Six months ago, I made the choice to visit an on-line church service. Nowadays, Sunday mornings from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., I am in front of the computer.
What Critics Say
To find out, I did a Google Search. I found critics, both pastors and parishioners, who felt there were major missing elements within the on-line churches. For example,
- Corporate worship, praying and studying the bible together.
- Serving one another and reaching out in mission together.
- Encouraging each other through personal face-to-face interactions.
- Taking Communion.
- God needing your physical presence in the church.
Why I Made the Choice
Hubby and I retired and relocated to Florida four years ago; and, we spent the first three years visiting church after church looking for the right one to call our home. Unsuccessful, I decided to accept a cousin’s invitation to visit her church service online in Chicago. I had two options to worship:
- On-Demand Recording at my convenience; or
- Live Video Streaming during the actual church service.
Because, I wanted to hold on to the tradition of attending church on Sunday mornings, I chose the Live Video Streaming option.
After the first visit, I knew this was the church for ME.
First, the biblical teachings, mission, and focus on social justice mirrored MY former church. I wanted to keep worshipping within the “comfort zone” I had grown accustomed to. And, these two churches embraced MY religious needs as a Black Christian seeking a positive spiritual, ethnic, and cultural experience within a church environment.
Second, the weekly Live Video Streaming church services connects ME with family members who attend this church. The opportunity to build a stronger religious relationship, though we are separated by thousands of miles, has improved the quality of my life. On any given Sunday it is possible to briefly connect with:
- Cousin G, a Deacon in the church, singing in the Men’s Choir.
- Cousin S’s young granddaughter, member, Children’s Praise Dance Team.
- Cousin S, an Ordained Minister and long-time church member.
- Cousin-In-Law D, a Deacon in the church, sitting in his designated pew.
Oftentimes, I will text, telephone, or e-mail Cousin S about a service.
Initially I had serious reservations about worshipping at an on-line church:
- Self-Doubt made me ask, “How will others view this decision?”
- Self-Awareness stepped in saying, “Who cares, it’s your choice.”
- Self-Empowerment gave ME the courage to accept, acknowledge, and embrace MY choice.
Though HUBBY supports MY decision, HE has yet to join ME for an on-line church service. I’m just waiting. After all, we have been partnering as a married couple for almost fifty-four years. He’ll come around.
SeasonedSistah 
Yvonne, if the online church meets your needs and you are praising God, I say, good for you! I think it is better than attending a church where you are not comfortable. – Maureen
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Thank you for your comment. I am pleased with my choice and look forward to Sunday mornings. Although, sometimes flawed technology enters the picture. For example, for the fist time the church’s transmission line went down. But, re-started prior to sermon. I will view the on-line service either at 6:00 p.m. today or today’s recording later this week
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Ma, am, I agree with you on it being really difficult to find a Church that you feel comfortable with, my wife and I also searched and searched before we finally found one. Blessings to you and your hubbly, God bless.
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Thank you for your comments. I am pleased with my choice. Sometimes flawed technology enters the picture. For example, for the fist time the church’s transmission line went down. But, re-started prior to sermon. I will view the on-line service either at 6:00 p.m. today or today’s recording later this week
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We have been members for 39 years of a church that is broadcast on television. It is seen by thousands every Sunday morning, many of whom are in prisons here in the San Joaquin Valley. Our Baptist church has always seen this as a mission. We are now online, also, and the sermons can be seen and heard at any time one wishes.
Those are all good things, and I am pleased we offer these ways to minister to those who cannot attend Sunday services. However, in those 39 years of attendance, things have changed that make me sad. We no longer have an organ or a hymnal. All music is percussion and praise choruses. We have chairs instead of pews. The board of deacons can no longer have older people on it but rather only young, hip members. Sermons are becoming more and more discussion group and focus group style. Sunday School has been abandoned for small groups. Even children’s Sunday School is seen as a time for the kids to play and be happy but not a time to teach them much about the Bible. Oh, and the Bible of course has been replaced by a smart phone version.
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