When Zondervan sent me a copy of 'SimChurch' by Douglas Estes (no relation) I assumed I was holding a book that encouraged traditional churches to update their decade-old websites and get their weekend services online. Boy was I wrong.
Apparently while I wasted time mastering Rock Band in my basement other nerds have been experimenting how to have a virtual expression of the Church. Since you are reading this book review online I’m assuming you may have some idea of what I’m referring to, but since I was so slow coming to the table, I’m going to take the time to describe what is happening.
Some people have ‘attended’ church for years by watching church programs on Sunday morning TV. This has been a good option for those who have limited transportation, social phobias or hygiene issues. It provides teaching, music, and even an opportunity to participate in an offering. However, this method of attending church has been criticized because it is impossible to build community or participate with other church members through your TV.
Viewing church services on the Internet is similar. It is mostly a passive experience, only the screen and delivery method has changed. A benefit to online church services is that they can be downloaded at the viewer’s discretion making it possible to attend the service, or at least hear the sermon, at any time during the week. A church can also provide the opportunity to download teaching notes, devotionals, make online giving possible, and advertise links to other church programs.
Virtual churches have made a major leap beyond what I just described. Community happens through the Internet; it just may not be the same definition of community that you grew up with. Each generation learns how it is going to connect with each other and technology is a major factor in that decision. The same can be said for churches. What the printing press, automobiles and air conditioning did to change the way society interacts, and the way churches meet, is happening again with the Internet. Whether or not you like the changes, it is here to stay. If a church wants to stay ahead of the curve, learning how to connect with this generation then they need to get plugged in. If, instead, they jump up and down on their pews, pound their pulpits and tip over the baptismal because they think their way of doing church is ‘right’ they need to remember that most churches through history have had none of the conveniences they just threw their temper tantrum trying to defend.
A virtual church is an online interface, often looking like an animated video game. People can even participate by creating an ‘avatar,’ a representation of themselves to interact with in the virtual world. The avatars typically have customizable features, allowing each person to express themselves in the virtual world in many of the same ways they choose to represent themselves in the real world. Those of you who haven’t played online games or interacted much with social media may find yourself very skeptic at this point. I certainly was when I realized that SimChurch was discussing expressions of community, and church that I had no experience with.
This book was not written by someone on the inside trying to state a case for their virtual gaming world or new church software. Douglas Estes is the pastor of a real, brick and mortar church in San Jose, California; he has a PhD in Theology and is an Adjunct Professor of the New Testament at Western Seminary. He has put together a very thought provoking study of this new expression and isn’t afraid to ask very specific, important questions:
- Is a virtual church a real, authentic, and valid expression of the Church of Jesus Christ?
- Can virtual community really work? How can virtual churches reenergize Christian community?
- Can avatars know God? Can the people of God experience spiritual growth as avatars?
- How will virtual churches change the way we ‘do’ church? Are virtual sacraments and other faith practices possible or valid (or just inevitable)?
- How should virtual churches relate to traditional authority? Can virtual churches harness the power of decentralization without further fractioning Christianity?
- How can virtual churches confront sin and brokenness in the virtual world? What are the ethical issues facing virtual churches?
- What must a church do to turn a jumble of digital content into an Internet campus? What are the ingredients of healthy, virtual-campus life?
- Can a virtual church be a missional church? How will virtual churches engage in various forms of ministry? What types of virtual ministries will arise?
- How will virtual churches build communities? Will they be global or local? What are the dangers associated with churches based on virtual social connectivity?
- Will virtual churches open up the Gospel to all people? What will virtual churches teach us about the nature of being the church?
The truth is some people are more present and participatory in a virtual church setting than many people who passively attended a brick and mortar church. Some people who attend normal churches find more significant relationships online than they do on Sunday mornings. And those who see themselves as missional need to recognize that there is a new world for them evangelize, a whole new continent where many people are living. How will we be the church with them?
Even if you never attend a church service in Second Life, or one of the other virtual platforms, I hope you will consider reading this book to help understand and engage with the world you are living in.
3 comments:
I'm glad you wrote this review, Chad. I don't usually comment on your reviews, but I do feel passionately about this one.
We as a people are so starved for positive, human touch and interactions. I worked with a gentleman yesterday, a borderline schizophrenic, who was so desperate for a positive, non-judging human interaction that he followed me around at my wellness info table because I was one of the only people who would engage him. (I felt the Lord telling me to be patient with him and to see what was on his mind, though it was a difficult exchange.) Now, not every interaction is "EGR" or "extra grace required," but finding real relationships, ones where people will look you into the eye and ask your accountability on something, is SO key to developing as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Many people have said they like what Jesus has to say, but that they "hate" his followers and just follow him alone. I say they're doing it wrong, at least partially, as Jesus was adamant about community. Yes, you can find "community" online, and indeed I now "talk" with many people who I would "never in a million years" talk to otherwise, but I have never had an intimate conversation with them, nor have I gotten a hug when I was in a spiritual valley from these people. "::Hugs:: Hope you feel btr soon. Gd bless," just doesn't cut it.
So the final verdict? If online church (lifechurch.tv, etc.) acts as a pathway for those who are unable to exit their homes and a gateway to get people over their "Christian" fears and get them involved, so be it. I'd rather have someone saved and non-communal than communal and headed for an eternity away from the Lord. Perhaps this is the Lord expanding our territory to assist us with the Great Commission. I would hope, however, that these online churches would make the recommendation that people get plugged into a local church body where they can serve "real" people (where "real" means in-the-flesh and in-person), study the Word with real people, take the bread and the cup with real people, shake hands with real people, and look real people in the eye. If they don't, this tells me they're in it for the money or to push their ideology. That would be my line in the sand for the efficacy of the online church. Show me how to get there, then tell me how to get real.
Peace,
Carrie
Hey Chad. I believe the online forum is not in lieu of, but in addition to church (a healthy model, at least). Social networking should not become a replacement for human interaction; it simply enhances our communication.
We have been participating in a “virtual expression of the Church” for years. I think back to when we launched the forums for VB, streaming the pastors conference, creating an online experience for members should they miss a Sunday, and listening to Dricoll’s and others messages through podcast.
I would also suggest that participation in social networking is just another form of online fellowship. Your blog is a method of reaching out to others and offering insight and teaching.
I believe that church is fellowship and community intentionally seeking God.
I don’t think it is a question of if church exists in cyberspace—it does, in traditional and emerging church models. Rather, what is the definition of church—can church exist outside of the relatively traditional four walls of organized or corporate church, and does the internet aid in proving the success and health of the emergent church.
…sounds like a book I would enjoy!
Good article on the subject. Well, mostly related anyway...
http://relevantmag.com/life/whole-life/features/18509-your-status-has-been-updated
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