By Filings on
Church & Ministry
Church Attendance

“Church offers a place where infants and grandparents, unemployed and executives, immigrants and blue bloods can all assemble together. Where else can we find that unique mixture? Certainly not online.” - C.Today

Discussion

Tue, 06/14/22

Yancey isn’t wrong that in person is better, but as so many do, he contrasts in-building church with the worst possible alternative: passive viewing of a video recording. There are so many better ways to do non-physical presence—and these reduce the differences he talks about.

To name two:

  • Live video of your very own congregation
  • Interactive video and audio in small groups with your very own congregation. (There are easy to use tools now that even let you scribble on a whiteboard, if you’re used to doing that in Sunday School or some other small group setting.)

In the first, you’re not watching a movie. It’s your local expression of the body of Christ and you’re being a part of what’s happening, though distantly. In the second, you’re not passive at all. You’re ‘there’ in every way but physical location. A skilled teacher will interact with many who are connected to the meeting.

Views expressed are always my own and not my employer's, my church's, my family's, my neighbors', or my pets'. The house plants have authorized me to speak for them, however, and they always agree with me.