Partake Virtual Church 04 – What is a virtual Church

Partake Virtual Church 04 - What is a Virtual Church?

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The writer to Hebrews in Hebrews 10v24-25 says “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Therefore, how do housebound or, geographically isolated people, assemble with others as the writer to Hebrews commands? This is particularly pertinent if the geographically centred local churches do not have the resources to collect these people for worship services and other meetings. So what can be done to ensure that these groups of people are not isolated further from an active Church life.

Computer based communities are ‘Virtual Reality Environments’, whereby the community members interact with each other. The best way is through a ‘Virtual Reality Environment’, as established in an online church, where Jesus Christ is glorified, preached and worshipped. This is a Virtual Church. If you can get to a normal geographically based local church, then I would say go to that church, as well as a virtual church. But if for some reason you are unable to attend a geographically located church, then Virtual Church is where you can have fellowship with other Christians for encouragement, growing in grace and maturity together and for rejoicing together in the fellowship of believers. A fellowship of believers, meeting together online in a ‘Virtual Reality Environment’, with a common purpose (Psalm 133v1-3), common belief (Acts 2v42), common hope (Hebrews 11v39-40) and sharing needs (2 Corinthians 8vv1-15). Just as Christians have fellowship with the Father (1 John 1v3), Jesus (1 Corinthians 1v9) and the Holy Spirit (Philippians 2v1), so they also have with each other (1 John 1v7). This fellowship is with each other, regardless of their individual geographical location, in a ‘Virtual Reality Environment’.

A virtual church is an Internet website, where people, quite possibly geographically dispersed, gather together for fellowship, teaching, mission & worship, similarly to the way people have congregated since Pentecost. This is distinct from a church website only contains information about itself, the Gospel and/or its own particular denominational dogma.

Currently, at least to my knowledge, there are three main types of virtual church, all with some form of audio-visual capability and community interaction. Firstly those that are primarily text based. Secondly, there are churches with a two-dimensional graphical interface, text and some sound for use in worship and prayers. Thirdly, churches with a fully three-dimensional graphical viewing interface, with full sound and interactivity. While these three examples usually require registration in order to show commitment to the ethos and core values, guest passes are available. These guest passes allow countless others to watch the virtual church service and participate in discussion afterwards.

In the next Podcast we will look at how a Virtual Church functions, in regards to fellowship, mission, bible teaching and worship. For by doing those 4 things, any church, whether located geographically or within a ‘Virtual Reality Environment’, can lay claim to be a part of the historical one, holy, catholic and apostolic church. Thank you.

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