Digital Ecclesiology: A Global Conversation Edited by Heidi A Campbell Editorial Assistance by Sophia Osteen All essays remain the property and under the copyright of their respective authors.

(cc) 2020 BY-NC-SA This Creative Commons license lets others remix, adapt, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as they credit this original work and license their new creations under the identical terms. Derivative works may not be sold for profit.

Digital Ecclesiology: Digital Religion Publications An Imprint of the A Global Conversation Network for New Media, Religion & Digital Culture Studies Visit our website at www.digitalreligion.tamu.edu

Edited by Heidi A Campbell

Digital Religion Publications

An Imprint of the Network for New Media, Religion & Digital Culture Studies DigitalEcclesiology 6) 5) 4) 3) 2) 1)

University of Jos,of Nigeria University JustineJohnLecturerin Dyikuk, EraChurch Pandemic Digital Stellenbosch,of South University Africa Assoc Anita Cloete, The TheologicalSingapore College, Methodistof Roland Studies,Trinity Professor Chia, Pandemic EcclesiologyAn for LifeApart: of Together, Time a USA University, Berger, Teresa COVID Viral: Goes @ Worship Catolica do Universidade Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Fellow,Amaro AlineResearch da Silva, In of Times Society and Pandemic Diverse Ways The of Campbell Heidi A EcclesiologyDigital Conversation on Look Like? I An Digital Ecclesiology: A GlobalDigital ConversationEcclesiology: ntroduction Ch -

urch is urch Ecclesiology:Setting for the Post Parameters a 19World

2

0

M ProfessorLiturgicalof Studies,Yale TableContentsof

oving to to

, Professor, Texas A&M Professor,A&M , Texas University 1 4 iate Professorin Practical Theology, DigitalEcclesiology

Being Church Being in Digital the

3 O

2 in Online a n(line)

2 Communication Mass 7

7

Pontifica : What Does :What a

3

, -

7) 11) 10) 9) 8)

Norway ProfessorEss, Emertius, UniversityCharles of Oslo, Philosophical and Considerations the Age? Analytical,in Corona Church” Theological the Binary?” “Beyond Consider 7 Digital Emerging Keyan Themes Ecclesiology University Campbell andHeidi A A&M Sophia Texas Osteen, and Ecclesiology:Digital TowardsMoving a Key Themes Notreof University MatthewPaulJohn Tan, Senior Lecturerin Theology, Praxis Church, Good, Common Online and Sacramental PacificUniversity, USA Bala Era Digital Spiritual Connection Church: Community and the in Re Germany University, FlorianHöhne, Humbolt Lecturerin Theology, for the After Vision The - Imagining and inPresenceImagining Virtual Place the Considerations A. A.

58

Musa, ProfessorMusa, of Church

0 5

3

Af .

ter theter Corona ImpulsesTheological for a Agenda -

Australia 6

5

Digital How Digital “the is Communication, Azusa

Crisis

4 0

48

1

A Global Conversation DigitalEcclesiology

2

A Global Conversation shifts? mediatedthese part of as normal?become increasingly faith of Would expressions social lookif distancing like became thelong after gathering of forms theof church.thefuture offline toreturn Couldjust churches face from theshift myFacebook filled each Sunday,feed what to I began wonder onmembetheir worshipchoices and implications themedia potential their of myadvice ontechnology using the practices best for for withandministers church asking offline, online leaders, and D thatin bans resulted on most gatherings. church toanswer social i quicklyembraced the could earlier beendescribed have as foundit novelhowwho few a leaders, religious just weeks to interested I was watch25 years, how responded. churches I theimpact the of wasdeclaredglobal a pandemic.a As InCOVID March 2020, as in I foundGermany just myself the Online Pushes Church A Pandemic DigitalEcclesiology nternetthat once was theviewed with became suspicion ue to my expertise, I was quicklyI was uetodrawn myexpertise, into conversations An Introduction to Introduction An Conversation EcclesiologyDigital Conversation on Look Like? rs. As more and As more onliners. service worship - distancingpolicies lockdownsand community i nternet on religious communities for nearly nearly for nterneton communities religious -

to - i face toface online services might mean for nternet for religious worship. religious nternetfor Thesame Heidi A

DigitalEcclesiology: thepandemic? church would What - Campbell 1

-

technologically scholar who has studiedscholar who has

- What Does What a termnew

resistant, resistant,

- 19 s

scholarwith intraining theology, and 2020April experimentationsthat happenedMarch the word around in The thisproject emerged. online innovations and Itwasin the midstcircumstances these of that and questions to date, there are nothese of to are books date,there that on focussolely either in theological contexts becomecommonconversation of increasingly areas “ and Theology Digital Ecclesiology Conversations Emerging as World Church Technology in & Post Conversation on a that identity.theareas These are implication howof can church’suses shapea these religious and waslittle there gatherings, reflectionhappening on the implementingworship for technology and mediated creating focusedprimarily were onthe Italsobecame thatclear mostand pastors leaders church used, and the missional justificationsstrategies behind them. the commonconcern,identify of areas dominant tech and to try urge social thesestrong to media.a gather Ifelt insights c ecclesiologicalthe for technology of the questions use around of Online,I sawmany my colleaguesalsoof working in thea around implicationsemerging the decisions made.being and to conversationemerging provokea on the theological thequestions and technologicalasked being responses D hurch,and alsothinking onout on blogs issues loud similar a igital igital d cademic journals

igital igital this

seeksto address. t wisdomto incentral together a spaceinorder heology” “ andeven t heology,which multiple explores ethical and constituted

like like like

the Society of Biblical Literature, andthe Society Biblicalof Literature, the

a unique moment. As a mediaa moment. As unique a Journal of Theology of Practical Journal d igital igital pragmaticaspectsof

I felt it was vital to wasvital it capture I felt Digital Ecclesiology e cclesiology” ha - Pandemic ve within : A Global A :

rea rea . Yet

3

A Global Conversation asserted thepast decade,strongly that I have technology communitiesdigitally promotedby authenticity churchbring online technologythe ethosthemayalter ofchurch. use Doing importantsuchhow as questions theological generate, they onthan platforms,digitalthe practices rather best using theof frommyobservations amongst churchand Yettheological leaders online. educators practicesin doing onlinechurch become have popular SinceMarch 2020,and online about conversation trends conceptual modelsandchurch, of meaning theological andhow might andchoices shape these inform lit church by theologicalraised issues worship. Itdoes complexitychurchesof the using groups change,religious Church Distanced thisconversation inin the current moment. Yet essays peopleby around the world month,e thisfree online worshiptheir duringthe pandemic.services one In churcheschallenges encountered and leaders their inmoving 15and pastors 15relating on issues mediato scholars Online Church library university toan e this is theof global facets challengedon orprimarily raised theological that are issues by topics.alsocurrentlyno Thereare published workst DigitalEcclesiology of - b (2020) virtual and the understanding of communion virtual the understanding and ookself I recently not ,

- focusmoretechnological of on issues The Distanced Church: ReflectionsDistanced The Church: Doin on b

s c o

offer any deep reflection on the deepany reflection on the offer oronaviruspandemic. exception Theonly intoquestion . ok has received over 10,000 over okreceived has downloads

, most, discussionsfocusedthese of have The DistancedThe Church ’

medianegotiations, and the

churches’ ,

demonstrating - i published throughmy nternet for religious religious nternetfor

issues such the as issues

mediated gatherings. Formediated gatherings. technologyintegration

theimportanceof offers essaysby hat focus

The making urgy, urgy, g

of investigation is still missing. still investigationis of inhowneed are whatthishappens coreissues theological and thepeopleof church. conceive of Butdetailed a discussion t decisioncultivates distinctivegroups religious makingby essays in this essays motivatedtheby COVID technologically fromchurches emerging concretely Thepurpose of Thesis Book church.digital investigationof group religious the potential raising ethical create these challenges for focused ondocumenting core pra digital ethnographieson church mediadigital primarily of use have issue this editorexplored inrelationfor the to guest this. As special denominational andthe identif andabout UK churches theways the of use theologiansby and media Germany, scholars fromthe USA, showcased specialethnographic issue six conductedstudies Practices Ecclesial special issue theological less attention.even Theonlya thisexceptionis to structureand practices theof online received has church, Digital heological models,orchange thewaywhichcan inform ,

