The biblical validity of Internet pastors

This is not meant to condemn any people who already have that title, I’m just curious what the Bible says about people who have a congregation online. It’s different. I am just wondering what you guys think about it.

I’m on a server on Discord, which is an online video game chat, and they have actual sermons that are being written for the people on the site. It’s interesting, but like I said it’s kind of different. They can’t really fellowship face-to-face, they may not have any worship services or maybe they do I don’t know. I’m just intrigued. I’m sure God can call all kinds of people to different kinds of ministries, this one is just not one that has been very popular or talked about a lot so I figured I might as well get your opinions on it.

And hey if that is specifically what God called them to and that’s their calling, then let them be obedient and reach people who maybe wouldn’t be reached otherwise!

It is interesting.

Some people will not darken a church door but they will read a sermon online. The only downside to this is that the internet is not controlled as to what is allowed to be preached, therefore, there are cultists of every shade imaginable. But praise God there are some that are honest, and true doctrinally that are presenting the gospel online. I would not refer to them as pastors by any stretch - I might consider them evangelists to some degree.

I suppose that if they get a large enough following they might consider themselves pastors, but they are not - they are simply witnesses that are very effectively utilizing what may well be the last missionary field.

I agree with your closing statement.

Who are their bishops, elders, who controls them and who put them into the position of authority?

Church had many organs, there is no "one man church" in the Bible.

People can anonymously discuss and talk about theology etc, but nobody should be an anonymous pastor, apostle and similar. Internet makes us all to be equal laymen ;-)

The only way to honestly give an opinion would be to see these sermons. Do you have a link to a few?

Remember, not all sermons are from God--yet they sound very biblical.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (II Corinthians 11:13-15).

I think it's a stretch to call anyone a "pastor" who does not meet the people face to face, get to know them personally, and craft presentations accordingly. There are plenty of sermonizers who have the inkling to teach, but for one reason or another, aren't recognized as teachers in their own real-world contexts. Someone who simply writes sermons and shares them online isn't a pastor but a preacher. That's not necessarily bad, but they simply are not the same thing.

The term "pastor" is much overused, imho. Many people in such roles are teachers, evangelists, or administrators with a few people skills. In my view, if a person is intending to "pastor" a flock online, they need to put as much or more effort into contacting people individually, doing their best to interact personally, building relationship and trust, and praying for them, as they put into preparing sermons. There is plenty of teaching available on any biblical subject. Better to point people to the good work another has done, do enough homework to understand it, and facilitate a discussion around it. Material that is irrelevant to one's life situation will likely be forgotten anyway.

Exactly. Who are you going to call when you need personal counseling? or which of them is going to visit and pray with you or a loved one in the hospital.

This is the same criticism I have with the so-called television pastors.

They are biblical entertainers . . . that is all.

You are generous with your assessment.

My 2 cents
Faith comes by hearing the preaching of Christ. We preach Christ not our own selves. . Men can plant the incorruptible seed and others water it with the doctrines of God, the gospel .But God must work in them to both will and perform His good pleasure or there is no salvation .

The ministry of Christ is that the spiritual blind see and the spiritual deaf hear the words of His book (Isaiah 29:18)

John 9:39And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.

I would say the internet provides a wonderful way to go out unto the whole world with the gospel .

Looking at each other face to face is not walking by faith. Denominations provide a good place to hear the gospel .But again if the Holy Spirit does not work in the person to both will and do His good pleasure. Nothing changes nothing.

I would suggest its not so much how we go out with the gospel but if we go out and if he applies it to soften a person heart.

If we do become cave men as in anti-social as one that does pursue selfish ends .I believe he will draw us out. The other alternative simply invites self pride. Like with Elijah who was called to do the great commission .Get out of the cave and make disciples for Christ.

1 Kings 19:11-13 King James Version (KJV) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Technically, a shepherd is not a shepherd until they have sheep to protect and tend to. Which means, a preacher is not a preacher until they have someone to preach to. If there is an actual faithful following via this online sermon, then someone has to be their shepherd/preacher. And if the material used within the sermon is sound doctrine, it's hard to argue this platform is then inadequate. Only God knows if this format is sincere or not.

My suggestion, if you are participating, then take each sermon and make sure it is absolutely backed by the WORD of GOD. If it is, who are we to claim this format is against what God wants. Clearly the internet format was foreseen by God. Clearly God will use any avenue that actually reaches out through TRUTH. I would claim then, all things are possible through God, even via the internet sermons!!

If it is the TRUTH being preached, the Holy Spirit has no boundaries to affect it from reaching the lost and hungry...

I dunno, I think they are right down there with Calvinists.

"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:10-11).

I don’t have any notes from them I’d have to ask them to share them

Do they stream messages? or do they post them in video or text form?

They write them out in text form. Sometimes verbally too on their voice chat.

The online participation between Christians is very beneficial and helpful in many ways for us believers. But nothing takes the place of a local group of believers, united in their faith, and in their service to our Lord, the Holy Spirit filling and using each one. I encourage everyone to belong to a local fellowship of believers in Christ.

Quantrill

Some people say it is better the old way, like hunters that say bow hunting is the best way to go with the excuse that modern guns are evil in comparison to bows with which they used for years, and all natural, but a gun does the job faster and the deer might not suffer as much, or not suffer at all if they get a good shot in, so which is better.

Some will say it is better the old way as how they did it for years reaching out to people face to face, but if the internet is available why not use it, for some are shy but on the internet they might post, and some are shy but can look at a Christian website for it is not face to face, and many can be reached on the internet, and many subjects being discussed, and it would seem like you could learn a great deal, more than a preacher at a Church for much is being taught.

Some people think technology is evil, but it is not, but the problem with technology is it is going to cause the world to be able to come together as one because they can communicate, and travel to each other, to try to establish peace on earth but they will rebel against God, and then it is over for the rulership of the heathen on earth, but it is inevitable, and has to happen.

But evolution is why the world rebels against God as they believe people can still evolve to be greater and spiritual, and they will not acknowledge a higher power, but without technology it would not happen, so they go hand in hand, and without technology just about every nation would believe in a higher power, but that evolution theory was only a handful of people to get the ball rolling, and then became very popular.

The world rebels against God because of technology, and evolution, and without them both together it would never happen.

But the internet, and technology, is going to function, and go on, whether we agree with it or not, so we might as well use it for good as the world uses it for evil.

But we should still reach out to people in person, but in this day and age it would appear the internet reaches more people, as we can reach out to people all over the world, and all the saints could be considered evangelists, and missionaries, because they can do that.

You want to evangelize Africans, boom, you can do it, Arabs, boom, it can happen.

But I would not call myself an internet pastor, or prophet, personally, because I am humble, and do not like to come across as being special above anyone else, but if they want to call themselves that I have no problem with it.

But I know many people like attention, and will blow themselves up for the attention, which I have heard some doozy things come out of people's mouth, or rather seen from their fingertips.

But at the same time people can learn much on the internet concerning truth, many people can learn about the wrong things on the internet like the new age movement interpretation of the Bible, for which way do you go, which way do you go, for every opinion, idea, philosophy, interpretation, and belief, is all on the internet in abundance, and if people only go the internet to learn, what will they learn, as they are being pulled, and prodded, this way and that way.

Agreed... and I recognize that some people are unable to find biblically-sound fellowships in their local areas.