Is chatting on CC a sufficient alternative to church?

[AAAPlus]

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Bible doesn't say specifically "go to church", but it has this verse which evangelical scholars take to mean a Christian should be involved in a church community. Without stating my own opinion on this quite yet, I know that some people on Christian Chat don't go to church for various reasons (the most common ones are that churches make them feel judged, or they don't like the people, or there arent any "good ones" nearby). Instead, they find CC as a suitable alternative for fellowship, accountability, service, etc.

This question only applies to Christians of course; does coming on this website and chatting with people count as church fellowship? If not, what makes it different or unsuitable?

[zeroturbulence]

The Jews attended the synagogue regularly, and Jesus preached in the synagogue. Church is just the continuation of the jewish synagogue, which was originally established by God with Moses. Therefore, just as the jews attended mass, so should we as christians.

[keep_on_smiling]

I find CC to be a wonderful place to come and share with others what our Lord has done or is doing in our lives. CC is a great way for people to encourage others and be encouraged by others. I find that discussions and bible study can really be a way to learn and explore different things/ideas. I think it's great especially for those who can't go to church for whatever reason, but for ME I don't see CC as an acceptable alternative. I feel in my heart that I am suppose to be at my church. The Lord has different plans for each one of His children, so I can't really say it's unacceptable alternative for others.

From church I get incredible worship and a gathering of people that have even more similar beliefs and value systems than those that come here. I tend to be quiet and can see how being online would be tempting, but I feel face to face interaction is pretty special. Also church is more structured in a sense, it's easy to come to CC and not even talk about the Lord, so I find church to be more purposeful at times. I know the Lord wants us to worship Him, so church is an easy way to make sure we do that.

Man...everything in me wants to say yes, but no. In all fairness, what CANT you do here that you can do in church??? You can encourage, exhort, rebuke, pray (it might be odd, but im sure you can), etc, etc. Also, people on here don't have the need to put on a pious front, since we're online it is much easier to be real because you have more of a chance of getting input from people who care (cus the forums are voluntary and open to EVERYONE). The only reason I say no is because you cant get a group of people to sing and worship, pray together. If they could have some multiple webcam chat like Google+ or something I would probably say yes you can. We're in the 21st centry for crying out loud!

[Nalu]

For me personally speaking, if a person is confined to a hospital room, or confined to their house due to an injury or disability, I would say yes.

In my case I consider this one of the three Church/Christian fellowships I attend.

Two local area Church/Christian fellowships and this world wide, international internet Church/Christian Fellowship.

[AAAPlus]

Originally Posted by HhhLGA89

Man...everything in me wants to say yes, but no. In all fairness, what CANT you do here that you can do in church??? You can encourage, exhort, rebuke, pray (it might be odd, but im sure you can), etc, etc. Also, people on here don't have the need to put on a pious front, since we're online it is much easier to be real because you have more of a chance of getting input from people who care (cus the forums are voluntary and open to EVERYONE). The only reason I say no is because you cant get a group of people to sing and worship, pray together. If they could have some multiple webcam chat like Google+ or something I would probably say yes you can. We're in the 21st centry for crying out loud!

Also you don't have the accountability you have in a church community. Here you can be a jerk to people, or just troll around, create a new account and BOOM...fresh start. In a real church, you have to deal with people face-to-face. If you just sit in the back and never do anything, people take notice. Whether or not they do anything depends on the church...but there is still the accountability factor. I think here the accountability is exactly zero. Sure, you'll get banned if you're acting crazy or cussing up the place, but aside from that, you pretty much have free reign. There is a certain level of impersonal-ness. Whatever happens, at the end of the day, you're behind a computer screen. You're anonymous and no one ACTUALLY knows who you are. People only see what you tell them about yourself, and nothing else.

[perdonato]

Absolutely not. There are many components to a church gathering together aside from just fellowship. I feel CC offers a place for fellowship, but there are a lot of key components that are not practiced regularly. I can be connected to someone online... but it compares little to those I'm connected to in reality. I know there are times when people are unable to leave the house or are stuck somewhere (as said above) but those are the times when the church needs to be coming to you so that you can have time for prayer, worship, scripture and everything else that should be practiced on a regular basis as a body. And if that's not possible, then perhaps cc is okay until that season ends... but, honestly, I just can't stand to think that this is a good substitute for anybody. Interacting online and interacting offline are much too different.

[Ritter]

No. Just...No.

Originally Posted by AAAPlus

Also you don't have the accountability you have in a church community. Here you can be a jerk to people, or just troll around, create a new account and BOOM...fresh start. In a real church, you have to deal with people face-to-face. If you just sit in the back and never do anything, people take notice. Whether or not they do anything depends on the church...but there is still the accountability factor. I think here the accountability is exactly zero. Sure, you'll get banned if you're acting crazy or cussing up the place, but aside from that, you pretty much have free reign. There is a certain level of impersonal-ness. Whatever happens, at the end of the day, you're behind a computer screen. You're anonymous and no one ACTUALLY knows who you are. People only see what you tell them about yourself, and nothing else.

