Comments on: The Grossest Misconception of Church Online http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/ An Initiative of CityTeam Ministries Mon, 12 Jul 2010 02:11:59 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Cullen Saucier http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1220 Cullen Saucier Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:02:22 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1220 Great points and Great examples, I am a part of our Churchs' online volunteer community and have seen so many people find that connection to God and His people Online and seen them interact and help each other out in so many ways Offline. I strongly agree that Online Church is such a great part of our Offline Church community, we are bringing the Word out of our four walls and taking it to the World. We are reaching people and helping them in ways I could have never imagined. I attend Church every Sunday with my family and Wednesdays during the year, but I attend online as a volunteer to help out at least two more times a week, and all are rewarding but Offline is were I fill up my tank for the week ahead, and Online is where I get to see that tank spill over onto others who either would not, or have not had the chance to go to Offline Church. Both are awesome to me and lives are being changed in both everyday, so I see no reason for any argument. Online Church works Online and Offline period. In my humble opinion!!! Great points and Great examples, I am a part of our Churchs' online volunteer community and have seen so many people find that connection to God and His people Online and seen them interact and help each other out in so many ways Offline. I strongly agree that Online Church is such a great part of our Offline Church community, we are bringing the Word out of our four walls and taking it to the World. We are reaching people and helping them in ways I could have never imagined.

I attend Church every Sunday with my family and Wednesdays during the year, but I attend online as a volunteer to help out at least two more times a week, and all are rewarding but Offline is were I fill up my tank for the week ahead, and Online is where I get to see that tank spill over onto others who either would not, or have not had the chance to go to Offline Church. Both are awesome to me and lives are being changed in both everyday, so I see no reason for any argument.

Online Church works Online and Offline period. In my humble opinion!!!

]]> By: Mary Beth http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1219 Mary Beth Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:36:19 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1219 Hey Paul, I posted the story about Bill's heart attack/surgery and the benefit of prayer from my online community here <a href="http://marybethstockdale.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/578/" target="_blank">http://marybethstockdale.wordpress.com/2009/12/26...</a> Another example of online ministry that was a blessing to me. Hey Paul, I posted the story about Bill's heart attack/surgery and the benefit of prayer from my online community here http://marybethstockdale.wordpress.com/2009/12/26... Another example of online ministry that was a blessing to me.

]]> By: danohlerking http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1218 danohlerking Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:22:37 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1218 ok i don't know where i've been, but i'm really happy to have found this (via NicCharalambous - thx dude). you've said it well. online church seems to be so intimidating to so many offline church people. i think it is a tradition for many of us in church to despise what we do not understand. but, thank God there are the Brandon Donaldsons, Bobby Gruenewalds, Nic Charalambouses, and others who are helping blaze a trail into online church. such a perfect example you give, paul, in your response earlier - why do we need more types of churches? different varieties of people wil be reached by more varieties of churches. it isn't that baptists and methodists must compete. there's plenty of people yet to be reached, and that's why we're doing online church at healing place church. it's not about those who are already in church. it is for those who are not yet here. there are those who don't come to church, those who won't come to church, and those who can't come to church. so for all of those, whatever their reason - by ALL means, let's take church to them. thanks for posting this. i'm so glad to have found your site. i'll be back for more... :-) ok i don't know where i've been, but i'm really happy to have found this (via NicCharalambous – thx dude). you've said it well. online church seems to be so intimidating to so many offline church people. i think it is a tradition for many of us in church to despise what we do not understand. but, thank God there are the Brandon Donaldsons, Bobby Gruenewalds, Nic Charalambouses, and others who are helping blaze a trail into online church.

such a perfect example you give, paul, in your response earlier – why do we need more types of churches? different varieties of people wil be reached by more varieties of churches. it isn't that baptists and methodists must compete. there's plenty of people yet to be reached, and that's why we're doing online church at healing place church. it's not about those who are already in church. it is for those who are not yet here.

there are those who don't come to church, those who won't come to church, and those who can't come to church. so for all of those, whatever their reason – by ALL means, let's take church to them.

thanks for posting this. i'm so glad to have found your site. i'll be back for more… :-)

]]> By: grace_c http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1145 grace_c Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:41:13 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1145 No matter what medium we use, if the Word of God goes forth then people's lives can be touched. Blessings, Grace No matter what medium we use, if the Word of God goes forth then people's lives can be touched.

