MidTnAg said:
AgLiving06 said:
I suspect there will be a good correlation between who returns and the Church's view of Communion.
I think in denominations/groups where Communion is more symbolic, the necessity of being physically in Church becomes less, especially if we assume that more Churches will retain online services.
However, if you're at a Church that is more liturgical and places a higher focus on the real presence, the more they are going to desire to come back to really commune with God.
So the only way any individual can really communicate with God is in a church? You're kidding I hope. What church do you go to?
I'm not sure how you could read what I wrote and come to that conclusion?
We can look at the simple fact that the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran Churches are all foregoing "in person" Liturgy/Mass in favor of online versions to see that what you wrote doesn't work.
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The distinction I'm making is around why you would want/need to be in Church, and being specific to Communion.
If you are a Non-Denom/Protestant Church that holds that Communion is symbolic or not the purpose of going to Church, than being at home/online worship is perfectly acceptable. Many Churches are also offering "online communion" based on that logic. This also means the average person gets to feel like they are experiencing the entire service.
However, if you are Catholic/Orthodoxy/Lutheran and hold that the Liturgy/Mass is about Communion and experiencing the Body/Blood of Christ, than online services are never going to be sufficient because you do not get to experience the entire service, and primarily the reason for being there.
None of this is a knock on anybody in particular, but what I think will be a key factor.
But as another example, I was listen to the Ted Cruz Podcast "The Verdict" yesterday on my run.
He talked about how he's doing Church now (1st Baptist Church in Houston).
He made a couple comments that I found interesting:
1. He was "sad not to be able to sing and have the music and have worship together."
2. That in talking to his Pastor, online viewership was growing like crazy, from people who wouldn't normally attend/watch.
Two things jumped out to me about what he said:
1. The thing that jumped out at me was exactly what I said above. He doesn't mention communion at all. Why? Just a slip or maybe it's that since Baptist hold to the symbolic view, it's "part of the service" vs being "the reason for the service."
2. The casual viewer is likely going to enjoy that kind of service more simply because they can experience the full service without having to go to the actual building.
Again, not a knock on anyone specifically, but a highlight of a structural difference that does exist.
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As for me, I'm Lutheran.