I agree, but I think that ability to be a jerk shows how authentic online can be in comparison to someone who, in person, may want to say something impolite but are too afraid of getting judged for it (I’m not saying we should want to be rude). They still think it in their hearts so i'd rather them be real and say it anyways...and if someone did have the courage to say something rude in person, what makes you think it wouldn’t be just as easy for them to BOOM start going to another church? People going up to someone who is inactive in church isn't always the case, but depends on the church; it also depends on the size of the congregation, so its not like that’s always the case. They're are people who are dangerously inactive in church and dreadfully lonely who never have anyone come up to them and say something...also, if you can find a core group of people online who you can be real with I don’t see the difference. Just like you cannot be sure who someone is on this site, you cant be sure if the guy smiling and saying 'praise the Lord' on Sunday is actually a total hypocrite. and most people only see each other on Sunday (maybe Wednesday) for a few hours. Its just as easy for you make yourself whoever you want to be in person. I'm just being the antagonist though, my answer is no, as i said. I just think that if someone was really dedicated they could in theory make it work...

[Siberian_Khatru]

"alternative" is a touchy word, here. I believe CC to be an excellent place for fellowship, but little more outside of that.

But as you (OP) stated already, some have not found a suitable church. So this is really subjective.

[kayem77]

No, and by the way I JUST FOUND A CHURCH! (in real life) just wanted to share Feels awesome to be a part of the physical church with other christians, learn together, pray together,worship together...priceless.

[zeroturbulence]

Originally Posted by kayem77

No, and by the way I JUST FOUND A CHURCH! (in real life) just wanted to share Feels awesome to be a part of the physical church with other christians, learn together, pray together,worship together...priceless.

That's great, Karla!! And they are very lucky to have you!

[kayem77]

Aww thanks Mr.Gabe! I'm feeling really thankful to God for this opportunity

[violakat]

Originally Posted by AAAPlus

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Bible doesn't say specifically "go to church", but it has this verse which evangelical scholars take to mean a Christian should be involved in a church community. Without stating my own opinion on this quite yet, I know that some people on Christian Chat don't go to church for various reasons (the most common ones are that churches make them feel judged, or they don't like the people, or there arent any "good ones" nearby). Instead, they find CC as a suitable alternative for fellowship, accountability, service, etc.

This question only applies to Christians of course; does coming on this website and chatting with people count as church fellowship? If not, what makes it different or unsuitable?

I think it can. There are many people who can't attend church for one reason or another. And the only way for them to interact with other Christians is via the internet. So for them, fellow shipping takes a different venue. Should it replace church altogether, no. Simply because we sometimes need to know that physically, there are others there who will stand by us.

[violakat]

Originally Posted by AAAPlus

Also you don't have the accountability you have in a church community. Here you can be a jerk to people, or just troll around, create a new account and BOOM...fresh start. In a real church, you have to deal with people face-to-face. If you just sit in the back and never do anything, people take notice. Whether or not they do anything depends on the church...but there is still the accountability factor. I think here the accountability is exactly zero. Sure, you'll get banned if you're acting crazy or cussing up the place, but aside from that, you pretty much have free reign. There is a certain level of impersonal-ness. Whatever happens, at the end of the day, you're behind a computer screen. You're anonymous and no one ACTUALLY knows who you are. People only see what you tell them about yourself, and nothing else.

Actually the banning is a form of accountability. It shows that CC will not tolerate certain actions. Also, before people get banned, the mods try and give them several warnings, to give them a chance to change their actions, or allow them to explain their side of the situation.

[zeroturbulence]

Originally Posted by violakat

Actually the banning is a form of accountability. It shows that CC will not tolerate certain actions. Also, before people get banned, the mods try and give them several warnings, to give them a chance to change their actions, or allow them to explain their side of the situation.

Yea I wish I could ban people hehe.

[Crossfire]

Christianity, by definition, was never intended to be a 'religion' per say but rather personal intimacy with God which leads to a transformed life.

Authentic Church is basically the same however the roles have been changed. Church, by definition, was never intended to be a gathering of people (ie. social club) with shared ideals but rather personal intimacy with people which leads to transformed lives.

If the Church in general would attempt to live up to the Biblical standard as dictated by God rather than the lofty and worldly ideas as dictated by man, a website like this, or any other for that matter, should not even come close to real Church. Unfortunately, because churches are now created in the image of man rather than the image of God, today's churches leave way too much to be desired.

I can't begin to count the number of people that I have met in my lifetime who profess Christianity yet won't step foot in a church for whatever reason. This only goes to show not only the immaturity of Christians on an individual basis but also the immaturity of the church and it's inability to disciple properly.

Depends. Are we acting as the body of Christ should? If so, then I think it's good. But it is also good to attend an actual service together and worship our great Father in heaven.

[GreenNnice]

Originally Posted by AAAPlus

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The Bible doesn't say specifically "go to church", but it has this verse which evangelical scholars take to mean a Christian should be involved in a church community. Without stating my own opinion on this quite yet, I know that some people on Christian Chat don't go to church for various reasons (the most common ones are that churches make them feel judged, or they don't like the people, or there arent any "good ones" nearby). Instead, they find CC as a suitable alternative for fellowship, accountability, service, etc.

This question only applies to Christians of course; does coming on this website and chatting with people count as church fellowship? If not, what makes it different or unsuitable?

------
The Lord leads. Follow Him, through prayer, scripture, do God things, like help others, sacrifices, forgivenesses, mercies, and, the rest will become known

[FirePanther]

Honestly speaking without going to church this chat has no sense. And without a persona relationship with god even going to church can be pointless :P