But, seriously, I think the more fundamental question is this. What is a church? What is THE church? Ya gotta answer that question before you can even begin thinking about online vs. offline.

Separate thought, there have been lots of comparisons to the current offline church. Who's to say that is even the right benchmark? Trying to be better than the offline church might be like trying to be better than a pile of crap. I'm not saying it is. But it might be. Right?!

Oh wait…this thread is now 4 days old. That means that we've all moved on to other topics. No time to think. Just comment with top-of-the-mind, reactionary thoughts. Hmmm…maybe the online world is a bit more like the offline world than I thought…this is spooky.

The church exists for a couple reasons…not just one.

1. To lead people to grow. (can't make 'em do it.) Growth happens naturally, and relationships are a primary ingredient for it to happen. Does it happen online or offline? Well relationships become authentic and go deep under one condition (chunks of unhurried time- you define the chunk) Can't happen running in and out of service or small group each week, can't happen logging in and leaving a comment or two here and there. That's why taking a trip or a retreat w/ people takes your relationship to a whole new level almost automatically. You can 'fake yourself' for a few hours, but a few days? Some of the real you has to emerge… So chunks of unhurried time are ESSENTIAL, whether online offline- whatever. There are many church buildings that never provide these conditions for people to grow, just as there are many people who NEVER take advantage of what the building has to offer.

2. The second thing is that the church is Christ's body here on earth. We're supposed to be moving together, insync. Like…we're actually supposed to be doing something on this planet. Is this possible online? Yes. Is it possible offline? Yes. Does it happen often enough in either arena? No.
It can happen online, might require more strategy and require a lot of coordination…the Compassion Bloggers trips are an example of that. It can happen offline as we come together and the local church impacts the life OUTSIDE of its walls. We're all aware that it requires money to create a message and a place where people will come and encounter God (especially in this generation) But the outsider will always see the church as feeding itself when we focus the majority of our efforts and budgets on this. But what can the outsiders say when we're serving them, on their turf? Feeding the hungry. Taking care of the orphans. Sharing the goodnews that they are reconciled to God. It's been done. Jesus paid it all.

I don't care where your church is online/offiline…let's just make it happen- cause the world really needs us to be Jesus on this earth.

And while the web thing is a kind of community, and is better than nothing, and maybe better than what people've been getting in church (which is sad), you can't seriously think web community is enough, or be fully what Jesus had in mind, can you?

Side note: I can't wait to answer the question: “What denomination are you?”, with “Safari”.

So, I'd be weary of some giddy venture capitalist grabbing a few developers and setting out to start a revolution. Instead, we could pray and pay attention to the revolution(s) already happening and hope for them to spread online.

This is what makes Ragamuffin Soul what it is – it's a movement that started offline (in you, Los) and likely would have found a way regardless of wires, web, and whatever.

Great post! I hope this can happen too!

One othere thought: how can we accomplish most if not any of the NT church commands unless we're together?

Just my thoughts….thanks for bringing this up Carlos…it's something that needs to be talked about/thought through.

not sure if my input makes sense. But i like your thinking. Outside the four walls is always a good direction for the church to move!

And they say online community isn't valid. What do they know???