Blessings,
Grace

]]> By: Grace Cuthbertsson http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1143 Grace Cuthbertsson Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:05:54 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1143 No matter what medium we use, if the Word of God goes forth then people's lives can be touched. I just wanted to let you know that I now have a Facebook page with video-recorded sermons based on the Word of God, and I hope they bring people to Jesus. You can me on Facebook under the name of "Grace Cuthbertsson" (be sure you type two "s"). Blessings, Grace No matter what medium we use, if the Word of God goes forth then people's lives can be touched.

I just wanted to let you know that I now have a Facebook page with video-recorded sermons based on the Word of God, and I hope they bring people to Jesus. You can me on Facebook under the name of "Grace Cuthbertsson" (be sure you type two "s").

Blessings,
Grace

]]> By: Grace http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1101 Grace Sun, 04 Oct 2009 13:48:46 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1101 I am heavily involved in online missions work, and as an "online missionary," I do not plant churches. Instead, I have a missions outpost on Second Life virtual world that offers a place to pray, free Bibles and Bible studies, I lead a weekly discussion group to encourage others, and then I go out into the "highways and biways" of the SL virtual community and share Jesus with others. There are tens of thousand of people who log in to Second Life every day, and there are real people with real souls behind those avatars. I feel that God has called me to reach out to those in this online community who may never darken the door of a church. In real life, I remain a faithful member of my own local church, seeking the support and accountability of offline ministry, which I think is vital to my walk with the Lord. If you're ever in Second Life, please look me up. My avatar's name is Grace Cuthbertsson. God bless you! I am heavily involved in online missions work, and as an "online missionary," I do not plant churches. Instead, I have a missions outpost on Second Life virtual world that offers a place to pray, free Bibles and Bible studies, I lead a weekly discussion group to encourage others, and then I go out into the "highways and biways" of the SL virtual community and share Jesus with others. There are tens of thousand of people who log in to Second Life every day, and there are real people with real souls behind those avatars. I feel that God has called me to reach out to those in this online community who may never darken the door of a church.

In real life, I remain a faithful member of my own local church, seeking the support and accountability of offline ministry, which I think is vital to my walk with the Lord.

If you're ever in Second Life, please look me up. My avatar's name is Grace Cuthbertsson.

God bless you!

]]> By: JennyO http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1081 JennyO Tue, 22 Sep 2009 07:13:19 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1081 Hey Paul! Loved reading your examples. You're so creative with your titles too. =) Don't know anyone who really embraces the online life as well as you do - you're just always there! You've made yourself and your life so public and so open to everyone, and showing Christian love and care is so much a part of you - as is so evident in your stories above. It can be so overwhelming and stressful having everyone know what you're doing all the time but your online & offline communities know you, rely on you, and experience Christ through you constantly and you take it all in your stride. God bless you for that. I couldn't do it! Thank God for people like you who do it with a joyful and obedient heart. =) Hey Paul! Loved reading your examples. You're so creative with your titles too. =)
Don't know anyone who really embraces the online life as well as you do – you're just always there! You've made yourself and your life so public and so open to everyone, and showing Christian love and care is so much a part of you – as is so evident in your stories above. It can be so overwhelming and stressful having everyone know what you're doing all the time but your online & offline communities know you, rely on you, and experience Christ through you constantly and you take it all in your stride. God bless you for that. I couldn't do it! Thank God for people like you who do it with a joyful and obedient heart. =)

]]> By: NicCharalambous http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1080 NicCharalambous Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:22:13 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1080 Preach it brother! Online church is an extension of how we incarnate the gospel in the world. We cross paths where people are. Simple as that. It's no less living for jesus than knocking on doors in your neighborhood ... or giving your neighbors a cup of sugar. People live in the real world as well as online. If there wasn't some overlap between the two, I'd be more worried! Preach it brother! Online church is an extension of how we incarnate the gospel in the world. We cross paths where people are. Simple as that. It's no less living for jesus than knocking on doors in your neighborhood … or giving your neighbors a cup of sugar. People live in the real world as well as online. If there wasn't some overlap between the two, I'd be more worried!

