The ‘Virtual’ Church Online Controversy

Posted by Dr.D | October 11, 2009 .

The final session at CWC-Christian Web Conference in September addressed a developing controversy: “The Great Debate: Church Online. As the conferees sat down to begin the session the following video was up on the screen:

Unfortunately Andrew Jones who was scheduled to speak in support of the Church Online was unable to attend. So in some respects the conversation from the front with Matthew Anderson and Dr. John Mark Reynolds leading the way seemed to me to degenerate into a rather one-sided critique though it was not really intended to be that way.

It ended up as a conversation between those in attendance with positive Church Online anecdotal experiences verses the theological and philosophical perspectives and underpinnings of Anderson and Reynolds—something nobody really planned and in some ways brought an unsatisfying conclusion to an otherwise excellent conference.

Nevertheless, the conversation on this issue continues online. The following are just a few articles that I have run across without really looking for them from some of the speakers at the conference:

1. First of all, here’s the opening address by Matthew Anderson: Blest Be the iTies that Bind: Thoughts From CWC on Online Church

2. Next some observations by Cynthia Ware of Digital Sanctuary:

“I’m still pondering the polarizing and controversial conversations that surfaced at the Christian Web Conference at Biola University. No easy answers but lots of questions. What are you thinking about when it comes to online church?”

In her article: “The Internet in Your Pew”, Cynthia provides a number of good links on this issue plus the comments are also valuable. She seems to be rather sympathetic to the developing Church Online but also concerned about the developing division in the church over this issue.

3. Third– a whole series of posts by Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts who presents his thoughts on the limitations and insufficiency of an ‘online church’ from the perspective of a former pastor who has made extensive use of the internet in his ministry:

“Is Online Church Really Church?”

In his first article, Rev. Roberts notes how surprised he was at the conference when he had a conversation with some who believed that an ‘Online Church’ was actually a valid church that could be sufficient:

“My initial response to one who advocated the sufficiency of online church was something like, “You’ve got to be kidding!” …

“Once I got beyond my initial surprise over the fact that somebody of apparent intelligence and integrity was making the case of the adequacy of online church, I thought it might be helpful to raise some objections. I thought my first one would euthanize the idea of online church once and for all. “How can you celebrate the sacraments?” I asked. “Surely you can’t have online communion, online baptism.”

“Why not?” my earnest interlocutor asked. “People do it all the time.”

4. Finally, several posts by an actual advocate of the Church Online- Paul D. Watson:

“The Grossest Misconception of Church Online”

“Church Online and the Lord’s Supper”

“Baptism and Church Online”

Conclusion: I came to the Conference with no experience at all with the ‘Church Online’ and still don’t have any. My initial reaction to the idea that sacraments including baptism (see video above) could be celebrated online was similar to Rev. Roberts—“you have got to be kidding”.

However, after attending a session on ‘Planting the Gospel in every population segment represented online” by Paul Watson I became excited about the prospects of reaching a bunch folks that may not be easily reached in any other way.

Also, after listening to several attendees talk about how they have been blessed by the Holy Spirit participating in an Online Church including sacraments, and how they have formed new satisfying relationships with folks in an Online Church environment, I am at least willing to give the whole thing the benefit of doubt even if I personally can’t see how it could or should replace what I would call ‘real churches’.

The technology is really in its infancy and those who have been called by God and inspired by the Holy Spirit to develop online churches and ministries should be encouraged to explore the limits and full potential of this new mission field no matter what they call it.