“Still, Nathan Karline says the message is the same. He hasn’t been to a real church since finding faith in Second Life.”

And here in lies the problem, no community, no church. It is true that this can be said of any media outlet, but unless that media source is telling those who isolate themselves that this in no way is what church was meant to be, there are some serious dangers.

My buddy once told me that this is my church as he pointed to the rugged outcropping of rocks, surrounded by tall trees.  “Nothing like the Sierras to inspire your worship of the creator, he told me.” “I agree,” I said, since I grew up trekking these same mountains, fishing the lake we were standing by and camping in the campground to which we would soon head.  As we sat by the fire that night I asked him if we could talk more about his church.  He obliged me and began to tell me of all the places he connects with God, an actual church being the last one. (okay it didn’t even make the list) As he shared his experiences as a kid in a church, the way he felt there and the way he felt here in the pristine creation, the actual church could not compare. 

I waited till he was done talking and asked him if I could respond with one question?  I said, “lets say that while we are here, enjoying friendship and the cathedral that has a ceiling painted by God with the stars of heaven.  Let’s say sadly that your wife gets hit by a car and is in ICU.  Which one of these stars, which one of these trees, which one of these lakes will pray for her, visit her, care for you, look after your boys, provide food for her while she recovers, help if your finances run short, encourage you with cleaning, weeding and other practical need you will have as your family recovers?”

After a long pause, a surrendered chuckle, he said none of them.  I looked at him and said, that is the church.  This is beautiful and we certainly can worship God here, but lets not call it the church.  A few months later he gave his heart to Christ, is now a huge part of our church and the best part, he and I still go away to worship God in the created cathedral of nature. 

I love the creativity of life church and second life, but it must point us to a place where our gifts can be used to strengthen and care for each other, reach out to others and develop a picture of God that can only be shaped by community.  If it doesn’t it isn’t church.  I think it should still be done but it isn’t church.

Leonard,
If you don’t mind, I would like to use your story as a devotional from the pulpit?
fishon

Jason,

Leonard’s story is a much more fitting response for community than I could conjure up, so I will second what he said.

Leonard,

I am still waiting for you to write a book! We’ll all buy a copy, I’m sure…

Biblical church is all about community and fellowship with each other, just like the Holy Trinity has… Thanks for the reminder.