Not by Internet alone

Virtual church can't replace real thing

By Dina Mann, January 09, 2009 [Episcopal Life] My bachelor of divinity dissertation was on The Theology of Panentheism, Immanence and Transcendence, yet I feel challenged by the idea of virtual church ("Worshipping online: Is it really church?" October) as a way of Christian worship. I know that God and Jesus are present in this enterprise, and I have to agree with Professor [Julie] Lytle that "we are an incarnational tradition, and along comes the disembodied Internet." Likewise, I have to agree with the Rev. Matthew Moretz that "real community demands human touch."

I recently asked a client that I care for about his feelings on televised and virtual church services. He watches them often because illness prevents him from attending "real church." He said he felt "alone" because there were no people physically around him. He felt disconnected.

My own experience of online prayer and worship is also along these lines. For awhile I attended Compline online and felt a sense of desolation.

I also recall a time about seven years ago when I was on my computer and suddenly received an urgent e-mail alert that wasn't spam. Opening it, I learned that my CPE (clinical pastoral education) buddy had been killed instantly only an hour or so after our nightly in-the-parking-lot [gripe] sessions about our respective supervisors at the hospital.

The e-mail closed with "let's pray." I thought, "Yeah, really, just me and the computer. Let's pray ... in my lonely, inconsolable shock." A live voice would have elicited a different response from me.

Recently, I had to take a leave from my church activities to assist a geriatric patient in getting her affairs in order. I chose to stay in touch with the parish through phone calls, often daily, and writing for the church bulletin. I have come to believe that it is our incarnate Christian contact with one another that heals us and, in turn, makes us vessels that are the "living reminders" (to quote Henri Nouwen) of Christ's presence.

I believe the internet to be a remarkable tool and resource as well as a fine supplement for spiritual growth. It is wonderful taken with the real food of church attendance, just as we take vitamin supplements with real food. We shouldn't "eat" vitamins in place of food.

-- Chaplain Dina Mann of New York works as a pastoral and substance abuse counselor. To respond to this column, email personally@episcopal-life.org. We welcome your own Personally column.

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