I raised thepoint I raised that again most theological ied e cclesiology,the studyoftheol

somebroaderquestions about church address these deeper ecclesiological deeper these address issues

onthe theme ecclesiologydigital of

collection s mediated worship,mediatedespecially Digital Ecclesiology Digital , rather than rather , offeringtrue a ecclesiological

that appeared inprint inA represe ological identities that need tobe identitiesthat ological need - ’ 19global pandemic. Together

currentexperimentationdigital with

nt thethinkingdiversea of set

isto and identify ctices of churches and cticeschurches of ogy related ogy to the i nternetand pril 2020. This experimentation of theof journal ,

th e

4

A Global Conversation oneormore the of Eachcontributor to waswriteasked an for ormore. enterprises five years theologicalshaped becoming implicationschurches of digitally totechnologydigital It willand theculture. highlight ecclesiologicalsurrounding church issues use importantonand research the insights theological and mediatedspace and This totechnologies. book highlight seeks movinginto onpromises todependent beincreasingly mediadigital Theuse. “new norm churches prepare onto thereflect theological of implications churchdigital helpconcrete thatand resources canoffer examples of theological range fromdifferent traditionson the Theaim is on investigations matters. these America,and the United States fromaround the world scholars.of DigitalEcclesiology • How might currentwith might How • church experiments doing time? church mediatedhouse this model technologically at churche theological issues What are• raised institutional for reality)? churches closed, distancing, non respond current to people struggles church (i.e. theological resources arethereWhat that • can help

to Here, 22 Here, theologians andmedia religious scholars

present present s as theys tomove an onlineand/or

followingquestions: churchand organization leaders — from Asia, Africa, Europe, Africa, SouthfromAsia, —

share theological share al” that we are seemingly weare al” that

- essay that addresses that addresses essay

contact community of and respons and s ,

witha social e and research insights available to available church insights and andresearch leaders The ofgoal theologiansand to media world scholars fromaround the together brings Thisgroupa collection essays of of due to theemerging COVID conversation with and ecclesialtrends developments culture,digital ethics wherescholars draw on collectionresearchtheir essays of on theologicalcontemporary discourses. oftenexcluded that are voicesfromthe West overl or contributorsthe represent and female male theauthors,of half and makingsure established theologiansand emerging theolof incorporate variety a thinkingand beenmadetraditions. have to Conscious efforts fromaround boththe world, Protestant andengaging Catholic EcclesiologyDigital Book of Overview communities. thinkthrough the long implicationsdoingof church to andchurches prepare online canimmediatelyconsidering theleaders church benefit meeting.of Thehope inthatbeing an e is by social by distancingraised and te thinking immediately through are they issues the complex as membersintimely a manner so post conditions this the pandemic, during predicted and social

thisworkto is

presents presents fromessays ,

andtheology and itinto bring - - termimpact the pandem of pandemic, shape shape ecclesiology? pandemic, future make g - 19global pandemic. lobal South minority and/or ogical voices

they these theologicalthese reflections chnologically

can churchesbenefit

The result is a diverse diverse a The is result scholars,balancea of theological voices ,

includingmixa of - b

mediated forms forms mediated ookformat, this

ic on their ic ooked in

5

A Global Conversation community Christian inthe future. and theological modes thenaturechurches thinkingof of about pointstha to have dealwith post the church faced witbeing is strategies theof new socialassessment conditions and technological Ov ahead. andyears out missionlive they their and days community focusin the currentchallenges mayraise trends church for in groups, how theby current pandemic. thewill potential alsoaddress Essays thein so of light authorsto consider what the accessibleto broada writingstyle, aresothey reflective written inmannera will combineTheseessays theological a thinkingwith will becomeinstitutions.these “new for a part of normal” the“new normal” andmin offline online where reflectionknown as fromkey insights voicesin technological emerging response worshipand mission, and th technology using duringthe pandemic to rethinkchurch consider how essays churches are andinstitutions Christian technologyby in light eccl key explore DigitalEcclesiology erall, erall, howaboutto begin think we might differently needto Digital Ecclesiology Digital t challenge traditional ecclesiological models and t challengetraditional models ecclesiological esiologicaland challenges opportunities raised cial, cultural,broughtchanges andreligious on

d

churchaudience. igital o - quarantine. It seeks to offer talking quarantine.to offer It seeks f the current globalf healthThesecrisis. the t heologyto adapt help churches to aimsto offer critical andconcrete e theologicalthese of e implications future of religion mightreligion of lookfuture like new area of theologicalof new area s . Theaimto is provide

h The overall aim is for for aim is overall The

andwill continueto istry strategies strategies istry

6

A Global Conversation inclusion,digital about thetraining elderly devices, electronic pandemic.suchupThis the needotherfor as brings issues communicationformof theof people inbetween the middle complementar theplanet. Thewascommunication digital that Manueltheoryby Castells (2008),shared but reality a across quarantine.sociologicalNetwork a Society no just is longer ultimatumTheservicesits digitizing reaches processof in this ecclesial mandatorya marked by days changepersonal, of social, and madetous methese thinkpreparing importanceof about the celebrationswithout thephysicalthe It offaithful. presence throughsocial of themeasure isolationconsequent and againstthemarked fight history, by thecoronavirus 2020,of Inthisyear anunprecedentedEaster we live in Introduction DigitalEcclesiology The The of the pandemic digital. W to traditional from ranges which internet, the ecclesial especially on society, main plural the the in find highlight currently we to models is purpose essay’s The e also point out changes in the because because Church Catholic the in changes out point also e Diverse Ways Church Diverse Ways Being of in Digital the Societyand habits.

y, becomes y, the main the onlyand sometimes

.

in Times of Pandemic of Times in Aline AmaroAline da Silva - 2

-

[Cite here.] source your pandemic

alsobeenthis phenomenon.transformed by this, Before FromCatholicthea view,ecclesiological of point scenariohas to available families. needy an makinginternet accessfree face communicationface wecommunicationdigitalare andto contagionmovedwe have fromface theof coronavirus, oralprimarily towritten global communication. Nowthe with of days withthisin the early fromChristianity, the shift Thewaythewhat Churchchanges communicates W itis. Beingof Modes Traditional Church culturedigital by andpandemic. the Coronavirus Churchmodels bornthat fromsocial are marked experience some identifies network. Tothis,the essay demonstrate people,throughcan each become believer, Euchari a God.of Thenaturetheconnectiveof worldwide network onthe networkand communionwitnessinghis living with God present inhabits person who cyberspacethrough each is culturedigital inthe fait Theof thoughts me,theologians of studythe like effects who, theChurch2020). (Campbell, opportunitythecommunication, changesidentity of for but thatmediadigital an theecclesialofnot use is just environmentdigital encouraged. are Bu theChurch. Tothe communityinkeep meetings the alive, mediatizedEucharistic celebration the standardbecomes of unable are to to go the temple, theparticipation in the onlyimpof in cases participationthrough inthe stimulated,masses media wasnot

