Have you heard of virtual church? The virtual church concept is primarily a way for people to be a part of a church without actually going there. People can get online, hear podcasts of excellent preachers, taped or live, have people pray for them, and hear wonderful and inspiring music and they can even go online to confess their sins. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Does an ancient book like the Bible have anything to say about this technology? Today, let’s consider three passages which help us evaluate how this fits in with God’s Word about relating with each other:

I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete. (2 John 1:12)

For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face. (3 John 1:14)

Whenever Moses went out to the Tent of Meeting, all the people would get up and stand in the entrances of their own tents. They would all watch Moses until he disappeared inside. As he went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and hover at its entrance while the LORD spoke with Moses. When the people saw the cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, they would stand and bow down in front of their own tents. Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. (Exodus 33:8-11a)

All of today’s passages contain the phrase, “face to face.” When God wanted to communicate His intimacy with Moses, He met with him “face to face.” When John the Apostle wanted to communicate to his friends his deepest concerns for them, he saved this most important communication for when he could meet with them face to face. The phrase “face to face” is the language of friendship and intimacy in the Bible. I love my friends but I really love to be with them face to face. I love the internet, too. It’s a great way to do research; a great way to stay in touch with friends and relatives, a great way to entertain myself. But church isn’t just about good teaching and good music. We don’t need to be in church to experience those things. The problem I see with virtual church is that it cannot truly be face to face. Without being physically present we cannot experience the same personal connections with the pastor and with one another in the congregation. Online, we cannot experience the same kind of community, accountability, relational joy—and aggravation—with each other as when we are face to face. The greatest danger of virtual church might be that it feels relational enough to fulfill the easiest and most instantly satisfying parts of community—worship and teaching—while avoiding the harder, more demanding parts of community—the interactions and conversations with individuals that change us.

Today, I really appreciate the opportunity to serve you by sharing God’s Word online, but don’t forget to share your life and faith by gathering and interacting with other believers. God loves it when we gather together…face to face!