On the way to church Sunday night we noticed red signs on the side of the road that said "Check out the next level of church!" We took down the web address, but forgot about it until today when I came across an interview on cnn.com with the pastor of this same on-line church. Apparently the "next level" refers to all worship done via the computer. The title for this video piece was "Community and Communion in Cyberspace."The first question asked was this: "How do you create the experience of worship in front of the computer?" The answer given is that the founders of lifechurch.tv were "...blown away by how people could worship along and have genuine community and connect in a very real way in an online church."
Second question: "What about the sacraments?" Answer: "We had to explore the best options, and what we actually do is have viewers go find some juice and crackers, and then participate in the Lord's supper with us."
Oh my. So much could be said about this. This seems like the latest development in the marketing of Jesus. How much more seeker-friendly can a church be? Just stay in your jammies and push pause if the phone rings or you get hungry for a snack. But at what cost? I don't deny that someone might hear a very good message through some on-line preaching, but isn't there too much in our lives already that is detached and impersonal? Can you imagine Christ instituting the Lord's supper via the internet?
What's next? Thanksgiving dinner where everyone eats in their own homes, but enjoys on-line fellowship as much (or as little) as they want? That's one way to avoid the annual holiday arguments with family members. :-)
As you stated SO much to be said about this...one of the biggest is what about the phsyical aspect of the body of Christ...the actual ministring to one another in our daily lives? When you are sick who is going to bring a meal by? Where do you go for that important hug when you need it, either as a comfort in sadness or just a joyful hello? Who will notice your tears when the Lord touches you through music or the word? Who will be there to physically lay their hands on you and pray with you when your heart is hurting? How do you learn the community aspect of participating in the offering together if it's all done online? Our God is a personal God. He came in the Flesh to save sinners. Our Holy God lived, walked, ate and slept amoungst sinners. Why, because He loves us. Why? Because He created us to live in community. Genesis makes that clear.
ReplyDeleteSigh...this news is really very sad to me, and yet, the Good news is Our God Reigns....
~Her :-)