ossibility.Godof Today that the allPeople hbecome evidentintimes. COVID19

dmakingdevicesdigital

t we need to beaware t weneedto

stic - to e saw e - 7

A Global Conversation (Dulles,1978,response p. 98). reciprocaland communicative human divinegrace of channel mediatora Church as a between humanGod and beings, who transmittingthe good newsthe of to beings all human God.thethe InChurchof role herald mode, assumes invited tois participate toit access in the sacramentsthat give of theothersign to hand, visible thea humanity grace is that The thebeing Mystical Bodysacramental Christ. of Ch modelcommuniontheof aspectthehighlights Church of managingthe PeopleGodof Christ.withof Thethe authority with functionmagisterial its teachingof theand faith Theinstitutionalmodel repr objectaction. of passive its an active as world,itself whilesubject, presenting the world is models,inpositionsuperiorthe a Church places itself to the communal, four sacramental,In andthe herald first servant. institutThey are derived. which othersare the many Avery Dulles basic ecclesial(1978)out modelssets five from cancoexist. historical modelsnow, moments theas of Church several such that analogies certain highlight theaspectsof Church. In encompasstheof Church, th reality the whole communicationnottheof society. Thesedoparadigms withandrelated prevailed, it is the characteristic Inbelike. each ecclesial of period type a history, of vision what evaluating t DigitalEcclesiology

are just recipients of the message. also recipientstheshows of message. just Dulles are the

hepost

- pandemicexperience willpeople's

esents the hierarchical esents Church

ese are ese ional, urch,on autonomyanddialogue andscience, culture of seeking humanity, of the servant legitimizingpositionsas itself the publicationtheof renewed sincetheSecond Council the Vatican with Ecclesial attitudesbeentowards society have modern model of the Church as a servant, but it is also a Church butalsomodela itis servant, thea of Church as on a Theleader. Churchroots inin its timesFrancis has the of accordingThe Churchitself alsotoshapes the thought whole2018, context human 68 (Silva, p. aboutin theactionenvironment, digital its but inrole the its the networkbepart of society fromnow just on. not Itis andonpresence the internet, noton communicationformof onlythereflecting Church's the Church. for Thinkingis aboutage, theChurch in the digital Thenewa of emergenceculture new symbolicbrings images metaphors ecclesial new The arise. From inthisthedialogue,age. digital new Church tohas faith contribute Christian to humanitytheof good living theof timestheology and can fromthe signs learn what the humanworld, andrealizingbeing the contemporary what 2015, (Silva, p. 46),whose objective Thismethod close tocomes method the cybertheological worldcontemporary and Christianity. dialoguedialogical, between becausetheit seeks thetheChurch world assumes and theological a as place; thisecclesiological secular as method doctrinal(1978, Dulles calls and p.101) institutional updating.

Gaudium et Spes Gaudium

but how it can contribute and butit can how contribute

(1965). Init, theChurch

is to theis dialogue with -

dialogica - 70).

l: secular, sincesecular, l: analogies analogies

of its of 8

A Global Conversation tolight the world,a as sometimeslighthouse, a sometimes as that theChurchtime. must observes bea present always He PopeFrancispoints theto for other ecclesial metaphors fold. onlythose who to go but church, those back, go to we mustreachahead, people, add go efforts not something as forgotten that weno need. longer We must not the pandemicshould living after not aside passed, has beleft Church,being but thegood an thatnottrue Itis whatis experiencing thetotality weare of situation,outwe mustso,eventually, the tunnel. of get not thestandard Church, butthe Church in itis difficult a “gnostic” familiarity. withoutbecomebecausedangerous thesacramentsit canis a without withoutpeople, without bread, theChurch, the personal, but incommunity.without familiarity A community, fami andthe community:Christian Francis(2020) that cautions the importanceEucharist theof physicalitythe ofsacraments, the butan emphasizesof imaginary, the notfaith. He real on In 17,theApril Mass 2020, Francisthewarnsof risk Pope coronavirus o steal anindividualisticnot us tolet the andheurges faith, virtual that weshouldorganizations, Francisstressed usedtonot get healthby Althoughsolicitous suggested care to the weforced towere close our churches at home. and retire to what all.Contrary thePopewants, in thistime pandemic,of and homea missionaryjourney with doorsopenits always for DigitalEcclesiology liarity with liarity thecommunal. Lord always is intimate, Itis

ur hope.ur

Thepopetoday is addsliving that weare

d creative initiatives that initiatives we are dcreative who are outside thewho outside are

accompanies women and men wherever they are. Peopleaccompanies are. womenthey men wherever and lighthousenot is torch enough,thethat Church must bea also security andtoleads gives people. Todaythethe from light Churchwith fi a the traditionaltorchn. 291).represents (AL, Thelighthouse collaborative based and decentralized Wikipedia, Church like ThetheOpen Source ideaof brings Church model obscuritytime.the of present naturallybecomeothersduringthe for luminoussigns showtheGospel, thatlive t simplybecause Christians relationshipsbetween people. wantstothis, Friesen With network butan living of enda in because itself, it is theChurch can not beunderstood as citythata light emitsas (20 people. Friesen Dwight Theologian the that light emanates fromevery place sees where are there can thinkWe at night,city,especially thea of Church as that 2015, (SILVA, butsharing by p. 104). be becomethetestimony, formof mix,liquid, sothat in itcan liquida society, the proclamation theof Gospel should positiveecclesial model ForSpadaro, thenatives. digital for in Antonio However, Spadaro p.(2012, 67 fragmentary,of volatile, thesense fleet Modernity” Bauman.Zigmunt couldby TheChurch have Liquid Churc Liquid The disciples. andlistening testimonytheir didJesus like with the Emmaus todayChurchexpect ato walk with causewecommunicate not transmission, by themessage

xed structure and visible light that structureandlight guides,xed visible h is based on his “Liquid the characterization of

them offering active offering them

09,p. 47)thatexplains - ing, ephemeral. ing, 72) sees it as sees a 72) a hey hey 9

A Global Conversation and in thetheage timedigital COVID of goi weare Therefore, Churchmust meet,without walktogether, merging. identity andsingle mission theof Church.and Thethe network physicalin tune parish witha thecommunity digital forming the as harmonyactions, offline between suchseeks Church models, Then,online wethinkChurch a andof 4.0integrates that God”. weprosper, weembody help life others. As the “openof We” society.our Rather, networked to to identity blessing is bea closedelect groupof holymen andfr women separated thatanexplains “open thePeopleGodof He not We”. are a 55 home.everyone's is FriesenIn perspective, similar a (2009,p. metaphorbecomes Publica great for a thatthe doughthe makes leaven itself grow. Thenetwork models,logica developsthat values testimonyeachof member theof community. these Behind Church,all the theof essence notAlthough images are they perfect the of 1 somany bureaucraciesrealization.their for (Whitsitt, 2011,p. open theministryare of to those who so,free called to feel do Churchbea in improvetheinitial creation.Church would So,an OpenSource codetheof devicesothat can others modify, andcustomize giving developers accesstoconsists software of the source theinspired open by It is creative. sourceconcept,which human ontheto callbeing every beco of DigitalEcclesiology - 3). - 56)developsthe conceptGod’s of as Networked Kingdom

joined beacontothethat traditional the is, cityscenery,

se paradigms are based on theare paradigms personal se whichand the the basicof mission functions

ng to ng elucidate theChurch situation in lay activity inactivitysociety lay as Church,Churcha that - 19. - creatorand

om against thepandemic. against world becauseneeded measures of tothemselves reinvent Fromone today thechurches next, andaround religions the in Church pandemicof times The metin homes. thehome Christiansmystiquewho the experienced first by bishopsa domesticinthe whichof family Church and the revaluation theOn one movementhand,a is thethethere renewal of for living paradoxesmarked are by or is lived in the ecclesial field. Thistime closingof the temples thathave manycountries referentiality” than it is, closed a churchwherever and self “sickof leaves itself Churchrisks, andthat withwalks takes peopleits withthis wrong that initiatives turninto weprefer memes, but cre in Intheannouncing hearts. the Gospel with innovationand 2014), roads” (Francis, toGod's burningtheof love flamekeep currentsituation to “newa on missionaryexit” the “digital Intheway, samethe Catholic the Church by wasdriven are these beginningto emerge, that arepraxis religious characteristic theof network are toinitiatives Inthesecond currenta relevant reality. stage, of social networks,onEucharistic topics and training celebrations anexample thecountless andexperience human religious coexistence. can citeWe as for tothe limitationsoffers that thenetworkand possibilities traditionalpractices faith toadapting theenvironment, digital ativity, theChurch“accidents” oftenativity, have alongthe way

ll over the world ll over encourage laypeople to rediscover .