]]> By: Mark Meyer http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1078 Mark Meyer Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:10:48 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1078 Paul: Thanks for the great examples of how online church can have a great impact. As an Online Church Director, these questions are constantly running through our minds... A few things I believe... This is a new mission field... For those who aren't currently going to church, what is it that will help them take that first step? Attending online church may be an easier first step for people than attending a physical church. Many people feel awkward attending church alone... Online church may be a good step for them.... It's a yes and a yes.... We celebrate and encourage people to do either... Where is it that will best help you take steps toward Christ? Can you find true community with a few friends that attend online church together and engage their communities throughout the week? An hour on a weekend, whether online or physical, is simply a piece of our spiritual growth.... Great questions and discussion.... I believe God is comfortable with drawing people closer to him in the "cloud". :) Paul:

Thanks for the great examples of how online church can have a great impact. As an Online Church Director, these questions are constantly running through our minds… A few things I believe… This is a new mission field… For those who aren't currently going to church, what is it that will help them take that first step? Attending online church may be an easier first step for people than attending a physical church. Many people feel awkward attending church alone… Online church may be a good step for them…. It's a yes and a yes…. We celebrate and encourage people to do either… Where is it that will best help you take steps toward Christ? Can you find true community with a few friends that attend online church together and engage their communities throughout the week? An hour on a weekend, whether online or physical, is simply a piece of our spiritual growth…. Great questions and discussion…. I believe God is comfortable with drawing people closer to him in the "cloud". :)

]]> By: pauldwatson http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/2009/09/18/the-grossest-misconception-of-church-online/#comment-1066 pauldwatson Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:50:16 +0000 http://www.reachingtheonlinegeneration.com/?p=585#comment-1066 Hey Roger, Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it and your comment. I'll answer you with some questions. Why do people plant Baptist churches in communities that already have a Methodist church? Maybe even better, why do people plant a Baptist church in a community that already has one? I think this is a similar question to, "Why do we even need more churches planted when we already have churches that aren't full?" THAT, I think, is the real question here, rather than the validity of online church expression. There are several answers: 1. If everyone in the town came to know Christ all at the same time, is there enough room in every church and every civic building for all the Believers to worship? I'm in Dallas with the new Dallas Stadium and I can tell you there are more people in Dallas than there are seats in the stadium. We need more church because the churches we have do not have the capacity - structurally and in man power - to reach the city. 2. New churches reach more lost people in their first few years than old churches do - generally. 3. Some people will not have their needs met by churches in one tradition. They can't worship that particular way. Nothing wrong about it, it isn't right for them. 4. We need to push into areas traditional churches aren't. This is especially true for online space. In my opinion, we need to get to the root questions regarding online and offline churches. As you said, online and offline isn't the issue. The questions go much deeper than that. Hey Roger,

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate it and your comment.

I'll answer you with some questions.

Why do people plant Baptist churches in communities that already have a Methodist church? Maybe even better, why do people plant a Baptist church in a community that already has one? I think this is a similar question to, "Why do we even need more churches planted when we already have churches that aren't full?" THAT, I think, is the real question here, rather than the validity of online church expression.

There are several answers: 1. If everyone in the town came to know Christ all at the same time, is there enough room in every church and every civic building for all the Believers to worship? I'm in Dallas with the new Dallas Stadium and I can tell you there are more people in Dallas than there are seats in the stadium. We need more church because the churches we have do not have the capacity – structurally and in man power – to reach the city. 2. New churches reach more lost people in their first few years than old churches do – generally. 3. Some people will not have their needs met by churches in one tradition. They can't worship that particular way. Nothing wrong about it, it isn't right for them. 4. We need to push into areas traditional churches aren't. This is especially true for online space.

In my opinion, we need to get to the root questions regarding online and offline churches. As you said, online and offline isn't the issue. The questions go much deeper than that.

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