from a church conference. The local pastor was boasting that they have about 400 active members in church for any given service and another 2-3,000 online. He said that online was the future of their church. How scary is that?
Church cannot be experienced through a computer screen. Church is not a service it is people. The concept of a virtual church eclipses the very reason for the creation of the church. Jesus did not send a virtual version of himself. It was He, in the flesh. Col 1 tells us in verse 15 that “15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Jesus didn’t cop out. Neither should you.
A virtual church eliminates all the benefits of the local church yet scratches the right itch. Church is about community, accountability, friendship, teaching, preaching, corporate worship, interaction and love realized. It’s easy enough to hide behind our own epidermis, how much easier is it to hide behind a computer screen.
Psalm 92:12-15
12The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. 13 They are planted in thhouse of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, 15 to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
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2 comments:
I saw a new clip last week about "drive-in church" in Portland where people can enjoy church on their way to vacation, picnics, etc. Everyone seemed to love sitting in their car without any interaction.
We feel strongly enough about community at Tree of Life Church that we have a meal together each Sunday as part of the service. When I go to other churches I feel like church is incomplete because there is no way to take the time to really interact and fellowship with others.
As Fatima said in one comment, we should have "raw love" - I like that term - it implies love that has no protective barrier between people. And that translates to loving people completely unlike yourself, people who might make us uncomfortable. Most of us won't invite those people over for dinner, but a church meal will offer an opportunity to interact and begin a relationship.
So I'm with you, Nathan, virtual church is virtually a no-no.
Right on Nathan...echurch allows people to do their "Christian Duty" while actually creating "Christian Dootie". If there is no social aspect, then what is church?? The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus couldn't separate loving God from loving people - who are we to make that separation?
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