Thus, at first, there is there the migrationat first, Thus, of “Lives” that are proliferating that are “Lives” on

still few. still

- 10

A Global Conversation Euchar bodiestheir and cannotsouls,they the physicallyreceive in stand,werethe Church,listen,watch, sit, kneel, with pray physicallyaccompanythey homes,their if as place themselves wineconsecrated with faithful physical all its materiality.The brokentransmission the and breadis orin the liturgy, the individuallyorwith whofaithful inthe few a assist corporeality,since thesacrament celebrated theis by priests transmittedThe the networksMass by Holy retains still a of spiritualitymystagogy Christian celebrations family for to help the to faithful maintain the 2020) Bishops (CNBB, Brazil developedof liturgical guidelines of .example, theNational Conference For to prepare, schedule the must beintunewith we celebrate. Thus,necessary what it is watchingwere moviea while ourbeing entirecoffee, drinking media,we notmustwecare celebrations take if to trivialize as celebratio Regarding publicand with everyone Church, for everyone. communionGod,a of ornot,the face with Catholic show open toall people andto makespiritualtheir participate theother hand,and online of other masses types broadcasts to returning moreof a hierarchical risk andclerica orthe restriction the intheof faithful celebrations, we runthe theother hand, without with faithful Mass of the situation the ourinof roomthein Father privacy 6, (Mt On 6). and hiddenprivate of thatfaith, of experienceis, revaluingalsoof an It experience is DigitalEcclesiology ist, but their mouth salivates when they see the priest thewhen priest see but they ist, mouthsalivates their

ns broadcastns the internet over orother

timeand to live meet tocelebrate

inthissituation.

abscondita ecclesiaabscondita

prayingto l church. On On l church.

, of theof , Teilhard de Chardin's famousTeilhard poem on deChardin's the“Mass World”, Thisamidfaith of experience pandemic of reminds me intruth. sharethey communing, desire in and spirit and in yourheart's connectone forming bodyspirit. to Christ, and everyone one the Francisandof objectivesame Teilhaexpresses ecclesiology. Thenetworkeda of alsoexperience church Catholicitytheof Church, but cosmica theneedfor planet"ourthe home", common only demonstrates henot theof global home onseveral occasionsanexpressed ecclesiology for the desire Inline with Popeexperience,FrancisTeilhard's (2014) ecclesiology: circumstancesliv hefound himself, thanksto Godto hewasand give in wherever whatever failed had neitherbread nor wine to celebrate,but henever times expeditionspaleontologista as different At inAsia. he real a inspired by

1961). of the worldand sufferings (Teilhard deChardin, andmyaltar earth onyou all thelabours it will offer itself; will thepriest, maketheof real I,your whol beyond symbols,these upmyself to the puremajesty neitherbread, nor wine,have norI will , raise Sinceonce Lord again,

difficulty thatdifficulty Teilhardhisfaced during and “home of all”.andof FranciscallsWhen the “home —

[…] in the steppes of Asia Asia inof the steppes […] ing in practiceing cosmica rd,tothat is e —

I 11

A Global Conversation butFather, inSpirit andin Truth (Jn4: 21b onthismountain nor in Jerusalem thatthe will they worship words toJesus' of the Samaritan woman beneither that itwill communionthinkus it makes in the sense in person. However, spiritual communionphysicalmeansdigital replaces through liturgical andsacramental thatdoes actions. not mean This celebrations,compelled we are of torethinkthe physicality participationtimesdigital of Inemergency these i maturation. opportunities as difficulties andgrowth, for strengthening us. From presents reality thisnew wesee perspective, that butstagnant expandingthe horizon challenges with the thenot current circumstances seeing barrie as mentality. Itmeansbuilding revival mentalitya innovation,of pastoral conversion,we should frommaintenance topass thewaywe think about Indigitalwayof a ecclesiology. metanoiadigital A inthepo consequentout.that wecarry works theourof of especially experience social life, andfaith the reviewa conversion us. Pastoral requires personal of and andidentity, focuson tomatters and our goals on really who timea to Itis reconnect moviesand series. withour procrastination. watching isolationjust not Social is vacation, a But itcandispersion badlysharing. us lived, and bring and family throughwith silence, introspectionourselves and homeopportunities cangreat us bring to re fromthisnew Churchof andexperience at society. Staying to andthe of present future issues Relevant Christianity arise Conclusion DigitalEcclesiology

st pandemic church should change pandemicchurch st should

- 23). What this 23). What connect withthe connect rs that rs us leave nEucharistic essence essence internet,connected with God's the PeopleGod,that of and waysto several pray thein Father our home, the over that theretherealize of Connected We Bodyare Christ. of weare to isus biblicalreveals that themain passage temple in which articles on Cybertheology, Communicativeon articles Cybertheology, Theology, Pastoral, RioGrande do Sul, Brazil. StudentfromCatólicaPontifícia in Theology Universidade do da Amaro Aline Church. community onshared the networks, to accessmyDigital through thecontent digitalpersonal prayer that my to beableto meditate myonberefreshing theorsay Word churchit willwork,normalcare, like study,family for reasons unable spirituality. we When are family to physically to go cultivatingpersonalandfaith daily people's strengthening and Thepost communicationof relationship. human and timeswhen networkcommunic thinkingthat about is, Cybertheology, faith theChristian in laboratory andcalled research of we are the task all inthisgreat reflectiononare new We technologies. global to to learnmission tothat literacy, digital strive of is, the digital in the midstpriests, the pandemic of theurgent received Church. Thethe membersthe ofPeopleGod, of especially alsolearning are We what itmeansand digitalhow to bea the spaceexceeds grace ols for pastoral service and to pastoral develop service consistentolsfor a toworship God body.butpart our ownis as Not alone,

- pandemic Church may see digital cultureindigital pandemic anChurch ally mayas see Silva

isJournalist, and Doctoral Master - ti Researches and has published and published has Researches melimit. ation becomes the mainform ationthe becomes

12

A Global Conversation (2020). CNBB CatholicChurch (1965, Constitution Pastoral 7). December on S.(2020). andCampbell,A. SummariesH. Osteen, Research M. (2008). sociedade A em Castells, Bíblia.(2002).Bíblia A deJerusalém.edição Nova Português. alineamarodasilva.com. [email protected]: and Evangelization Catechesis in the DigitalEcclesiology Senhor content/uploads/sites/32/2020/03/Celebrar fro ii_const_19651207_gaudium n_council/documents/vat http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatica from Retrieved theChurch in the Modern WorldGaudium Spes. et March%202020.pdf?=1&isAllowed=y Religion% 69.1/187806/White%20Paper https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/19 from Retrieved andonReligion Lessons and Doing Church Online. v.1. Terra, ampl. e Sãorev. Paulo: Paulus. m https://www.cnbb.org.br/wp Celebrar em família o Dia Celebrar do Senhor. - em 20Online%20Research

-

Fam%C3%ADlia

Sources - -

5DQ.pdf rede. Sãoe rede. Paulo: Paz - digital age. age. digital et -

- - spes_en.html FINAL -

- Email: Retrieved - o . - .

Dia -

do

-

Francis(2014, June 1). (1978).e A. Igreja modelos. A Dulles, seus SãoPaulo: Paulinas. Silva, A. A. (2015). A. A. Cibergraça:fé, Silva, comunhãoe evangelização D. Friesen, (2009). Thychurchkingdom connected. the What Francis(2020, April 17).April Mass Santa Marta Francis.Laetitia. Amoris Roma, from 2016. Retrieved Retrieved from Retrieved anof Authentic Service Encounter.of Culture Rome. WorldCommunications Communication Day. at the 68444%20 http://tede2.pucrs.br/tede2/bitstream/tede/5993/2/4 from Retrieved – nostempos da rede. networks. canfromFacebook, learn the Internet and the other pregnant 04/pope https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020 from ap_20160319_amoris hortations/documents/papa

Faculty Porto Theology,Alegre,Brazil. of PUCRS, - - franci wom - Grand Rapids (MI): Baker Books. Baker GrandRapids (MI): %20Tex .

en.html - Message of Pope Francis for thePope of Francisfor 48Message daily to%20Completo.pdf - Dissertatio mass - laetitia.html>.

