I wrote a recent short article on the fact that “Church does not work online” (details here). Most responses were in support of that view. However, I did receive one from a minister who is a strong Christian with an active online following. It is important to note before reading the conversation below that part of his ministry is to those who do not feel comfortable attending a conventional church and others who live in rural areas where a solid Biblical Christian church within reasonable driving distance is not available. Below is part of our dialogue…

Reader Comment 

I do praise and worship both ways, in person and online. I play keyboards every Sunday morning at 10AM at the Prayer of Faith Church of God in Christ. I record in advance so my online church airs an hour sooner. When I get home from the ‘brick and mortar’, my own church gets follow-up postings online. As of today, I have 460 followers on Medium, 114 more on Substack, 4,600 on Facebook, 4,800 on LinkedIn, plus numerous others with smaller followings. So, online churches can and do work. It’s just that there is no way to pass around a collection plate or basket. I think that’s the real reason some pastors are critical about online worship and praise. I get few donations and I’m OK with that. I’m just happy being a servant of the Lord.

My Response

Respectfully, let me repeat what is imbedded in your response… there is no way to “pass around a collection plate or basket… I think that’s the real reason some pastors are critical of online worship”.

Perhaps there are some pastors who feel this way. Just as there are some pastors who are rapists, thieves, adulterers, bigots, etc., I would hope and pray that the vast majority of Biblical Christian pastors see a deeper need for fellowship and connection other than money from their ministry.

However, I will also say that if the church has no funds, it will be severely hampered in its altruistic activities, so there is that reality as well. 

You and I have had this conversation before and I support those times when someone is located in a place where a face-to-face church is not an option. I remember that some of your members are unique in their desire to remain as online-isolates rather than church-goers. But again, the vast majority of folks who “attend” an online service are either lazy, don’t see the need for accountability, or have better things to do so will fit “church” into their schedule, when it is convenient. 

To your point on the “success” of your online church… I can list the number of engagements on Facebook, YouTube, Medium, and BCWorldview.org which our ministry has been blessed with as well. But that is not a reason or justification to promote the internet over a Sunday morning church gathering. The internet should be supplemental, not a replacement. One cannot ignore the fact that the Lord called church to be a meeting of people, not for material gain, but for fellowship, teaching, worship, and accountability. 

Again, respectfully, there is no way one can see these attributes as being accomplished as effectively while isolated online vs. meeting face-to-face. As I have offered to you before… promote your church service as an adjunct to a traditional face-to-face service for the majority (I understand, not all) of your “members” and not as a replacement. To do otherwise is unscriptural.

Scripture supporting a Face-to-Face Church Service

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. — Acts 2:42

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, — Acts 2:46

Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. — Hebrews 10:25

Why Attend a Physical Biblical Christian Church Service

Each of the Biblically-based objectives of Christian fellowship listed below can best be, or can only be, accomplished through public worship (details here). 

Physically show love for each other (1 John 4:12).

How can fellow believers show true love for each other when crisis hits by typing notes to each other over the internet?

Encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13).

When something good or especially bad happens in the life of a church member, face-to-face contact and prayer is the best form of encouragement.

Spur each other to do good works (Hebrews 10:24).

It is only when we know our fellow believers that we can encourage them in God’s calling to good works. 

Serve one another (Galatians 5:13).

Service projects of all forms can best be done by groups of like-minded believers on a local level, each encouraging the others to serve the Lord in active ministry. 

Instruct one another (Romans 15:14).

Every fellowship of believers has those who are seekers, baby Christians, and mature Christians. Being a lone-ranger, watching or reading from a TV or monitor, is not an effective way to build up the body. 

Honor one another (Romans 12:10).

Pride is a dangerous sin. However, recognizing what God has done in the life of church members in a public way can be an encouragement to the whole congregation. 

Show kindness and compassion to one another (Ephesians 4:32).

The heart of the church is to love and care for each other and there is no substitute for the impact a local fellowship has in showing love to its members. 

As I offered later to a reader…”Nothing beats meeting in the fellowship hall over a meal, doing a mission trip together with other members, going on a retreat, meeting on Wednesday nights for a Bible study, meeting in a small room for adult AND children’s Sunday School, and standing outside the church after a service catching up with others.”

Conclusion

When we are saved, we become a member of the body of Christ. And to function as a unified body, we must come together as a unit, which cannot be accomplished over the internet. In order for eyes, hands, and ears to work effectively as a unified body, we must come together. This was the point of 1 Corinthians 12:14-20 leading up to… 

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Of course, weekly church attendance is not a requirement for Biblical Christians. However, it is a large part of how we mature through the sanctification process. There is a connection between believers of the local church that cannot be duplicated on the internet.