http://willadair.com/2009/12/15/disconnected-jim-baker-virtual-faith/ Saved by Grace. Married to one. Father to two. Future church planter. Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:07:18 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 http://willadair.com/2009/12/15/disconnected-jim-baker-virtual-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-698 defining virtual church Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:11:49 +0000 http://willadair.com/?p=708#comment-698 [...] it more interactive and is the most rapidly growing medium for the virtual church concept. Read Disconnected, Jim Baker and Virtual Faith and Disconnected, Virtual Church for my thoughts. Both at 500 [...] [...] it more interactive and is the most rapidly growing medium for the virtual church concept. Read Disconnected, Jim Baker and Virtual Faith and Disconnected, Virtual Church for my thoughts. Both at 500 [...]

]]> http://willadair.com/2009/12/15/disconnected-jim-baker-virtual-faith/comment-page-1/#comment-695 Jaime Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:05:56 +0000 http://willadair.com/?p=708#comment-695 I think that, when used correctly, the internet can definitely be used for fellowship and outreach to an extent. For a lot of people, it may be their only way of connecting. The problem with going all virtual for your only source of "church", though, is that it's so easy to fake things...to maybe slip into not being transparent or to hold people at arm's length. Compartmentalizing your life can be a temptation, I'm sure. Disappearing is a too-easy "out" that is always available. There's also the ever present possibility that the person you're chatting with isn't legit. In my opinion, face to face encouragement and fellowship can't be replaced. I think back to before I was saved and the biggest thing that God used to start to draw me was witnessing the love and hospitality of believers amongst themselves and towards me. That couldn't have happened online. I think that, when used correctly, the internet can definitely be used for fellowship and outreach to an extent. For a lot of people, it may be their only way of connecting. The problem with going all virtual for your only source of "church", though, is that it's so easy to fake things…to maybe slip into not being transparent or to hold people at arm's length. Compartmentalizing your life can be a temptation, I'm sure. Disappearing is a too-easy "out" that is always available. There's also the ever present possibility that the person you're chatting with isn't legit. In my opinion, face to face encouragement and fellowship can't be replaced. I think back to before I was saved and the biggest thing that God used to start to draw me was witnessing the love and hospitality of believers amongst themselves and towards me. That couldn't have happened online.

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