“A Church of 6 People”
Online church is not a substitute for real relationships... it enhances, streamlines, improves, adds fuel to the physical relationships you already have, and gives you the opportunity to meet others across the globe in authentic online community. It's both.
Whether talking about Online Church or a Megachurch, give me 5 friends I can do life with and share a mission with and we can take on the world.... literally. My "church" starts with the 5 people closest to me (not in a pew) but in my 24/7 life. Here's what I believe:
- Intentionality matters in what we believe and in our relationships. When my wife and I meet with our closest friends, they are "the church" to me.... They challenge me, hold me accountable, want what's best for me, and push me in my faith.
- Online church can be the glue that keeps these 5 friends focused, on mission, encouraged, able to collaborate with others, share teaching, and more.
- A physical church can be the glue that keeps these 5 friends focused, on mission, encouraged, able to collaborate with others, share teaching, and more.
- Yep, I just repeated myself.
- A big physical church becomes small with these 5 friends.
- I love the connection to a larger 'church' but experience the richest parts of life and faith in my 'small church' of close friends.
- The church needs a revolution. Scores of people believe in God but don't see the need for church. We can and must do better. Love God but don't care for "the church"? Start by 'being' what you think the 'church' should be and invite some friends along the way...
Wherever you are in the globe, you can start changing your community with a few friends. Our vision is to help resource you, bring teaching, services, strategies for local missions, and anything that can help you take your next step toward Christ.... online. Let's connect, learn from each other, and share as we make it happen!
April 12th, 2010 - 18:40
Good points. The early churches started -even many church plants start- in small group settings.
A church the size of GCC can be daunting to get to connect with others, but as I am finding out, the ‘secret’- if there is one- is to commit and invest your time, resources, and passion into making connections in areas where you can serve.
As with anything else when you have personal effort investment, you tend to become more passionate and deliberate about what you are doing.
The challenge of doing so online is bridging that connection past (in this case) Sunday evenings. Small online groups, becoming Facebook friends, or even good old fashioned arranging a meetup are fairly easy for persons who live in the area.
April 12th, 2010 - 21:03
Ed:
Very true… these are new waters we’re swimming in… We’ll need some creative ideas to help build relationships in new ways online or leverage the existing tools… How do we best connect, empower, train, and encourage people from a distance? Thoughts? Mark