SimChurch: Being the Church in the Virtual World Review

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SimChurch: Being the Church in the Virtual World ReviewWhen Zondervan sent me a copy of 'SimChurch' by Douglas Estes (no relation) I assumed I was holding a book that encouraged traditional churches to update their decade-old websites and get their weekend services online. Boy was I wrong. Apparently while I wasted time mastering Rock Band in my basement other nerds have been experimenting how to have a virtual expression of the Church.
Viewing church services on the Internet is mostly a passive experience, just like watching an TV evangelist. Virtual churches have made a major leap beyond the one-sided nature of viewing a service. Community happens through the Internet; it just may not be the same definition of community that we grew up with. Each generation learns how it is going to connect with each other and technology is a major factor in that decision. The same can be said for churches. What the printing press, automobiles and air conditioning did to change the way society interacts, and the way churches meet, is happening again with the Internet. Whether or not we like the changes, it is here to stay. If a church wants to stay ahead of the curve, learning how to connect with this generation then they need to get plugged in. If, instead, they jump up and down on their pews, pound their pulpits and tip over the baptismal because they think their way of doing church is `right' they need to remember that most churches through history have had none of the conveniences they just threw their temper tantrum trying to defend.
This book was not written by someone on the inside trying to state a case for their virtual gaming world or new church software. Douglas Estes is the pastor of a real, brick and mortar church in San Jose, California; he has a PhD in Theology and is an Adjunct Professor of the New Testament at Western Seminary. He has put together a very thought provoking study of this new expression and isn't afraid to ask very specific, important questions:
* Is a virtual church a real, authentic, and valid expression of the Church of Jesus Christ?
* Can virtual community really work? How can virtual churches reenergize Christian community?
* Can avatars know God? Can the people of God experience spiritual growth as avatars?
* How will virtual churches change the way we `do' church? Are virtual sacraments and other faith practices possible or valid (or just inevitable)?
* How should virtual churches relate to traditional authority? Can virtual churches harness the power of decentralization without further fractioning Christianity?
* How can virtual churches confront sin and brokenness in the virtual world? What are the ethical issues facing virtual churches?
* What must a church do to turn a jumble of digital content into an Internet campus? What are the ingredients of healthy, virtual-campus life?
* Can a virtual church be a missional church? How will virtual churches engage in various forms of ministry? What types of virtual ministries will arise?
* How will virtual churches build communities? Will they be global or local? What are the dangers associated with churches based on virtual social connectivity?
* Will virtual churches open up the Gospel to all people? What will virtual churches teach us about the nature of being the church?
If you've been already been asking some of these questions then you will love the head start this book will give you towards the discussion. If you haven't been asking these questions, maybe you should be- if not for yourself, for the generation around you.
The truth is some people are more present and participatory in a virtual church setting than many people who passively attended a brick and mortar church. Some people who attend normal churches find more significant relationships online than they do on Sunday mornings. And those who see themselves as missional need to recognize that there is a new world for them evangelize, a whole new continent where many people are living. How will we be the church with them?
Even if you never attend a church service in Second Life, or one of the other virtual platforms, I hope you will consider reading this book to help understand and engage with the world you are living in.SimChurch: Being the Church in the Virtual World Overview

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