Cyber-church anyone?

There are news reports today of church leaders identifying Face Book as part of “the trouble with young people today” – replacing face-to-face relationships with virtual relationships.  I’m not convinced.  Certainly the world of cyber-everything brings problems and dangers, but not just problems and dangers.  There are real strengths and benefits too.  In any case, it got me thinking again about the notion of “virtual church” – the formation of on-line Christian communities that intend to be an authentic participation in the body of Christ.  That’s the theory, anyway.

 

In my vision statement for the recent Assembly, I included these comments:

 

“I see the UCA’s vitality coming from the health of its congregations – a diversity of local communities of reconciliation.  There’s no single model for local church life.  Neighbourhood congregations, regional churches, linked lay-led congregations, faith communities, house churches and emerging new forms of Christian community and outreach all have a place in the future of the UCA.

“I know that there’s a lot that’s imperfect about church life, but this is a statement of vision.  I’m allowed to say that I’m one of those who really believe that the local church is the hope of the world.  For the local church is a sign, foretaste and instrument of “reconciliation and renewal…for the whole creation”.  It’s a beachhead of the kingdom of God."

 

My question now is this: Can an on-line Christian community really be one of the many forms of “local communities of reconciliation” that I see as the hope for the world?  Or, is there something fundamental missing from virtual relationships that mean they can never amount to that authentic koinonia (community, communion, fellowship or friendship - pick the word that works for you) that is the body of Christ?

Comments

[Lynne Aird]

This is a good question - I'm encouraged that the question is posed and it would be great if quite a number of us grappled with it! To get the ball rolling.... We need to think outside the square as a church & on-line Christian community is outside the square. I believe it can assist in building community but I'm not sure that it can actually replace authentic community on its own. Created for fellowship with God and each other, there's is a richness and honesty in face to face community that would be difficult to replicate on-line. However, on-line community can add to the face to face community thereby making it richer. I'd like to see this form of local community explored, debated and discussed - what could on-line community look and smell like?! (PS I'm on facebook almost daily - may give some context to my comment.)

[Simon Dent]

I agree with Lynne. I think it needs to be 'both-and' rather than an 'either-or'. On-line faith communities can add to 'real' relating in that they join us so much more broadly to our global communities and people outside of our immediate social groupings. It causes us to reconsider what we mean by "Our community". Speaking to my friend in South Africa on Face book has re-engaged me with a broader Christian fellowship.

As to a more formailised attempt at creating On-Line Church I'm not so convinced. I think one of the attractions of sites like Face book is its immediacy and informaility.

[Geoff Hurst]

One of the things that I've found interesting about online communications is the "grades" and types available. And its not just about available bandwidth, more about responsiveness.

In terms of usefulness its hard to beat email. It is so much faster and cheaper than using the postal network yet it still gives you enough time and space to ponder your content. And enough time, generally, to protect yourself from ill considered replies. It takes a bit of getting used to though. Emotional nuances require some forethought. Its been many a time that I’ve dashed off a quick reply to something I thought I had read in an email only to realise that I had misread the tone. And then compounded the error with my own quick prejudices.

I find forums useful too. Slower and less direct than email their public nature gives a more leisurely form of communication that is good for Q&A and problem solving. A good example of young people of faith using this is http://gush.com.au/ Initiated and managed by 15-18 year olds its had a very interesting life over the last few years. I remember talking with its instigators about 5 years ago. For them it was a valued and valuable way of expressing their faith in Jesus that their mileau “got”. Troll through its huge stock of messages and you will see every expression, angle, opinion and artifice of people responding to God you could ever imagine.

Facebook is interesting as it combines several channels of communication. Each with its own style and responsiveness. It can be used like point to point email. It can be used as point to multipoint newsletter. It can be used for quick and impulsive comments. It can damage in an instant and heal in a flash. One to One chat, One to many chat. Sharing photos and memories… All of these features which were til recently discrete functions are now combined into… something quite rich and multi layered. I’m finding that 20 somethings are demonstrating a rich and compelling expression of thought and feeling that was not expected within my own generation. And with a much shorter halflife too… Passions ebb and sigh very quickly online. Just when you think you are riding something that you can think you can take you to a new creative shore the wave will dump you and those tidal forces will move on to some other phenomenon. Myself, as a 50 something, am less able to adapt to these changes. What compells me within Facebook is being able to reconnect with communities and friends from the past. To stir up some of those ghosts. To stand at the edge of the virtual cliff and call out “Cooee” and wait for the echo. I guess I use Facebook infrequently now. It’s a tool to keep in touch and to test the waters.

I think that the fellowship, the gathered community, that Andrew talks about, is possible in spaces like this. After all we are people. Our humanity will always bleed out past our words. But I don’t think that we can easily create them out of nothing. There is no “Field of Dreams” here. We can’t just build it and they will come. I’m with Simon and Lynne above. As a 50 something such things as Facebook, and forums, and email work to contribute to an already existing spirited life in community.

As for GenZ and beyond… I think that they will be more able and responsive to using disembodied mediums (my that sounds spooky) to form communities. My feeling is that we are still just cracking open the door of what is possible.

[Julie-Ann Ellis]

"Can an on-line Christian community really be one of the many forms of “local communities of reconciliation” that I see as the hope for the world?"

Good question. I am currently a member of a small, valuable internet fellowship, and have been a member of one, rather depressing, attempt at an internet church. I think there is enormous potential for this form of Christian community to be of great value in Australia, where distance and remoteness can crush other forms. Is anything happening now, specifically within the UCA? Is anyone exploring the ideas with reference to Australia?

"Is there something fundamental missing from virtual relationships that mean they can never amount to that authentic koinonia (community, communion, fellowship or friendship - pick the word that works for you) that is the body of Christ?"

Another very good question. I'd like to hear more.