- casa - francesco_esortazione - n (Master in Theology) n(Master santa - comunicaz -

- marta .

17. Retrieved

ioni - prays

- th - - -

13

A Global Conversation L.Whitsitt, (2011). the Source Open for Room Church:Making Teilhardde Spadaro, (2012).A. Ciberteologia: al.] [et A. A. (2018). Silva, EscolhendoJesus DigitalEcclesiology WisdomAll. of Row: & NewYork. tempos da rede. umapara nova sociedade. Petrópolis, RJ: Vozes. Chardin, P. (1961).P. Chardin, Hymntheof Universe. Harper

Herndon,Alban. Virginia: SãoPaulo: Paulinas.

Pensar a féa cristã Pensar nos :

Jovenscristãos

thinking here of differentof thinking here ecclesial traditionsand distincttheir onlinemigrated worshipof theandtraditionsspecifics varieties that have inter COVID heightened attentionreceived since thebeginningof addition,about have online or questions virtual communion namelythe 2020 Inand celebrations. Easter Week Holy thesoduringthe Christia heightof liturgical practicesbeenhas widely noted, most prominently indigitally Theworshiprise sharp viral. mediatedgoing thinkthiscoronavirusof 2018titled was that practices worship.Christian of published book Having a in produced phenomenon,world parallel viral thisone a of inthe commonplace Itis now theCOVID by that @ Worship Viral:Catholic LiturgyGoes @ Worship in Online a roots ofroots and ittheological the traces specific the at commitments space under thethe conditions of COVID practices uneven migrations into andtheir social digital My essay focuses on est in digitally mediated indigitally est practices Christian of worship are - 19lockdown. often missedin thisincreased is What this unevenness. — orremainedin some Iam offline, notcases. @ Worship @

the Catholic diversity of - Teresa Berger Teresa induced2020@ of as phenomenon

World - 3

, I hope, I might beforgiven ifI -

nliturgical calendar,

- 19pandemic has - [Cite here.] source your 19 pandemic,

liturgical liturgical COVID - 19

14

A Global Conversation whetheroronline, offline do to notbepresent priest a require the Most devotional of sites. practices mentioned here, Adorationand online,memorialdigital pilgrimages, virtual toSt. Joseph,chapel prayer digital specific popular the rosary, devotionsas such online as shrines meditation.devotionsMarian include examples Further such spiritual personal reflection,reading, scripture and prayer, daily of and forms practices.offline are examples Prime various forms developingonlinein parallel with expressions traditional devotionhad oftenbeguntointo migrate socialdigital space, goo a the in before place. wasalready Over theyears virus emerged, theCOVID closingCatholicof brick of turningto Before the surge online practices following the European contexts. liturgical practices,particularly in Norththeir American and within thisdiversity the Roman amongCatholic its Church and migrationsinto socialdigital space.In Ifocuswhat on follows, withinone an practicesbetween rites denominations thedifferent are mediatedinnoteworthy digitally worshipdifferences as interesting Eastern as Orthodox and churches.just is But what mediated digitally eucharistic in Roman sharing and Catholic nondenominational communities“ and the stark communionin some and evangelical practices betweenof example,markedthe divergence a ease online with mediatedengagements digitally practices. for Thereis, worship DigitalEcclesiology dnumber Catholicof worship, practices prayer, andof

styles, although different dothese styles, lead to very - 19pandemic, whatimportant it is toacknowledge d the same communitysame andfaith of dthe from the official Liturgy of theof Hours fromthe official Liturgy to

- and - mortarsanctuariestoin response s, sites for Eucharistic for sites s, no” to no” their their uneven Boundariesbetween o liturgical practicesin the hands beenthewith case popularof wouldmistaken.much piety) be mediationdigital mostly intheare hands (as laity longof has concludingpiety. Yet swiftly liturgical practicesthat in Catholic aare of they inand/or charge; expressions broad, were deeplymoved were thissomber, med by digitally watchedthe worldwho around thatmany by Catholics day eucharistichigha monstrance and was joined in prayer 2020.Squareholding pontiff in solitary an empty St. A Peter’s toin response t blessing initiative.So was Pope Francis’extraordinary worldwide 2013of wasEucharisticsuch Adoration an uniquedigital digital madevideos. Popehas Francisespecially extensive of use onTV globe,first and andthen online through livestreams tobeen available Catholics non(and canonization.of years for masses have liturgies now Such duringfromthe large masses liturgies, apostol theCOVID before Catholicsworldwide moved intohadmediationdigitallong of official rites major the 1.33significancefor Roman billion whichmeanssanctuaryusually aand butdoconsecratedpriest, a they require eucharistic host, eucharistica venerating host monstrance ina example,practices Eucharisticof Adoration porousness,too, otherhand longbeen poroushave in Catholic This life. practiceson considered the andin “popular” the hands laity of sanctionedon andthe texts onethose hand devotional ecclesiallyauthorized wedded ministersofficially toscripted,

mediain ministry,hisand includedthishas some - liturgical initiatives. Theliturgical initiatives. first

has migrated intoFormigrated has socialdigital space. - 19papalpandemic.of Thisespecially true is heCOVID - 19pandemic March27, on - Catholics) aroundCatholics) the a priest. In priest. addition,a - — eversynchronized, Urbi etOrbi — of that is, ic journeys to ic journeys do not needa donot iated rite. iatedrite.

popular f

15

A Global Conversation broad as and ritualvaried repertoire, thisrepertoire is. nonden internetbaptisms such not is as rite practiced inmediation.digital So beyondaccompanimentsdigital these interferences?), the(or for madethemembersof service family unable to attend. But to picturespostduringthe liturgy on Facebook orrecor included have media, digital beit smartphones tosnapraised course,thatbeen many in Catholic communities namelythe momentrite, of have, waterbaptism.of There to claiming this,I am only referring I know. mediationas far Catholicin Roman as a context, In The digital sacramentvia been practicedof never has Baptism thelatter. migrationinto worlds.of digital Baptismanprovides example Included right. tha rites in thisconsideration are oneback steps to Catholic in consider owntheir rites different Surprisesparticularly surprising. await,seems however,when migrationCatholicof liturgical practices into territory online then, about nothing Insense, a sofar thepan (Tan,2020, gazes” p. 82). Eucharistic becomesmilliona unity of for focalChrist a point Johntheof digitized presence Paul Tan putrecently it,“the sens more ecclesiologylonghas foregrounded, namely the trans mediationdigital what Catholic visible rendered Roman here Thewasnoexperience doubt theby factthat strengthened DigitalEcclesiology e of “universal”)of e character thischurch.of Matthew As - than ominational communityominational

