Strategic Digital Outreach

Cyber-Church?

JollyBlogger recently had some thoughts about the validity of a cyber-church concept in which believers would “meet” together as a church in cyberspace and not in physical places.

Let’s just not confuse the cyber-community with real Christian community.  We need the incarnational, fleshly, sensual elements to be a real church and a real Christian community. 

If JollyBlogger is correct, and I think he is, then what does that say about web evangelism efforts that are not born out of real Christian community? What does that say about web evangelism that does not result in new believers participating in authentic Christian community?

I try to always keep in mind that the ideal (although it’s not always possible, in creative access nations for example) is that people come to Christ through exposure to authentic, face-to-face Christian community and that our web evangelism efforts are most effective when they are introducing unbelievers to that authentic, face-to-face Christian community.

Posted by on 03/22 at 12:25 PM
The Collective Voice!
David Posthuma continues the discussion:

I defintiely think there is a place for the reality-church and the cyber-church...in fact, I think there should be a convergence of the two...they are both crucial to effective ministry in today’s culture.

My biggest hang-up with the reality-church is that the vast majority of off-line churches are not “real”.  They are shows and programs.  The “Church” is the body of believers in Christ, not our buildings, programs and weekly shows.  In cases when cyber-ministry enables the body of Christ to meet together and grow in Christ together in relationship, then we have authentic Christ-centered community. In those cases where we have masses of people meeting in a building watching a programmed show, I believe we fail to have authentic Christ-centered community.

If the reality-church would become more “real”, then I believe fewer people would search for Christ online.  But until that day comes, I believe the #1 way to do the work of evangelism and discipleship in our current culture is through cyber-ministry methodologies.

contributed on 04/09 at 06:52 AM
continues the discussion:

David:

Thanks so much for your comment.

I agree with a lot of what you say about “reality-church” (never heard it put that way!). Personally, my wife and I believe in a house church cluster model.

While I believe that online interaction can supplement and even facilitate face-to-face community, I am convinced that face-to-face community is the ideal and should be pursued aggressively. Some of the ways in which that ideal should be pursued involve addressing the inadequacies of the traditional model of church, some of which you have mentioned in your comment.

I guess I look at online community with a certain amount of reservation, primarily because if I don’t like what you say to me, it’s much easier for me “turn you off” in an online environment than it is in a face-to-face encounter. Does that mean we shouldn’t pursue online community? No, of course not. But I think we need to fashion online community opportunities in such a way that they encourage ongoing face-to-face encounters.

I do agree that online aspects of ministry are crucial in today’s environment. I also am obviously a big fan of digital evangelism. I just believe that online encounters should lead to face-to-face relationship whenever possible.

Thanks again for your contribution! I’d definitely be interested in hearing any further thoughts you have.

contributed on 04/10 at 08:53 AM
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