What’s Your Reaction to This Reaction?
I just came across a slew of articles I’m reviewing on the future of the “virtual church.” Needless to say, people are talking and reactions are mixed.
A recent poll from the Leadership Journal shows, in fact, that people aren’t sure what to make of the idea of having church online. Here’s a poll I participate in recently at the Journal:
Honestly, these results surprised me. I realize two things:
- This poll is unscientific.
- This poll is anecdotal.
Most of the people engaging in this poll either love the idea of an online church or they hate it. Where do you stand?
I’d love to re-create this poll on BeDeviant. So, in the comments, note your selection and perhaps a few words on why.
The question: What’s your reaction to the virtual church trend?
The answers:
- Excitement. Anything to reach the lost.
- Optimism. Finally, an affordable way to grow.
- Caution. Let’s see what happens.
- Confusion. Is it really church?
- Repulsion. How low can we go?
- None of the above. You don’t like pre-determined answers and want to come up with your own.
So … What do you think?
I have to understand exactly what an online church is before I can decide if I like it or not. Is everything online including the worship gatherings or is it a place where I can also connect with fellow parishioners online as I could face-to-face?
The poll stayed about the same as more people participated: http://dannyjbixby.blogspot.com/2010/01/virtual…
Throw me into the #1 category…
Cool, Danny. Good job.
Mostly confusion..
Is it church, or is it a door to the church?
There's something about physical presence that can't be replaced. When Jesus healed people, there was always an element of physical touch. He didn't have to do it that way.. He could've healed people thousands of miles away, but He didn't. He chose to heal those that he literally touched. Or those that touched Him.
It's scary to me, because there are ALWAYS more than enough people around us to minister to. Do we go online because it's easier? Someone at Urbana mentioned the fact that current Christianity is trying to make Christians as fast, as efficient, and as easy as we can. It struck a chord in me. Why are we moving online when we haven't even conquered our own communities for Christ?
I'm not putting down church online. I think it can have great value. But when it comes at the cost of the people you are physically with, it becomes a danger. The Virtual world is easy because it's not as messy. Jesus calls us messiness, though.
This is definitely a tough one. A year ago, I would have said #5. Now I am moving up the ranks at a solid #4. I can see the positives for sure, and I can also see the negatives. The traditionalist in me says “no way” and the progressive in me says “bring it on”.
I think you've brought up a very important topic in regards to faith and church in this country. This argument will NOT go away – that I can be sure of.
As someone who was very much entrenched in the innovation of Church Online at LifeChurch.tv, I would say I am Cautiously Optimistic.
Cautious because many churches are delving into this realm with little thought, little resources, and little staff. There are still big questions that must be answered as we start to throw our content to the world, questions like:
1. Are we being contextual?
2. Are we supporting the online attendees, with prayer, accountability, ways to connect, et cetera?
3. Is it taking away from the focus on the parishioners already in the pews? Or the community the Church is in?
4. Are we spreading our message to thin by trying to communicate globally, instead of locally?
One thing is for sure, a church that does not have the staff or budget for these endeavors should be very cautious of venturing into this space. Case in-point: LifeChurch.tv has 5 full-time staff-members dedicated to the running of their Church Online, and utilizes a slew of volunteers, and by slew I mean 30+ people who are dedicated to running the Online experiences each week for 52 weeks!!
I am optimistic, because the potential to minister to a vast amount of people is a relevant ministry objective. Though, we must be cautious as to not sell a cheap gospel, and even cheaper grace, by diluting the messages to reach the masses.
Another question to ask is this –> Who is watching?
Caution for sure. I mean…Jesus says we'll know a tree by the fruit it prodcues, yes??? It seems silly to me to pass judgment before we can see the fruit.
Sam,
I think your last question is critical. My gut tells me it is either people who are too frustrated with or to lazy to attend a local church in their community and/or other ministry leaders from around the country looking for new ideas.
I am sure there is a small minority of people who are genuinely just checking out the church online first (as a front door) which is good, but I do not see how an online experience, devoid of “presence” is sustainable for someone's spiritual growth. However, I definitely feel that it could contribute… so I am #3 cautious.
Generally speaking I'm optimistic because
a) online churches can reach people with the gospel that offline churches are missing
b) online churches can lead people to connect with offline churches
c) online churches will bring about innovative new ways to worship, connect people, disciple that can be utilized by offline churches
But I react with #3 Caution and #4 Confusion at times because I believe that being a part of an offline church is better than being a part of an online church for the reasons explained here – http://bit.ly/6YXLoM
In just about any church, the point is (or hopefully SHOULD be) to reach out to others, inviting them to encounter the love of Christ, and let Him change their lives, first through salvation itself and then through growing in their faith. Believers are encouraged to reach out and serve others around them while spreading the news of the Gospel.