- congregational,the (in global, andindeed catholic —

as they mightthey inmultisite beperformed a as

— do not exist in the Catholic do not in the exist thekey elementsthis of demic t arenot in - - called driven driven - local, dings dings baptism Romanemergency. of in cases Catholic in place,provisions already particularly those concerning likelihood,in lies mediationsacrament. all this Thekey of main in reason, Importantly,alsono is there discussion possible adigital about requirements affected all faith communities’ all faith requirementsaffected prac physical isolation duringthe pandemic. Granted,these performed duetosocial requirements for distancingand thesacramentsaround be and dying death, nocould longer Towith,begin thisstruggle. understandingsand liturgical traditions of at theheart were mediated digitally specific Oncetheologicalforms. again, with adequate lockdown,identifying struggled ministers as burial, andre The endlife. Catholicof ritualaround process death, dying, mediation,at theotherrituals for the cannot besaid same communitiesno digitallittle andmigration if seen has into inbaptisminfants Roman by If mostly received is Catholic Death, Dying, around Rites B conditionsglobala of pandemic. wide situation mediationneed;digital of simplyfor notis necessary how tosee baptism any notcould inalmost bepracticed used inbaptism. minimal Giventhese requ pronouncementthe of Trinitarian traditionally formula as Beyondthat, water,andneededthat all is the is honorto and theChurchdo intend does in what baptism. have even minimumnot elements.of Thedoes person who baptizes baptism understandingsbareemergency a of require - open to access thissacrament, under the even

to be a Christian, asto Christian, bea are they long as willing to membering was deeply affected by thememberingby wasdeeplyaffected COVID theological convictionsand pastoral traditionalincluding Catholic rites, urial, Remembering urial, and

irements, it is hard it is irements, tices of careof tices

- 19 16

A Global Conversation the dyingfor mediation,digital Skype,via prayers woulde.g., thetraditional ecclesial accompaniment.possible Andany diedwith COVID of diagnosis a personwouldwho been Catholics the exception.have Most COVID withoil, and bring well asas gloves an applicator the anointingfor theof sick equipment,use time spentwithlimit person, dying the a isolation,had to priests wethese allowedfor “compassionate exceptions” for tothe rules peoplefromCOVID dying Munich,to ministertrained to priests Germany, quickly dioces to harder meet.were Someend life of Roman Catholic theparticular orSkype, sacramental Catholicsof at the needs avia accompany parishionerswith dying smartphone prayers in other ecclesialpriests to traditions responded seeking by homesmade thisage distancing and physicalhospitals isolationand nursing in Eucharist tothethe Rather,requirementssocial dying. of this,although tothe it doesnotbring priest a require theformof sacramentthe endone’sfor of Catholicat death’sdoor. thecould most Neither ancient unction,” (“extreme not inolderwere parlance) to available a reconciliationand anointingof theof sick (“confession”) impos ecclesial ministerlay with person basicallydying becamea liturgical tradition.a or priest Forexample,a theof presence constraintsinparticular ways to owntheir theological Catholics at theendsimplylife. ofexperienced ritual DigitalEcclesiology sible. Thissacramentsof also meant that the es, among Chicago,of es, them the Archdioceses IL,and - 19 - specificaccompanyiritualof process viaticum

, food, the journey for - oldpractice impossible - 19.hospitala If ornursing home

inone - earthly life earthly 19diedwill have sadly without ar full personalfull protective ar - way containers. But suchwaycontainers. a But — — beshared. And theEucharist in . While some . While ng a dying dying a ng - rememberingthe d mortemCatholicandincluding of ways rites liturgies funeral super andcomplexly embodied,symbolically multi rich and not available in forms of digital mediationdigital inof forms available (livest issuescame Several suddenlyto Withmass the fore. widely theological andliturgical logic Thesediscussions simply followed specific aCatholic m however,did not discussions precludeabout lively digitally comesto the Eucharist.”( supportsacramental of cannot life thefullness when (yet) it theat thebeginningofCOVID remainswhat Schmidt Katherine the “ described as eucharistic Thesharing. consensus on that principally point discussionwasnot mediated thepossibility digitally of about communities,too, but discussed this communionpractices, andpracticed of innumber a spectrum,online communion wasmostthe topic discussed church/evangelical/nondenominational/Pentecostal Protestant/free end.its Especiallycommunities in Christian along the coursewas,of Themostthe COVID debatedsacrament during Communion/s memorialspiked. sites livestreamedburial were Christian andonlineof the use duringthe COVID easily ediatedeucharistic in Roman celebrations circles. Catholic

have come close to what is traditionally a deeply physicalcome have traditionally close is deeply toa what - sign, semiotically the other On sign, hand, speaking. post , one related neither to the beginning of life norone, neitherto related thelife beginningof

ead migrated intoead migrated mediationdigital more

- 19lockdown. of masses Some Schmidt, 2020 different ways. Catholicways. different . - 19lockdown: “

). This consensus, consensus, This ). ream, videos, ourtechnology - 19lockdown hard truth” hard - coded - 17

A Global Conversation onlineof and concernssome worshipraised revived; were thedisembodied, against arguments non aroundthe eucharistic other quarters, table. Insome theconciliarof whole gathering community emphasis on the Thisas waspresider. seen lone weakeningpriestly the post focuson visual the alta seemed to accord masses renewed the importance (through mediation.that arose livestreamed concerns Invein, similar a ocularwith engagement throughthe Eucharist digital fe andwine at each Thismass. post encouragedbread themof the eucharistic to receive elements Catholicsawayfrom spiritual communion and instead postof scholasticinterpretations and practice liturgicalquick theologywere to thatmedievalworry these communion.Catholics II schooled However, in Vatican theological supportthe practice for spiritualof “ocular” or thisschol Clearly, immediateChrist. whichof effect, the sacramentalis presence thei.e., thesacramentaleucharistic sign, elements, and its Eucharist,unable if to withreceive namelyeven union Christ, beunderstood ( immediate ( effect betweenthe( sacramental sign p “spiritualof communion”flourished. Behind this suddenly distancescurrentby Catholic convictions, the age withacross eucharistic deemedconsecration possible not dueZoom) to the closurebrick of DigitalEcclesiology restantum articularpractice medievalstandsa scholastic distinction ared undoneared visual, through the sudden toprimarily a shift - conciliarhad Thesereforms liturgical reforms. moved ). Under thisscholastic Under ). distinction, can believer a tothethe ultimate of beable to receive effect asticinterpretation substantialprovides reset sacramentum

r area rather than rather the emptyarea r to pews) a sacramentum tantumsacramentum - - conciliar gain wasnow gain conciliar and - s would undo the gains thegains would s undo ),andultimate its effect mortar sanctuaries, and mortarsanctuaries, - part icipatory nature icipatory - oldpractice ), its ), - Lay muc delighted insome thatfinding suddenly priests they hada (Zsupanefficiency” aboutconvenience reducingof anworship experience “to and Diminishment Liturgy Catholic in Online COVID a ease. relative liturgical celebrationsin otherwith places and languages the church),part of helped theCat the least of Roman thetexts Western, (at for Missal “” continues liturgicalto tradition an authorized maintain in the aroundthefact that theCatholicthe globe. Here, Church delighted few in participa inlivestreamed of the availability liturgy masses,and not a localtheir of whole a churchCatholicof new discovered world consecrated.the pews Meanwhile,normally in some Catholics highl thatpresence remains Christof presence real inthe eucharistic elements inthe themoment the Catholic mass. Communionof belief in thegaveparents childrenthe their families; theEucharist at advanceto thethen parents, celebrating childrendistributingby inparishhis consecrated of hosts enabledpriest theIrish celebration CommunionFirst of for monstrancewhereparishionerslived.their to the streets One “Eucharist to withexample distributing newfor offline, liturgical forms a lockdown.communities SomealsoCatholicexperimented - led liturgies too ledliturgies blossomed onlineduringthe COVID h larger online sawoffline. congregation hlarger than ever they y “mobile” inthe y mass which after were they - go,” or br or go,”

- Jerome,2020, 92).time, thesame At p. — inging the consecrateda inging host in enabled these elements to becomeenabledelementstothese ting inting eucharistic from celebrations - holic navigate faithful 19World mass via Zoomvia mass with — Beyond — a - 19 18

