Fascinating discussion going on today at the Internet Evangelism Coalition list. Can one be discipled online?
John O’keefe at ginkworld.net, an incredibly cool site, had this to say:
at what point is face to face needed? required? to live a life “in a bubble” called “virtual space” means little if there is not community developed – how can i pick you up and help dust you off if the only way i can speak with you is in a chat room, or in a email? how can you help me with a daily struggle to keep right with God, if all i have is a avatar and text messaging? i have actually heard people who run internet ministries say things like “if Jesus was doing ministry today, he would be on the net and not in the streets.” i always laugh at that one :D. you see, i believe for a ministry to be a ministry there needs to be a human touch element. the internet is simply the “phone of the future” – even if you make a call, to get together is the way we hang
if a person “accepts Christ” online, what human follow-up is there? what human contact is there? the idea is not to “tag and run” because at that point we become no better then jimmy bakker and the tlc crowd – taking names and money but nothing else. it is one thing to know about “sally who accepted christ” – but what happened to her? what church is she at? how is she growing? if any ministry can not answer those questions – in my view – they are not truly adding to the kingdom – because, in my theology, simply accepting Christ is not enough – one must live in community, put their faith into action and grow in what it means to be a follower. “tag, your it” theology is not very cool
i minister to the emerging/evolving culture – and we do it very well – and one of the things we in the emerging/evolving are shouting for is “touch.” i have nothing against online stuff – i met my wife online, but we needed to meet to actually get the whole thing going
pax
john
I agree with John Naisbitt that as we become more “high tech,” we will crave more “high touch” relationships. That’s why I think “virtual church” is an oxymoron.
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January 31, 2007 at 08:45
John O’keefe had some very valid points too add to make one aware that there would be some sites out there that could just get carried away with racking up the salvation responses. But having said this, dont let any body be discouraged from trying to “touch” somebody online cause it just may be the right way to introduce some one to Christ that would not normally have had that opportunity. The internet and technology is God’s invention and there are great ways people can get God’s word through it. I speak with authority as I would have been dead in the water (spiritualy speaking) if I didnt have mp3 sermons on line until I found my church. (took 2 yrs)
January 31, 2007 at 13:09
As a Christian I enjoy being in a more high tech world that has made the entire globe accessible.
Like anything there are positives and negatives.
There are ugly websites devoted to a truly passionate purpose and their are professionally designed sites that are merely marketing engines and believe Christianity is just another ‘niche’.
I grew up in a small town so I was very limited to types of churches in my local community.
I now live in a much larger community but find many of the churches filled with lots of small clicks out for their own rewards.
The internet provides a way to be in contact with any Christian on the planet, to reach people in ways we could have never done before and hear messages that touch our lives that we might never have been able to experience.
January 31, 2007 at 18:17
There is no substitute for direct physical connections to a body of believers to grow in Christ. But in a lot of cases (mine included) online supplements from other ministries sure help. It’s like, “eat a good whole food diet but take vitamin supplements.” However, you can’t live on supplements alone. I particularily enjoy Bill Johnson’s words on http://www.ibethel.org/.
February 1, 2007 at 13:57
Jesus Christ is such an awesome God that if a person accepts God via the internet, I know that he is capable of taking care of that soul. God is able to send a willing worker to whom ever and where his children are. Did he not do this in the New Testament with Paul? Give God more credit and allow him to use the different resources that he has allowed man to create. There are thousands of people praying everyday and God answered those prayers, by saving souls through the many means.
If God speaks to a soul through the inter net the He will surely take care of his child. Just have faith in his capabilities.
February 1, 2007 at 15:00
Linda, I agree. When it comes to preaching the gospel let’s use all the means we have including the internet. But when it comes to discipling, which is the question here, eventually they are going to have to connect with a group of believers in person…because if they don’t, it’s hard to develop real accountability, real modeling and real worship. As you said, God is capable of sending a willing worker to wherever they are. But let’s not pretend people can survive on an exclusive diet of internet church, internet worship, internet fellowship and diciplship. It’s great as a supplement, but not a substitute.