This all happens every week through Church Online at LifeChurch.tv, and I am on the 5-person team to which duregger referred. People from 180 countries around the world hear the message and are encouraged to begin (or grow in) their relationship with Jesus.
There are over 200 volunteers who serve at 37 online experiences per week, and more experiences are planned. There is a sense of community among those volunteers as well as the regular attenders. In fact, this week an online volunteer was asked to come and speak at the funeral of a regular online attender, even though they had never met in person. It was a powerful experience.
So is it a church? I believe so, yes. And I'm very excited about it.
Mostly confusion..
Is it church, or is it a door to the church?
There’s something about physical presence that can’t be replaced. When Jesus healed people, there was always an element of physical touch. He didn’t have to do it that way.. He could’ve healed people thousands of miles away, but He didn’t. He chose to heal those that he literally touched. Or those that touched Him.
It’s scary to me, because there are ALWAYS more than enough people around us to minister to. Do we go online because it’s easier? Someone at Urbana mentioned the fact that current Christianity is trying to make Christians as fast, as efficient, and as easy as we can. It struck a chord in me. Why are we moving online when we haven’t even conquered our own communities for Christ? When we haven’t served our communities to the very best of our (and Christ’s) abilities?
I’m not putting down church online. I think it can have great value. But when it comes at the cost of the people you are physically with, it becomes a danger. The virtual world is easy because it’s not as messy. Jesus calls us to messiness, though.
Awesome
“This argument will NOT go away – that I can be sure of.” Amen to that. Thanks for lending your voice, Buddy!
<html><head></head><body style=”word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; “>My guess is the ambiguity adds to the fear that people feel.
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<div class=”AppleOriginalContents”><div>On Jan 11, 2010, at 9:35 AM, Disqus wrote:</div>
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Erik Carlson wrote:
I have to understand exactly what an online church is before I can decide if I like it or not. Is everything online including the worship gatherings or is it a place where I can also connect with fellow parishioners online as I could face-to-face?
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<html><head></head><body style=”word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; “>Amanda! Thank you so much for sharing what it's like at LifeChurch.<div>
</div><div>I think if nothing else, the sheer numbers needed to pull of the Internet Campus proves that there is community around it! The number of people needed to make it happen is the size of a medium church!</div><div>
</div><div>I love what you guys are up to. Thanks for sharing with us here!</div><div>
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<div class=”AppleOriginalContents”><div>On Jan 11, 2010, at 12:57 PM, Disqus wrote:</div>
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amandasims <amanda.sims@lifechurch.tv> wrote:
In just about any church, the point is (or hopefully SHOULD be) to reach out to others, inviting them to encounter the love of Christ, and let Him change their lives, first through salvation itself and then through growing in their faith. Believers are encouraged to reach out and serve others around them while spreading the news of the Gospel.
This all happens every week through Church Online at LifeChurch.tv, and I am on the 5-person team to which duregger referred. People from 180 countries around the world hear the message and are encouraged to begin (or grow in) their relationship with Jesus.
There are over 200 volunteers who serve at 37 online experiences per week, and more experiences are planned. There is a sense of community among those volunteers as well as the regular attenders. In fact, this week an online volunteer was asked to come and speak at the funeral of a regular online attender, even though they had never met in person. It was a powerful experience.
So is it a church? I believe so, yes. And I'm very excited about it.
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Excitement. Anything to reach the lost
Caution. I think there is a place for it. The live streaming of the Christmas Eve service was great for those of us who couldn't get enough – and for those who may not have been able to get out. That could be me someday. Caution because I believe people need to be physically connected to a church and emotionally connected to the members to realize the whole experience of worship and wonder.
2.5 Cautiously optimistic.
Pros: More people can be reached almost effortlessly.
Elderly, handicapped, those with social anxiety, etc. can join in without inconvenience.
A very large community could be built rapidly.
If simply viewing a sermon or teaching, it could be done when convenient.
Non-threatening for non-believers.
Cons: Anonymity could cause problems with authenticity. (but not necessarily)
No physical interaction, which some people need.
If it became a huge movement, many people could end up treating it like another thing they
do on a daily basis and could take it or leave it on a whim because of the convenience
factor, but not something that really changes their life, again because of no real
community interaction.
Overall, though, this could be a great thing for believers and non believers alike. Still in early stages, it will have to develop over time like everything else. So many think that we have to meet at a church building still. Why pay for a building and maintenance, etc. if we can change lives for just the cost of a website?
Just my 37cents.
Excitement. (But not “Anything to reach the lost.”
Rather, anything to get away from Christians!)
Praise the Lord!
37? Awesome. That's like, a phone call's more than the two we normally require!
Justa … You just became a favorite commenter. Congrats
37? Awesome. That's like, a phone call's more than the two we normally require!
Justa … You just became a favorite commenter. Congrats