Tag: Facebook

As long as it is “on the internet” it must be cool, right? That’s why the United Church of Christ wants to start an online congregation by the name of Extravagance UCC.
I’m hip and online and all but I want to play devil’s advocate: It’s not gonna work, sorry.

1.5 years ago a bunch of Presbyterian leaders tried the exact same thing. I wrote about that here: Church Online?
8 months later the whole thing collapsed into an uninspiring existence as a mere facebook group. Now I can’t even find that anymore. Read about the demise here: Not a Facebook Church

Like its predecessor Extravagance UCC starts with a questionnaire. Here are my answers:

What are your hopes, dreams and ideas for Extravagance UCC?
My hope would be that the people involved with this program reach out to Bruce Reyes-Chow and the former leadership of “Church Online” – the failed Presbyterian version of Extravagance.

What gifts, skills and interests would you bring to Extravagance UCC?
I promise my constructive criticism from the sidelines, like the following sacramental reservation:
One of the biggest concerns that I have would be a sacramental one. The signs of Baptism and Holy Communion ought to be tangible. In order to be a real mainline church you ought to be able to abide by ecumenical agreements on Eucharist and Baptism where the elements play a role that cannot be accomplished without physically touching them. I’m not saying an online church needs to be put on hold until beaming is invented but the body of Christ must be tangible at times.

In what ways do you currently participate in geographically dispersed online communities?
Groups on major social networks that have very narrow purposes.

How would you participate in Extravagance UCC?
As a bystander

Bruce Reyes-Chow came out with an intriguing vision on February 28th:
“What if a church decided that the discipline of following Christ and building genuine Christian community could be lived out without everyone having to actually be in one place at one time?
What if a church unapologetically leveraged online tools to be a community no longer bound by architecture, time and physical proximity?
What if a church that met online believed that even a historic religious tradition like the Presbyterian Church (USA) can be expressed in new ways?
Essentially . . . can church be church when it is primarily lived and manifested online?”

I was excited and shared my encouraging comments as well as a sacramental reservation:
“One of the biggest concerns that I have would be a sacramental one. The signs of Baptism and Holy Communion ought to be tangible. In order to be a real mainline church you ought to be able to abide by ecumenical agreements on Eucharist and Baptism where the elements play a role that cannot be accomplished without physically touching them. I’m not saying an online church needs to be put on hold until beaming is invented but the body of Christ must be tangible at times.”

Well, on September 18th, Bruce effectively resigned from the project:
“First, let me say that I am feeling a little sheepish about not being as consistent and committed to this church online adventure that I had hoped to be. More than usual, life has been a little overwhelming and my own long-term discernment has been unexpectedly paralyzing.”

At this point the once great vision leads an uninspiring existence as a mere facebook group. I still hold that it takes a proprietary online sanctuary that is a sacred space. A simple facebook group cannot accomplish that.

Where do you think “church online” could go?

Bruce Reyes-Chow and others are starting a new Presbyterian Church:

“For a while now I have had an inkling that the “social media amplifies the local church” paradigm could be flipped upside-down resulting in a powerful way to be church.” he explains. I find that to be very inspiring. And I also filled out the attached survey. Here are my answers:

Gut reaction to the formation of a church that meets online.
– Def worth exploring.

Concerns: Why a church that meets online IS NOT a good idea?
– Just as a local church can no longer be exclusively physical, a church cannot be exclusively online. I guess at least an annual meeting will evolve.

Possibilities: Why a church that meets online IS a great idea?
– Because it provides access to progressive Christianity in remote regions.

Questions: What issues must be addressed before launching?
– Can you allow dual membership with a local church or do folks need to cut physical ties in order to become an online member?

Besides a blog, Twitter and Facebook, what social media platforms do you think this church should use?
– Those can just be tools for outreach. It takes a proprietary online sanctuary that is a sacred space. A simple facebook group cannot accomplish that.

A great name for a church such as this would be…
– PC 2.0

One of the biggest concerns that I have would be a sacramental one. The signs of Baptism and Holy Communion ought to be tangible. In order to be a real mainline church you ought to be able to abide by ecumenical agreements on Eucharist and Baptism where the elements play a role that cannot be accomplished without physically touching them. I’m not saying an online church needs to be put on hold until beaming is invented but the body of Christ must be tangible at times.