Sunday, April 23, 2006
A grand experiment
Welcome. I mean that most sincerely. Over a month ago I started a blog to share my thoughts on what's wrong with church and re-imagining how it might be different. This blog is a first step toward a dream I've had for a while. The global connectivity provided by the internet is stunning. For the first time in human history it's now possible for average people to communicate worldwide instantaneously. We can connect for good or evil. The rapid spread of child pornography and all the horrors that come with it is one example of evil. There are lots of examples of good. It occurred to me that there should be a gathering place online for followers of Christ, seekers, the curious and the skeptical. A place where we can share ideas, call for support, rally for action, discuss the nature of God and truth.
This is a place that will not be defined by any particular Christian ideology but it is built on the most basic of commonly held Christian beliefs. By that, I mean First Church of the Internet holds that Jesus Christ was both truly human and truly God. His death on the cross accomplished payment for the sins of all human kind and re-established our relationship with God that was broken by sin. His bodily resurrection from the dead is our promise that, all those who believe in him, will not suffer eternal death but will enjoy eternal life. There is only one God mysteriously revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Faith in Jesus Christ is what makes our connection to God possible and not anything we do.
You are not obligated to believe any of this to participate in First Church of the Internet. This is the foundation upon which this church is built. From there all inquiry, disagreement, agreement, dissent, discussion, thoughts and concepts are welcome. I believe a community can be built online that is more agile, more responsive and more proactive than any traditional church can ever hope to be. I believe we can distill what unites us into a powerful force for change, hope and service and diffuse the power of what seperates us by turning off the spotlight so many churches have pointed at our differences for so long. Yes, I'm a dreamer, but I refuse to believe I'm the only one.
Here are some things you should know in the interest of full disclosure. I am Lutheran by background and spent nearly 25 years working in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in the United States. Technically I am still "rostered" as a Commissioned Minister of that denomination. My personal theological viewpoint is strongly informed by that tradition so I might disagree with some of what is shared by others. However, I will never deny anyone the right to share their thoughts, ideas or firmly held beliefs no matter how much I might disagree. I want First Church of the Internet to be a safe place for everyone to wrestle with God and that sometimes means wrestling with one another. Also, this may be the only church that will never ask for a donation of any kind nor accept any contributions. When you are compelled to give of your resources it should be to give aid and comfort to those in need and there will be links to agencies that will help you do just that.
More than anything I want First Church of the Internet to be a place where we can do good in Jesus' name for the sake of the lost, poor, imprisoned, hungry, homeless and needy souls of this world. Not so that they become Christians, but because we follow Christ. We come with no agenda other than to be the hands and feet of the living Lord Jesus. Imagine a time when, at a moment's notice, we can show up to help where there is a need anywhere in the world. A global church that exists in cyberspace has that capacity. Our members can be anywhere in the world and those who are near a need can show up to help as soon as the call goes out. We can even gather face-to-face adding personal contact to our online connection. This is the first church that is truly open 24 hours a day and never closes.
Here's how we'll start. I have a couple of links I've put up to places that I think are stimulating or helpful. Now that you've found this site, I want you to start recommending other links. Suggest places where people might find helpful resources like Biblical commentaries, challenging books, interesting videos, meaningful sermons, powerful music, etc. I'll add these to the links. I'll post topics for discussion and everyone can join in. Most importantly, when you find a need, large or small, notify me right away and it will be posted here at First Church of the Internet. We'll rally the church to help with the need.
This is truly a grand experiment. I'm hoping to find a new way to empower and activate the Body of Christ. I believe His body transcends all denominations and sects and that, given the right resources, can break out of the traditional boundaries for the good of the whole world. Who's with me?
This is a place that will not be defined by any particular Christian ideology but it is built on the most basic of commonly held Christian beliefs. By that, I mean First Church of the Internet holds that Jesus Christ was both truly human and truly God. His death on the cross accomplished payment for the sins of all human kind and re-established our relationship with God that was broken by sin. His bodily resurrection from the dead is our promise that, all those who believe in him, will not suffer eternal death but will enjoy eternal life. There is only one God mysteriously revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Faith in Jesus Christ is what makes our connection to God possible and not anything we do.
You are not obligated to believe any of this to participate in First Church of the Internet. This is the foundation upon which this church is built. From there all inquiry, disagreement, agreement, dissent, discussion, thoughts and concepts are welcome. I believe a community can be built online that is more agile, more responsive and more proactive than any traditional church can ever hope to be. I believe we can distill what unites us into a powerful force for change, hope and service and diffuse the power of what seperates us by turning off the spotlight so many churches have pointed at our differences for so long. Yes, I'm a dreamer, but I refuse to believe I'm the only one.
Here are some things you should know in the interest of full disclosure. I am Lutheran by background and spent nearly 25 years working in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church in the United States. Technically I am still "rostered" as a Commissioned Minister of that denomination. My personal theological viewpoint is strongly informed by that tradition so I might disagree with some of what is shared by others. However, I will never deny anyone the right to share their thoughts, ideas or firmly held beliefs no matter how much I might disagree. I want First Church of the Internet to be a safe place for everyone to wrestle with God and that sometimes means wrestling with one another. Also, this may be the only church that will never ask for a donation of any kind nor accept any contributions. When you are compelled to give of your resources it should be to give aid and comfort to those in need and there will be links to agencies that will help you do just that.
More than anything I want First Church of the Internet to be a place where we can do good in Jesus' name for the sake of the lost, poor, imprisoned, hungry, homeless and needy souls of this world. Not so that they become Christians, but because we follow Christ. We come with no agenda other than to be the hands and feet of the living Lord Jesus. Imagine a time when, at a moment's notice, we can show up to help where there is a need anywhere in the world. A global church that exists in cyberspace has that capacity. Our members can be anywhere in the world and those who are near a need can show up to help as soon as the call goes out. We can even gather face-to-face adding personal contact to our online connection. This is the first church that is truly open 24 hours a day and never closes.
Here's how we'll start. I have a couple of links I've put up to places that I think are stimulating or helpful. Now that you've found this site, I want you to start recommending other links. Suggest places where people might find helpful resources like Biblical commentaries, challenging books, interesting videos, meaningful sermons, powerful music, etc. I'll add these to the links. I'll post topics for discussion and everyone can join in. Most importantly, when you find a need, large or small, notify me right away and it will be posted here at First Church of the Internet. We'll rally the church to help with the need.
This is truly a grand experiment. I'm hoping to find a new way to empower and activate the Body of Christ. I believe His body transcends all denominations and sects and that, given the right resources, can break out of the traditional boundaries for the good of the whole world. Who's with me?
