Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Virtual Church

"In the 21st century, time is short and, as John Westerhoff first recognized, this ecology is broken (Westerhoff 1972)."

The above quote is from Julie's article online listed for this session as suggested reading. I am focusing on this article as it resonated more with me than Sim Church did. Continuing on though, I find the quote she chose to include very telling of the entire reason the internet is such a booming place to begin with. It also leads into my first thought I have when people criticize online forms of church. Before the internet, people used to watch masses on television. Those masses were full length and in that regard I see a difference.

Even when I led a retreat for our confirmation class this past January, the kids were stressing over homework, sports, jobs, and other extracurriculars. If teens struggle so much with their time, what does it say for adults? I know of very few people who are less busy as they grow older.

"Without occasions for faith community members to meet, relationships diminish, outreach weakens, and God seems more distant." (Lytle)

Continuing with the teens again, a recurring theme is a strong feeling of disconnect between the God of the Bible and the God in their lives. Many of what churches develop to speak to teens are designed with good intentions, but have the unwanted effect of talking down to them, or feeling like adults are trivializing their problems. Maybe for some teens, an online church community would work better for them and aid in keeping them more connected to God. I think if the internet can be a source of pain for some (cyber bullying jumps to mind), these emergent church communities which are online can be utilized as a way to better engage with the youth in our congregations.

1 comment:

  1. Virtual Incarnations: The author, Julie Ann Lytle, brings up a critical point and one I also believe is something that should be considered when she explains that there is fear of engagement with others who could be misrepresenting themselves in virtual churches and other on line relationships. I think her rebuttal to this issue is pretty incredible when you think about it. Lytle explains that “With the exception of those who lived and walked with Jesus, most of humanity knows God and feels God's presence through ‘virtual incarnations.’” For me this is new way to look at my relation with Jesus.
    Lytle explains that the old way to do church was primarily to be physically present and to participate, not only on Sunday morning but also during the week and weekend. Bible study, faith sharing, prayer, healing and social functions were parts of the community of faith. It is clear that we have less time and stay stressed out trying to figure out how to get everything done.
    In a post-colonial and postmodern world Lytle explains it is no longer the case that people hang out at church because they have so much free time. Our lives are so demanding that often carving out time for regular church attendance is not an option. Because of this the church rolls are dwindling and people are no longer practicing their faith. Lytle explains that in response to this difficult situation church leaders are looking beyond the church walls in order to meet and support the needs of God’s people. Lytle explains that there is a systemic shift, and rather than assume that church will be conducted in the church building, people are exploring “internet-mediated” opportunities to create virtual spaces that will support and facilitate everything from Bible Study to virtual worship.

    I believe that as faith communities begin to fully explore virtual spaces, it is inevitable that communal and institutional understandings of what it means to be church will change

    I really like the metaphor “household of God.” Parsing the Greek root of economy (oikonomia oikonos), which means household, LaCugna suggests that we imagine the ultimate conclusion of the Christian story of salvation as the “household of God,” a more inclusive metaphor than the Kingdom of God.

    Julie Anne Lytle, Virtual Incarnations: An Exploration of Internet-Mediated Interaction as Manifestation of the Divine

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