A Global Conversation liturgicaland changes accommodationsenacted being are worshipday. Aof the of light practiceshost seeing is of and Fromback toextraordinary not?): asthe (or brick beenabsentproxy. ina have person by and represented to theof partners bejoined in marriageOne would simply centu marriages by thisrite; was not for have essential proxy for Truth ZOOM. joined via digitally betold, themediation digital bridegroom, proxy and the bridegroom all in another place, with say, the bridein one place with together and priest a a weddingI amthatwas performedproxy,” of “byaware i foundwayinto one its Catholic least mediation. digital At Church’scollection and alsobeenhas revived ritualof oddities albeit longextraordinary weddingscanceled.being Butc ina beenhas much theby COVID affected sacraments,the sacrament marriage.seven of This ritual too mentionCatholic the rite a amongItChurch is here. counts its conditionsCOVID of aspergillum holydispensing distances wateracross for (calledan that theCatholic traditionliturgical a instrumenthas already gimmickwent too, sadly viral with unaware people generally confessionswithto anblessing EastersquirtThe gun. a latter adaptations communitiesalsowitnessedplethora a have liturgicalof onesdiminishmentof the way, Along Catholic only. underthe conditions C of that to theliturgical experiencessay goes this All of Catholics DigitalEcclesiology - mortarsanctuariesgr ries been performed without ries media. thehelpdigital of ). Liturgicalup oddities). under springing the

and ritual inventions, fromdrive andritual inventions,

- 1 9up bring one Catholiclast to rite - OVID standingpractice inthe Catholic aduallyreopen,whole a new world - 19noby have means been urious twist, an urious - 19 - pandemic,mostly by - through s to s

- diocese,andrace ethnicity, of and class, other markers notto onlybutand according rite according also to region worldwidethe changes communionchurches, of tradition. FortheCatholi global Roman ritual repertoiretheacross varied thethat Catholic is liturgical worlds. worlds. T. (2018). Berger, 2018). Liturgical in Practices Worship: Digital Worlds of Professor CatholicTheology. the author Sheis of alsoholdsJr. an appointment theE. Thomas as Golden InstituteSacredof Music School,and Yale Divinity whe Berger Teresa and continueeven ways worshipinbricktomanifold as affect life physical isolationin respon in distinct affected theby norms ways socialof distancingand andit became liturgical understandingseachof as rite largelyto befoundare unevenness in the specifictheological COVID migration,underespecially theto accelerated the pace due migration“Catholicof worship” socialdigital space.This into theRoman Catholic the about Church generalizations forbids I As Conclusion difference - hopeliturgicaltoshown,of practices have the diversity of mortarchurches again. open doors their - 19

NewYork: Routledge. - — pa

will be interesting towill watchinteresting be indeed. ndemic,beenhas theuneven. The for reasons

is ProfessorLiturgical of is Studiesat the Yale @ Worship: LiturgicalWorship: @ in practices digital se to a virus. This virus will This tovirus virus. a se Sources

c Church, as a cChurch, as

(Routledge,

— different different @ re she re - 19

A Global Conversation Zsupan Tan,Christ. of M. J. (2020).thebody P. digital Communion in Schmidt, ThepainG. K.March the (2020, 29). of uncommuned DigitalEcclesiology - FINAL%20version.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 69.1/187891/Distanced%20Church https://oaktrust.lib Publications. from Retrieved Distan service.livestreamed CampbellIn A. (Ed.), H. FINAL%20version.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 69.1/187891/Distanced%20Church https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/19 from Station,Religion Publications. TX: Digital Retrieved CampbellInA. (Ed.), H. uncommuned/ https://dailytheology.org/2020/0 post]. log (DT) [Web Jerome, (2020).Mystagogizing theit real? D. Is cedChurch

.

. Station, College TX: Digital Religion rary.tamu.edu/bitstream/handle/19 DailyTheology. Retrieved from The Distanced Church Distanced The 3/29/the - - PDF PDF - - landscape landscape - pain . College The - of . .

- - - the - disruptionandto theministrytheof church. life With Thecoronavirus pandemicbrought has about unprecedented ecclesiology. In inthe namegathered Jesusof community believers of Christ. need on tourgent whatreflect itmeansto bethe ch suppressiontheof Confessing Church, Bonhoefferfelt the continue insights theof Nazi today.to Inberelevant the wake onemost Bonhoeffer’s of arguably influential works,whose underground seminary. centurywhile ago hewasteaching at Finkenwalde, an writtenLutheran almosttheologian, Bonhoeffer, Dietrich a penetratingbook German on community the Christian the by anessay adaptationThe is thistitlebrief of thatof a of Life Together, Apart: An EcclesiologyAn for LifeApart: of Together, Time a Pandemic Christ and one another communion the Body Christ, its of worship God of Christian community its will not identity as diminish brought about inlifethe the andministry of The disruptions thatcoronavirus pandemic the have Life Together, Life

constituted by Holy the Spirit. , (koinonia)

because theinstitutedbecause church by is

heurgesto us toreturn the essence of Life

of its members withits and members God of RolandChia

Together - 4

-

(Bonhoeffer, 1954) (Bonhoeffer, is ,

and the [Cite here.] source your

urch,the

20

A Global Conversation notBody diminishof andbeing thetheidentity church’s as dueto the communityalthough theof Christian the disruptionslife to the worship Christian and fellowship ( andtheconstitutedby Spirit. I then turnto myattention onwhatreflect institutedthat itmeansto itis Christ say by with I begin discussiona theandof naturethe ofchurch makedue to the pandemic. that radical manychurches arrangements beenforced tohave ontology,canbeing, theits weprovisional evaluate andoften when weh aboutnaturethe thetrueandof church.only essence For ecclesial traditions moredifferent and penetratinglyreflect shouldtied to and forms lookpractices the concrete behind extenuatingcircumstances, thethese wakeof Christians community inInthe nameother gathered Christ. of fundamentalto bea questions whatabout itmeans Suchtimes should to extraordinary ask compelChristians beexpanded. can easily communion( thedigitalisation theof church inth mayresult authentic concernedas are worship 2020).Others that (Banks, be can participating really in services onlineregarded Sunday practicingholy communion. doubt Some Christians if beensuspended, andma including physicalsmall gatherings, meetings, group have radicallytruncated) to all online platforms. Inaddition, no have choice (often move Sundaytheir but services to lockdown stringent and social DigitalEcclesiology

coronavirus pandemic are indeed great, they dothey coronavirusindeed pandemic are great, onachieved clarity sufficient the church’s ave koinonia

) among members.) Theconcerns of list

ny churches have even stoppedeven have churches ny

- distancing measures, churches measures, distancing koinonia ). Iargue). that e erosionthee of

words,in As we reflect onwe thereflect question As the chur “What is Spirit and Christ the communionmembers. her of theintegrity worship her of Christ, God,of and the Christ, Torranceto thatis recognise explains, Christ, theincarnate (Torrance,1958, To8). thatBody thechurchof say p. the is theand Head the Saviourof Himself, directlyto Christ Body” ThisT.analogy, F.Torrance rightly (Ephesians5,1:18, Colossians 12). Romans 1 12:5, Corinthians that the Body of Christologicalthemof surely of all is Christ to the church, to analogies refer the most deeply 1954,23). Al p. community Christian than more this” is orless (Bonhoeffer, “meanshewrites, community No through Christ. Jesus aboutcommunity theChristian “Christianity,” inChristology. In understoodin ecclesiology.ontological categories as understandingtheof church, mustthey beproperly important might becausethe they on shed of light our Thisandmeans thatpneumatologyare Christology not only andconstituted Christ b couldpatristic writers, theof church by speak instituted as theologianechoing Zizioulas, John the teachingstheof and pneumatology. Christology Thus,Orthodox the Greek th God the church Put differently, the workis the oftwo hands of beunderstood relationshipits apart from God. with the triune toat theoutset like state that thenatureof church cannot ere can benowithoutere understanding ecclesiology of Life Together Life — to borrow fromIrenaeus theto expression though the New Testament uses a numberthougha uses of the NewTestament , Bonhoeffergroundseverything, he tohas say

