Sylvanus

Ok, you're not Noah, neither are you Solomon, but lets just assume something with a little fancifullness:

If God asked you to build a church online, how would you go about it?

I know that there might be some disagreement on the validity of the virtuality (I hope there won't be), but in that assumption that it is a call from God, how would you make it happen to make it real?

DaveS

I think a good place and way to start is using the website stickam

Basically one person makes a room, with a camera and can talk. Others can join in with their cameras if they wish, but usually its just people talking. I can see that working as an online church.

__________________
Free Bible for Canadians:
http://www.freebibleforyou.org/

Sylvanus

Nice one Dave, thank you!!!!

How would you then structure your online church to translate it into real acts in real lives?
For example, would you make it live only at certain time on a sunday, so that, like a true-life church, all can fellowship at the same time?

Associate Chaplain

My first reaction is "WHY" ? There are way to many lazy people already who find every excuse possible not to attend CHURCH. Why give them one more excuse?

THIS IS JUST MY OPINION.

CSchultz

I suppose one could hook up credit card "swipers" to accept offerings provided that proper security measures were taken.
Perhaps "PayPal" would be involved.

Most printers than can handle cardstock would be able to dispense the communion wafers, however I havent figured out how to do the wine yet.

That could be a logistical nightmare.

[/SARC]

Sorry Sylvanus; no offence intended, but I personally dislike the concept very much.

I see the Internet as a great and powerful tool for Biblical research, study, even online classes....

but "Online Church"????

I think "True presence" is a necessary part of church.

As in Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

John S.

KJV Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

There are good and bad points to this, but I cannot in any manner believe that it is wrong, or not called of God. There cannot be the fellowship of being face-to-face with like-believers gathered together. But many may not be physically able to attend. And then there's the greater reach an internet church would have to any country that understands the language spoken.

It's not that strange a concept. Many, many churches already record and publish audio/video online to share the Word. There are 51 Million results in Google for Internet Church. What if there are no strong Bible-based churches in someones area for them to attend? What if they work shiftwork as I do and often are only off one weekend a month?

I think that it's no more absurd than this board is. We come here for fellowship, for worship, for encouragement. Why not? Are we not gathered together in His name here?

__________________
2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Vision

thats not good thing to say yeah because what about the people who cant go to church for big reasons.

if some guy was a christian and really wanted to go, but he found it too difficult because he had no legs and was disabled, and no1 to care for him.

CSchultz

Vision and John;
I do see both of your points, however wouldn't you agree that these are the responsibilities of the Pastors and Elders of the church?

My Monday's and Tuesdays are devoted to visitations, taking communion to the "shut-in" members, and often on Sunday afternoons officiating worship service at the retirement home, etc.

Perhaps this concept bothers me because it seems like a shortcut to fulfilling my responsibilities.

John S.

Yes, most definitely. If there is a church the person in question belonged to, and if the Pastors and Elders were doing their job. If not, the person in question is left out in the cold.

I don't see it as a threat or shortcut to your responsibilities, I see it more as a missionary to those who may not necessarily be in foreign countries. God bless you for your reaching beyond the walls of the church, all are not as dedicated.

__________________
2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10: Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Sylvanus

Thank you so far for the contribution to all of you

If I may reinstate some of the points of the opening post, since most of us understand the validity (or not) of an online church. Please notice I didn't say virtual church
By saying to make it real, I meant not for the online church to be exclusively online, but more like an place structured to bring real ppl to real worship, hence my first comment: Sorry if I am not clear enought