Welcome To Church… Online?: Part 3

February 2, 2010 in Video,Worship with 2 Comments

We’ve covered the why and how we ended up streaming our Sunday service online, but we’re still trying to get to the answer to this question:

“Is the ‘online church’ experience- church?”

Let’s look at some of the pro’s for a minute:

  • Easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection
  • Saves money on building/facilities (assuming you are in a mobile environment like we are), because some of your audience will opt for viewing online instead of attending a physical campus
  • Allows you to capture the live feel without having to drive or go to a physical building- and save it for future viewing with many of the online services available
  • The amount of volunteers for Sunday mornings (or whenever you do this) greatly decreases with minimal set-up, no classes, no greeters, no ushers, etc.
  • People can share their worship, thoughts, feelings with others during the service via chat, Facebook, Twitter
  • With being home (or in your selected environment) you feel more comfortable and possibly more open to what is being said/communicated during the service
  • People who are far from God are more apt to tune in and check out the service if they don’t feel threatened or pushed into attending (they can be anonymous for a time if they choose, which helps some people ease in to experiencing God)
  • If you decide to do both (live site and stream online) people can check out the church (preview it) before they actually come and check it out on a Sunday morning at a building
  • Technology advancements have moved so far, so fast- that almost anyone can do this at next to nothing when it comes to cost. We used a free service (livestream.com), some gear we had for band practices, and computers we use for Sunday mornings
  • Engaging people using this medium has become the new norm. From Netflix streaming, YouTube, Hulu, Vimeo, Ustream, etc.- people are getting their information via video and much of that is by using the internet
  • Fill in the blank: “One of the pros of having church streamed online is _______ ?”

Those are just some, but let’s hear what you have to say and next time will jump in with the “cons of online church.”
Until next time-

Jason *over and out*

  • jasonbedell

    I'm with you Dave. At heart (though it doesn't always show) I enjoy time by myself. So, for me internet services are totally up my alley. Least amount of human interaction, no pressure, no driving, etc. But if I did that I would be missing out on all the ways God can move & stretch me through human interaction and community. Love the thoughts. Keep 'em coming.

  • http://www.unitefccc.com/ Dave VBK

    J-del, miss you man!

    While I would be quick to say that using the internet for services in times of emergency is good, I think there is a sense of community about physically being together that is missed if we have internet services alone.

    Personally, I would rather stay home on Sunday, sleep in, and shuffle over to my Macbook Pro in my onesy pajamas and watch a service at my leisure. But that type of interaction with the church is not healthy. How can I care for my brother and take care of his needs (physically) until I step out and physically take action?

    I'm interested to hear your final conclusion.