More on the Virtual Church
Does someone really want to make the argument that a group of individuals meeting virtually in SimCity is a biblical church? Apparently. See this article about pastor Douglas Estes's new book, SimChurch: Being the Church in the Virtual World. Thankfully, the article includes a healthy critique by a Portland, Oregon pastor who doesn't buy it: "The worship, equipping, and discipling ministries of the church simply can’t take place through the internet. Pieces of them can, but eventually the jump has to be made," he said. "A truly biblical Church requires that we heed the biblical call of Hebrews 10 to not give up gathering together and being present to one another in real, actual life." Well said.
I think the comments of Bob Hyatt, pastor of the Evergreen Community in Portland, Ore., get right at the heart of the issue. Speaking to the issue of whether separated individuals who, nonetheless, simultaneously gather online constitutes a biblical community, Hyatt writes:
"And whether people are actually meeting together – that is, whether you and me watching the same video stream, silently reading the comments in the chat room as we sip our individual portions of grape juice and eat crackers, rises to the level of 'ecclesia' and the picture of Acts 2:42 – has yet to be determined."
Then Hyatt nails the issue: "In other words, I have yet to be convinced that simultaneity equals community."
Pretty good insight, even from a guy from Oregon.
Posted by: Tony Higgins | Nov 3, 2009 6:07:27 AM
do you really think that the way to convince people of your point of view is to be condescending?
Posted by: luke macdonald | Nov 3, 2009 8:55:20 AM
Luke,
I'm not sure to whom your comments are addressed--to mine or to Aaron's original post.
If to mine, are you referring to the tag line, "Pretty good insight, even from a guy from Oregon."? If so, that comment was meant as a slight "inside joke" to Aaron (don't know if he got it, or not); he's from Oregon.
If your comments refer to the original post made by Aaron, I'm not sure I follow you. Are you saying Aaron's original post is condescending?
Blessings,
Tony
Posted by: Tony Higgins | Nov 4, 2009 4:00:39 AM