A church in North Carolina has brought an interesting concept to the forefront of Church and technology. Central United Methodist Church in Concord, North Carolina, planned for those attending the online church service to partake in the Holy Communion during the live service.
Online viewers would become online participants as they could pour themselves some grape juice and use any bread or crackers in their home to participate in the breaking of bread and taking of Communion. The Central United Methodist Church senior pastor Andy Langford said,
“We believe that God is not bound by space and time. We believe that when we bless the bread and the cup in one place, if there are others who are worshiping with us, God will bless that bread and cup wherever they are.”
This didn’t completely settle well with the United Methodist leadership, so “the denomination’s leading body, the Council of Bishops, declared a moratorium on all online sacraments, including communion, and called for further study of which practices would be acceptable online.”
While some feel as those participating in the sacraments trivializes what is considered “sacred,” others see this as a step forward. Liquid Church‘s founding pastor, Tim Lucas, points out:
“Paul said, ‘By any means possible, will I share the Gospels.”
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with Liquid Church’s Online Church Pastor Kenny Jahng, and ask him what his perspective on participating in the sacraments via online church:
Kenny Jahng Talks Online Church Communion
[tentblogger-youtube ZzxW-w8fNRk]
Taking a moment to pause and reflect on how technology should intersect with the Church and how it relates to online communities is certainly a wise move. I will be interested to see how this discussion ends denominationally, as well as the different parameters and defined terms.
So tell me, what do you think about participating in the sacraments and taking Communion via online church?
[via Wall Street Journal | Image via williamhartz via Compfight cc]
andreas k says
Personally, I think it is close enough to make sense but closer to heresy. In short, it denies the necessity and eventually the veracity of the incarnation.
Matt Brier says
On one hand I guess it would depend on your view of the sacrament. Is the sacrament itself(the bread and wine/juice) the important part or is the remembrance of Jesus’ death as a church body the important part?
When Jesus instituted the practice with the Apostles it was in the context of a shared meal, together, occupying the same physical space. I think the act of remembering what it represents was meant to happen within the context of a communal meeting, though you could argue that meeting online is the 21st century version of communal meeting. So I guess I wouldn’t necessarily condemn someone for doing it, I don’t see myself taking communion in this way.
Joel Walkley says
I think that the sentiment “We believe that God is not bound by space and time” denies the reality of the incarnation. Jesus was a specific person who entered this world at a particular time, place, and culture. Live, in person sacraments are essential in my opinion because they are rooted in the incarnation.
ThatGuyKC says
Even though I’m a church social media manager my first reaction is to reject the idea of participating in communion online. However, I don’t know if that opinion is necessarily biblical. Then again, just because something is permissible, doesn’t mean it’s profitable. (Actual scripture references escape me at the moment.)
I think online church is great, but connecting with physical people in community in a tangible space is crucial. Online community is a supplement for physical community not a substitute.
Now, as in every case, there are exceptions. But I don’t think this should be the norm.
Wes says
I’m actually a fan of communion at home. For the first several years of the Church, it was consumed exclusively at home, only difference now would be that there is a live stream in your living room with you.