Comments on: Can a virtual church be a “real” church?

By: Israel

Israel — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:12:51 +0000

Leadership is taught by Christ leadership abilities he shared as He walked this earth. Discipline comes from the Holy spirit who convicts us on a regular. “how are Elders raised up?” They are raised by the very hand of God. that is the problem now, many are called but few are actually choosen by God. Most of the time men are calling men. have faith is God sis. God is not restricted to a building because if he were we would all be lost because not many of us would have gotten there to save our own lives. The bible itself teaches you that “when two or more are gathered in His name He will be in the mist of them.” If God Himself is there by what other means is church classified by?

By: Israel

Israel — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:56:54 +0000

It is very interesting that this question was even thought of or even posted. I am glad it was. An virtual church is a good thing. Most of the time the church we call “the real church” is full of distractions most of witch are worldly. Just because you cant go into a visable building does not mean one cant be in church. People must first understand what church really is. We as the church have gotten so far away from the true church that we fail to recognize it when we see it. When Jesus came He did not say “oh, lets get a building first so that we may worship in.” True worship started right there wherever He was and so does church. Church is the communion between God and the believer, no matter where they may be. Saul on the road to demacus where he met up with God was a church experience because God was there. To say that a virtual church can not be real is to say that all the people in sick beds at home or in prisons or hopsitals can not be really saved because they have not been to the building yet. The church building is a place where the people of the curch have decides to gather in order to worship and fellowship in but as far as having a true relationship with God it must start with YOU and God. Not with the pastor,decons,sisters or brothers of the church,grandparents, mothers nor fathers but with God who is able to give you the true church you seek. The virtual church is just another extention of the loving arms of God reaching out to those who will not be reached by the church people in the building we call church. God will leave no one out, he will leave no stone unturned in order to find one who has not the Good News of Jesus the Christ our Lord. Remember this my beloved, when God returns He will not look for you in the building but He will look for you in HIS heart and hopefully there is where He will find you. Seek Him by all means possible while He may be found and He will reveal Himself to you.

loving all of Gods children with knowledge and understanding:

Israel

By: Mireille

Mireille — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:27:23 +0000

I feel so grateful to have found this discussion! My husband and have found (and are building) Christian community online that is caring and uplifting – and that leads us to face some difficult questions about what church really is and how we can express our faith in new ways with new people. These are old questions and ones that must be faced by all churches today as the landscape of life changes in the postmodern world.

The online environment highlights the interpersonal difficulties that many of us experience in real-life fellowship and worship but at the same time it removes many barriers and makes possible the kind of openness and sharing for which we long. Our experience to date is a very positive one and we know several individuals who have been served by the gospel online – and some of them might never have “darkened the door” of a traditional church. The timing differential alone makes attendance at worship and fellowship opportunities possible for those whose daily work and lives are hectic or chaotic; and besides, we’re online anyway working – why not take a spiritual break and find peace and nourishment in the same manner? Moreover, online church and pastoral services may be available around the clock – and at least somewhat more readily accessible, no matter where one lives, no matter what language one speaks, no matter what one’s present beliefs or needs.

Like most societal change, there is a sense of threat to the former way of doing things. However, when it comes to church, the virtual campus and experience does not wholly supplant the real-time, real-life church. On the contrary, it supplements it and brings it into a new realm of outreach that is NEEDED in this digital age. Many of those who attend online church with us also regularly attend a brick-and-mortar church too, and most of them report that their spiritual growth and development has advanced by this dual exposure to God’s word and Christian fellowship.

I look forward to the future with hope in my heart…and a computer in my lap!

Blessings to all…

By: Ñ‚Ñ‹Ð¸Ñ

Ñ‚Ñ‹Ð¸Ñ — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 11:40:24 +0000

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:20:53 +0000

As a minister that has used the Internet to reach people I agree with those that there are real ministry experiences that take place online. There is much more that we have to do to be able to fully replicate the experience of attending a physical church, however, having said that let me also say that there are many people that can be and are being reached via the Internet. Personally, as a minister for more than 20 years I know all too well of people that are not saved, not seeking, home bound, not able to attend a church or will not because they have been hurt and abused by pastoral leaders and false prophets, leaders that use scripture to rein and control church members, fanaticism, and power/money hungry preachers. These people need someone to reach out to them and make ministry available, to let them know Christ loves them, desires a relationship with them and that they can be healed. God wants them to know HIM regardless of the means. The numbers regarding church attendance shows that the church (physical) is losing members year upon year. Last remember the word church used in the Bible is Ekklesia it does not refer to a building with a steeple it refers to those called out, assembled, and includes any gathering of people in a common place to discuss, conduct meetings and/or worship. Also remember we are the body 1Cor. 12 – each member has it place and function.

By: Stephen M Young II

Stephen M Young II — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:58:36 +0000

There is an excellent blog dedicated to these very questions, bob and moxie. It’s called Reaching the Online Generation. I am not sure if I can put urls on the comments, so just google that and maybe the name Paul Watson.

By: Stephen M Young II

Stephen M Young II — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:56:45 +0000

It sounds like from this blog, some people are confusing the worship service with church. Of course there is very little interaction in a “worship service.” That is a problem in real world church too. But the internet is full of ways for the church to interact. Bulliten boards, facebook, twitter, skype, email, chat, private messages, online gaming, etc. Heck, I get a lot low-key but critical interaction on the internet.

I admit I am not involved in an online church and don’t know what it would look like, but I am involved in online networks and keep up with family and friends all over the world this way. Why wouldn’t that work in the church?

By: moxie

moxie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:43:21 +0000

Some more…How does Acts 1 & 2 get replicated online? How does an online “church” recover authentic Christianity, such as in the first 3 or so centuries after Christ? Be careful of the images you put before your eyes!

By: moxie

moxie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:37:53 +0000

I couldn’t agree with Bob Hyatt more! And what about the sacraments? How does one get baptized online? How does one receive Holy Communion online? There are already enough social networks where individuals can communicate openly, be responded to, pray for one another, but it is a limited tool. Using the internet as a tool is fine, but to use it as Church, in my opinion, cheapens His grace. I keep thinking about shut-ins, but, being semi-home-bound myself, I wouldn’t dream of going online for Church! And when it’s suggested that it’s easier to be honest about one’s self, open up more, take more risks (what ever that means), how do you not know it’s just easier for that person to paint a picture of who he wants to be? After all, you don’t know. What does it mean to take online risks? I don’t understand how that is measured or how one is held to accountability. It saddens my heart to think that there are some who would consider reducing Church to online fetters.

By: bob hyatt

bob hyatt — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:14:29 +0000

The issue isn’t simply “fellowship”- It’s also about equipping, about worship and a whole host of other things I mentioned.
Again- how does the online church create leadership? How are elders equipped and raised up? How do people explore what their spiritual gift is and receive feedback both positive and negative?
Yes- you can pray with someone in second life- that’s good. But what you can’t do is disciple them. And you certainly can’t discipline them And, as I argue- without those components, you don’t actually have the Church.

Comments on: Can a virtual church be a “real” church?

By: Israel

By: Israel

By: Mireille

By: Ñ‚Ñ‹Ð¸Ñ

By: Frank

By: Stephen M Young II

By: Stephen M Young II

By: moxie

By: moxie

By: bob hyatt

By: Ñ‚Ñ‹Ð¸Ñ