A Church Online

A while back a denominational leader in the Southern Baptist Church looked me up because I was reccommended as a Web developer with desires to be utilized by the Church (recommended by an acquaintance who was unaware of the opinions I had expressed on my Weblog about the antics of the Southern Baptist Leadership over the past two decades,  which I tend to characterize as somewhat ignorant and theologically bigoted,  and which I find little eveidence to think otherwise).   This leader, while interested enough with my credentials to look me up,  abandoned consideration of me because of my views were critical of them.....but even had I refrained from speaking my mind on these issues on my weblog,  I'm sure also that the theological views expressed on nearly every topic I address wouold have given this leader cause to reject me as a candidate for a position because it does not fit with the new Southern Baptist "views",  therefore rendering me "unfit" for them.  On that I would agree.  Nearly every visit to their websites end up repelling me with the constant barrage of conservative propaganda and stances against women,  against gays,  against "liberalism",  and "pro-Republican", "tow the line" politics.  The very fibre of their site is propaganda rather than community.  They hold up as "community" only those posts which express solidarity with their culture of theological intimidation and paranoia.  

Not only do I find that environment in oppostion to true community,  I find it suffocating closed off to true dialogue.  In the online world,  this is more of a sin that it is in the offline world (not really,  but it is more of an "anti-net" stance because it censors dialogue,  which is blasphemous.  

The Cluetrain Manifesto holds up "conversation" as the key;  "Markets are conversation".  So too,  I believe,  is the Church or any legitimate theological community which truly welcomes the seeker.  Cluetrain authors emphasize the building of communities of interest,  where common passions bind users and encourage the contribtion of content which flows from their very being;  their passions and interests and concerns.

The Southern Baptist heritage I grew up in prior to the past couple of decades always "contained" the diversity of theological views within an overall theology of "one in Christ".  Now "Christ" has been redefined by many in their leadership roles as a set of theological viewpoints,  and is becoming increasingly "narrowed" down to mean just what its leaders want it to mean.  The Bible and their interpretations of it have replaced Jesus as Lord.  They worship a book and the implications they narrowly apply. 

The Christian Community I feel is crucial for the Church in the coming decades is one which calls the Church to be the Church in every cultural context;  the online world is a cultural context in which the Church must begin to build "places" online where the shape of the Church for the future can be explored,   and where Christ can be invited to dwell among us and call us to build alliances and communities which extend and transform the meaning of Church;  the community of Christ.

© Copyright 2003 Dale Lature. Last update: 9/23/2003; 3:38:29 PM.