Virtual church

[Barb]

Originally Posted by jediwill83

Right now...my life and family is in shambles as far as my family outside of my wife and daughter are concerned and health for my wife and work goes...I feel so out of control and lack the ability to move the needle in my life it seems no matter what I do...so when people are freaking out about major world events Im just over here feeling God can take care of His own business and is in control. I have a wife in bad pain, weakness and discomfort, a dad absent and divorced from my mom after 40 years of marriage and no job and its all just really overwhelming so right now I just have to trust that God is God and can handle all this mess and is control....some of you are bound and determined to fit God in your little box...Hes bigger than your box...way bigger and you do yourselves and your Savior a grave disservice not understanding this.

Jedi, I think we all understand the world is upside down right now, and know that God is indeed in control. People everywhere are going through, and life is a bit overwhelming to many of us. But there is hope in our trials, and strength in His Word.

I am so sorry for the pain you and your family are going through, I truly am. You have my promise that my prayers are with you and for you. Right now I am praying for your wife to receive healing and strength, in Jesus' Name! May you find peace in the midst of it all...

[Monterrey]

Originally Posted by Amanah

Are preachers hesitant to be political? Are they wording their messages in a way to avoid being prosecuted for hate speech? Does it have something to do with the bldg?

Or to do with their tax exemptions.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Monterrey

Sorry that this thread offended you, I do apologize for the offense.

I also am grieved though. I have lived long enough to realize that there has been a cataclysmic change that has happened to the church world. I am honest and saying that I am not happy with it. Sorry if that offends you but it is the truth. My being grieved is as real as your being grieved. Probably neither one of us will change the other.

Don't know who Rodney King is so I can't and won't comment on that paragraph.

Does it not bother you that the physical congregating is now being replaced with the virtual almost real but not really internet church? Do you think Jesus would like that?

Forgive my bluntness but I also am grieved.

The Rodney King line was a lame joke… he was the gentlemen nearly beat to death in the L.A. riots a zillion years ago. It was the ‘why can’t we all get along’ part that was the point.

I fully understand that you are not happy with this. At the beginning of my post I wrote that no one is happy with it. Does anyone honestly think a pastor or congregation would rather sit in their pjs than be in the house of prayer?

So yes, it certainly bothers me that we are unable to meet together, but in Michigan we are asked to stay at home. Grocery stores, large and small are limited in the number allowed in, and it is for the safety of us all. The church I faithfully attend is large, probably nearing 2,500-3,000 members. Sacrifices/adjustments had to be made, and it grieves us all, BUT we are looking to better days.

The purpose for my post was to simply say that be it virtual service or parking lot, packed out sanctuary or a pastor in an empty building, it matters little how we worship as long as we worship in Spirit and in Truth. To belittle and demean how a pastor chooses to minister to the masses is just not productive.

Thank you for your kind response to me… that goes a long way in brotherly love.

[james34]

Here. Is a major difference and one problem presented by livestream services.
I personally know people who never attend church(but are physically able) and I know churches who even before this pandemic, were livestreaming their services. I even chimed in on these services(as it is a church some of my sinner family is associated with and one where I preach when I'm in their area)
But as I watch these live streamed services I notice several well able people in that area chiming in and posting amens throughout. I have watched this for probably 2 if not 3 years. These people claimed christianity off and on for some years even before internet services were available. What I am noticing is that these livestream services are not impacting their lives the way being physically present would. I dont believe the same conviction power is present or it's easier to push it away when it's just on a screen and speaker. We as Christian's may pretend not to know the difference, but sinner folks do and they will take an online service where they wouldn't dare go into a church house with a live service. So what is it that makes the sinner more comfortable, if it's the same? The fear of God isnt falling in the same manner, maybe that's why some Christians are gravitating toward the livestream services themselves.
Online and virtual services seem to mostly bring about a lip service type of Christianity, that is mostly steeped in superstition if one looks closely. I know folks that wouldn't go near repentance, but they are quick to copy or share anything presented to them on social media, with the promise of a blessing. We really do folks a disfavor by going along with this virtual church stuff. It has its place, but it's not a replacement, not even close.

[diakonos]

I’m not big on live streaming. At all. I may stream again. Not sure.

Can God touch someone through live stream? Yes. Even something recorded months or years ago.

One time I was watching a preaching video while at work... so there would be some background noise to help keep me awake.
Suddenly and unexpected... the Spirit of God filled my car. And there I was, weeping, snot bubbles, and glossolalia.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by diakonos

I’m not big on live streaming. At all. I may stream again. Not sure.

Can God touch someone through live stream? Yes. Even something recorded months or years ago.

One time I was watching a preaching video while at work... so there would be some background noise to help keep me awake.
Suddenly and unexpected... the Spirit of God filled my car. And there I was, weeping, snot bubbles, and glossolalia.

If God could speak through a donkey, He can speak to us from a video or Live streamed service. The thing is, no one I know is calling this the new way to go or the preferred method... it is just the most viable at this juncture.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by james34

Here. Is a major difference and one problem presented by livestream services.
I personally know people who never attend church(but are physically able) and I know churches who even before this pandemic, were livestreaming their services. I even chimed in on these services(as it is a church some of my sinner family is associated with and one where I preach when I'm in their area)
But as I watch these live streamed services I notice several well able people in that area chiming in and posting amens throughout. I have watched this for probably 2 if not 3 years. These people claimed christianity off and on for some years even before internet services were available. What I am noticing is that these livestream services are not impacting their lives the way being physically present would. I dont believe the same conviction power is present or it's easier to push it away when it's just on a screen and speaker. We as Christian's may pretend not to know the difference, but sinner folks do and they will take an online service where they wouldn't dare go into a church house with a live service. So what is it that makes the sinner more comfortable, if it's the same? The fear of God isnt falling in the same manner, maybe that's why some Christians are gravitating toward the livestream services themselves.
Online and virtual services seem to mostly bring about a lip service type of Christianity, that is mostly steeped in superstition if one looks closely. I know folks that wouldn't go near repentance, but they are quick to copy or share anything presented to them on social media, with the promise of a blessing. We really do folks a disfavor by going along with this virtual church stuff. It has its place, but it's not a replacement, not even close.

I'm sorry. Maybe I missed it, but just WHO is calling it a replacement?!

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by Barb

If God could speak through a donkey, He can speak to us from a video or Live streamed service. The thing is, no one I know is calling this the new way to go or the preferred method... it is just the most viable at this juncture.

The problem is "this juncture" is intended to be essentially permanent.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Barb

If God could speak through a donkey, He can speak to us from a video or Live streamed service. The thing is, no one I know is calling this the new way to go or the preferred method... it is just the most viable at this juncture.

The problem is it shouldn’t be the only viable option during this juncture .... they have deemed church gatherings unessential... it’s going to one day be a fight now that we essentially gave into....

[Esaias]

You could still go to church in Communist Russia, just like you can in Communist China. As long as government approval was/is in place. In those tyrannies, the government approved WHERE and WHEN you could go to church. Here, government has largely just outlawed all of it.

But you can still utube it, I suppose that's freedom.