First Church of the Internet

First Church of the Internet is almost two years old! And it looks like I'm still the only member! There are over 80 million blogs out there and a few churches using the web quite powerfully. So, maybe this isn't a necessary thing. Still, I want to keep it up to see if there are people who want to join the conversation. Not that there aren't plenty of places to discuss faith, express skepticism and wrestle with God. For now, First Church of the Internet is still open and here for you and anyone else looking for...well, whatever you're looking for. I'm still happy to respond to questions, comments and rants.

I have a confession. Less than a week into First Church of the Internet and already I'm fighting the urge to make this a platform for my views. It's hard not to want to shape the community that you envision. Much like a city planner who sits down and carefully maps out where all the roads will go, what areas will be residential and which commercial, I admit to having a vision for how this church should be. And, just like that, I fall into the trap that so many church leaders fall into. I've even led church leaders through workshops on this topic. "Leaders are visionaries who point the way the church should go. Every leader has a unique vision for their church or ministry and they are obligated to blaze the trail."

This is the view I've espoused and there are elements of it that I still believe are true. The very act of creating this blog and setting the expectation for what might happen here is an act of vision and leadership. My vision is that a place in cyberspace can be created where the Holy Spirit has total free reign. No restrictions on where and how He'll move. As far as I can tell, that means my job is pretty much over. I've made the invitation for people to join this community. I've flung the doors open with no restrictions. I'm willing to see what happens and anxious to watch what unfolds. There in lies the rub.

Anticipation and anxiousness often drive premature action. I can see why it's so hard for visionary church leaders. I'm happy to let God have his way with me and take my ministry where he wants...as long as he does it quickly and it looks roughly the way I thought it would! My life is short and I can't wait forever, so I'll just give this project a little nudge. The problem is, God transcends time. He's not so concerned about my little blip of a life on the grand timeline of eternity. He may be using me for something that will be huge and world changing...in 2158. The problem for me is, I'll need to live to be 200 to see it. Not likely.

It's a lot like farming. I plant the seeds, but I can't make them grow. I have to wait. If First Church of the Internet is about allowing an organic community of Jesus followers to find a place where they can grow and be fruitful, then I really have nothing more to do. So, I'll wait. I won't promise the waiting will always be patient and if there's ever a post here that feels pushy or controlling, I want the church to correct me. This is as much an invitation for God to do something as anything else, and He's most certainly out of my control!!

Yesterday I was reading Seth Godin's blog and came across the most incredible story. There is something amazing happening this Saturday. Thousands of young people will be taking a stand against war. Not the war that makes the news every day but a war that has been raging for 20 years and is virtually unknown. Three twenty-something adults went to Uganda with a video camera. What they saw there changed their lives forever. They determined to come back and mobilize the youth of America. They've done it. And they've done it without using any of the traditional vehicles. This movement is driven by resources available to everyone online.

This is exactly the vision I have for First Church of the Internet. We CAN build a community that is agile, responsive and global for the sake of changing the world. We can have impact locally and globally all at the same time. We don't need buildings or professional staff or any of the trappings of the traditional church. Where do you want the Body of Christ to serve? What's happening in your world that we should all be doing something about?

I work for a company that organizes mission trips. We bring Christians from all different denominations to areas in need all over the United States and elsewhere. I've seen some of the most desperate poverty in the world and every time I'm upset that we can't do more. First Church of the Internet has the potential to reach further and multiply the help. If you could encourage people, where would you send them and what would you ask them to do?

I'll be brief. Let's start this off with a little icebreaker question. What is the true purpose of the Church? Church being defined as all those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. If you feel the need, support your answer.

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?