Echo Hub

Absolutely, being in a temporary facility and moving to no facility whatsoever (house church), I think that people are really starting to grasp that and it has all been helped by new technologies.

I Concur! I don’t go to a building, I assemble myself with a body of believers. In our Churchianity American culture (especially with todays mega-churches) I think that most get caught up with the ideas that I “go to” church, instead of I “am a part of” the church. Whatever we can do to break this paradigm will also break the spectator mindset at the same time! The real question that this brings me to – is HOW??!

Agree. I am challenged on a regular basis to not just “go to church” but “be the church”. I attend the lifechurch.tv south Tulsa Campus and have found the video venue to be very effective as well as the internet campus.

I agree but also disagree. Yes the church is more than just a building but you cannot discount the many people that assemble in that building. The word church refers to the body of christ but it also refers to groups of people that come to gather lead by a pastor to worship and work towards reaching our world. Jesus setup the church so I do not think we should try and simplify it to some goup home meeting. It is many people coming together in an orderly manner lead under one vision and cause. In acts they did meet in homes but only under the supervision and leadership of the now HUGE jerusalem church. The first day they had 3000 people join and they started with more than just a handful 120 people showed up for the prayer meeting (that was just the comitted ones). Yes I do believe technology can help the church come together as a whole but I do not believe that technology can take the place of the local church. You cannot just watch a little tv and “be a part”. Anyway that’s my 2 cents for what its worth. Take it or leave it.

I agree Scott. Technology transforms the space we are in, in such a way it can make us forget the confines altogether. Just like when we watch a movie. As soon as it starts we are no longer in that theater but we are transported to wherever that place is on the screen. Technology, if used right can bring us to a place of worship. The danger is if it is so compelling that it takes us there alone, like with the movie we might be tempted to forget the church in our midst and our corporate worship becomes worship alone.

Jonathan,

Thanks for your two cents. Just to clarify, I didn’t advocate that we abandon buildings. Instead, I’m advocating that we be careful with the role those buildings play in our understanding of what the Church is. Does that make sense?

Scott,
I don’t want you to get me wrong I am the media director at my church and technology is my life. I agree with you in that what I think your trying to say is technology brings the church as a whole and a local church closer together. Contrary to the worry that with facebook and text messaging people would be less conected these things have actually broughten us closer. Many people now feel closer than ever to people because we can communicate so quickly and openly. I guess where I don’t get where your going with all this is the building. What does the building have to do with this? Are you saying we should reach out to people beyond our walls? Are you saying people can be a part of a local church through the internet by not ever stepping into a building? On that I guess I’m confused.

Jonathan,

I think you’re trying to read too much into my original statement. In your understanding, is the church a building? If you say no, then we’re in agreement on that.

scott,

agree 100%, the church is not a building. although growing up, the true meaning of “the church” was never truly explained well. i’m beginning to think that’s a big misconception by many people apart of the global church. this is definitely the first question a church needs to address before any video venue can happen.

look forward to the video venue issue!

Yes of course the church is not a building it is the body/bride of christ we are the church (believers). I guess the confusion is why do we need to reminded of that and how is technology going to help do that? I just don’t get the point of that statement I guess.

If you don’t need to be reminded of that idea, Jonathan, then you’re ahead of the game. How can technology help people understand that? Do you have any ideas? To me, it seems like technology has the potential to connect people and facilitate the Church being the Church outside the walls of a building and outside the 11 o’clock hour on Sundays. Maybe you don’t see it that way, but that’s OK.

I see what you’re saying basically technology helps us reach out of our four walls and brings the church into people’s homes that wouldn’t otherwise let it in. I think we’re on the same page. Loved the blog on stop using media part 2!