y the Spirit (Zizioulas, 1997, p.the 132). Spirit (Zizioulas, y

points out, “refers us pointsout, “refers — ch?” I would ch?” such that such

21

A Global Conversation the cornerstoneas theare of temple and wherebelievers brought out2:5, in1 wherewe Christ Peter findof the image betweenpneumatology, Christology, and ecclesiology might1:8). The become(Acts relationship witnesses bold his 2), Pentecost at (Acts Christ empoweringof them sothat they intodiscipleswhen being theSpiritHoly descended the upon CorinthianstheSpirit of Holy (1 3:16 theJust churchalsothe as it is so the Bodyis Christ, of Temple humansocietylike institutionora of fundamentallysociological a anthropological as terms and thechurch, disab therefore, 1954, (Bonhoeffer, p. Christological 26). understanding A of profoundly whoseis “divine reality” essence a “spiritual” fellowship.” religious The church but reality” not is “psychic a humana as creat understoodregarded musttheChristologically, church not be 1954,between thingvital that us” (Bonhoeffer, is p. 26). Thus, andworkhiswill becomepurely Christ Jesus theone and only ever genuineandour deeper community morewillbecomes, the made is “Thepossible and by only guaranteed in Christ: more thispoint,Bonhoeffertirelessly stresses that insisting Lord,their who 1:18).the the Head Bodyis (Colossians relationshiptheir with always is one another membersthe ofone are Body Becauseof Christians Christ, (Torrance,1958, 9). p. butnot and in being Himlife in ourselves alone”essential andourcommunion with weHim, church find sothat as Sonwith “identified Himself andusus, assumes DigitalEcclesiology ything elseything between recede, themoreus clearly and ion ideaof orconfused“some wishful with

uses us fromthinkingus of uses it in - - 1 minded individuals. 7). The7). camechurch mediatedby

into union into koinonia is is

“soultheLeo Church” of XIII, (Pope 1897, However, 6). Article Thisledthesomehas theologiansas to describethe Spirit andin the c thechurch nowbeing it into indwells “a spiritualdescribed house.” as brought TheSpirit who has weatherthe current crisis. Body. Theholdssame a true powerthe of Spirit who membersChrist’s of made has them onthe circumstances,but and onin inthefaiththeir Christ, communiontheir God notother with are dependent and each them. Theiriden that Godbelieve amongst persecution),always Christians is conductedwhether are they orclandestinely to(due openly incathedralscamps,refugee orin sheds makeshift and are worshiptheir Whether heldservices in Europe’s gothic displacements, undefetc., andemerged always has brought aboutpersecution, plagues, by war,population encounteredlong it has history, her of turmoil andupheavals church,to disruptions. no is tostranger Inbesure, the course thechallengingcircumstances identityand the authenticity ministriesin theits wakeof of pneumatology,the church can its remain about confident Inthus grounding ecclesiologyand in Christology 1976, (Küng, p. 229). theSpiritthe ofchurch, but indeedthe churchtosaid be theof Spirit, theSpirit cannotbe imprisonchurch the Spirit in the church. Thus,the is although wecannot thewithwe churchso cannot identify Christ, tem and it its makes it mustchurch bepointed that theSpirit who out the indwells ommunity tity as God’s people and the spiritual reality of God’s theas spiritualtity people reality and ple is always sovereign always andple is free. Just as

— and acts as its principleits acts as animation. of and

the Spirit of God and of Christ Christ and theSpiritGod of of s Christians all over the all over Christians worlds due to the pandemic. The dueto the pandemic. — both in the individualboth eated. 22

A Global Conversation thebedescribed church’s as thedoxological God to response ecclesiologyworship beenthatsketching,Christian Ihave may toresponse the overtures it underscoresthe ideaworshipthat a Christian always is exceptionally about is What definitionsalutary Davies’s that is Godof (Horton, 1057,made p.in Christ” known Jesus 105). resp “the glad Hortonworship Christianity, defines Davies, quite simply as worship.theof of history The distinguished scholar Tothisconcern, what Christian address clarify is we must first way. impo and wonder the worshipservices if theof church in someis thethatpaleinview comparison onlineservices physical with orsome other arrangements.livestreaming Butof manyare madeeither available are worshipthrough services technocountriesof madeuse have creative importantin Churches many period year. in the Christian duringHoly and theEaster,to services Week resume most wasmade more acuteunable were the by factthat churches when coservices churches as forced towere Christians suspend physical Sunday 19manyof pandemicdisrupted has the worship experience humanquoted (Barth life” in Martin,1982, p. 1). mostthe most urgent, action glorious place take in that can worship that “Christian the mosttois assert momentous,the Swiss Thegreat Thecentraltheof church activity without worship. doubt, is, Worship DigitalEcclesiology

rtant ways deficient when services are conducted are deficient in rtantthis ways when services

onse of Christians to the holy,onseChristians of redemptive love - Germantheologian, surely Barth,is right Karl untries wentuntries into situationlockdown. The

of Godof In oflight in Christ. the logy to ensure thatto logy ensure

The COVID The - the grace of Godof thegrace madeGod by is possible from and himself.Apart energised a more always this.is Worship thanis activityjust graced that Thismeans that whilewor Christian in Christ, revealed made possiblethe bypower theof Spirit. spiritual reality whenever they whenever worship, for spiritual reality regardless gather Throughthe age thus: reality imag different and covenantal saving a relationship withUsing people.his scripture,whichof directed theby narrative of tells God’s community.Thethiscommunityof instory turnis shaped and so individualits of the membersSpiritstories knits together church,corporate for sodoing, worship.the Body Christ, of In worship.Spirit inChristian the Spirit that Itis gathersthe special attentionHere, tothetheof rolemust begiven Holy enabling that they form the tapestry of theof story that formthe tapestry they theof doxological 2009, human(Dyrness, communities p. 117). thematic various elementsour that comprise composerlargersymphonya crafts out who the of out,us the or teacherwho instructs buttheus, as Godwho line.thenot lover Here as is seeks seen Godof Trinitarian life provide thebasic melod polyphony,of wherethe Gospel promise, and the blend melodiesinstories kind together a these of that God’smightOne the argue purpose to is see — true worshiptrue impossible. is

ery,describesWilliam Dyrness thisspiritual ncy of the Spirit, Christians participate ncytheof Spirit, Christians in this — which is at once active, salvific, andat once whichis salvific, active, ship is a human activity, it activity, humana ship is

y 23

A Global Conversation participatethey as God God’s bring could believers word in to eucharistic different theirtheologies. if However, the Spirit of practicingof validity holy communion guided by remotelyare Aquinas. Thethat judgements “spiritual communion”of the teachings instead,following eucharistic,thistakenapproach has toand practice chosen CatholicChurch, whose profoundly liturgical theology is su Singapore,many churches elected have to temporarily livestreamedwhen are worshippre or services whetherappropriateholy it is communion for conducted to be him makes tohowever, much Thereis, as “visible.” debate theministryof word God makes “a alsoan important worship. Christian the aspect of Forif Thetheadministrationof sacrament holyof communion is patternChrist. of themayconformof congregation sothat lives their to the God’s(John brings trans 16:13) expounded is text sacred inthe sermon, the SpiritTruth of divineand1998, the human”the Andas (Burgess, p. 46). Itimage. opens thepossibilitytherelationship a of between prese intoChrist’s 2005, (Van believers” Dyk, p. 67). But scripturealso“draws us to“presented theis communityworship, himself of Christ ecclesiastical theread Bible traditions.different is As during important plac Theand reading expositionan have scripture always of rooms. Basilica placeorin whethertheir init takes St. Peter’s living DigitalEcclesiology spendthe practiceRoman holyof communion. Even the

e in the worshiptheThisacross true is service. inthee

ncetoandus betransformedinvites intohis

churches make concerning the churchesmakeconcerning forming wordforming to the members udible,” the sacrament - recorded.In communityparticipate in itremotely. thesacrament though even the members scattered theof theSpirit same could and surely efficacythe reality ensure of such onlinethat be itmay services established in Christ throughBonhoeffer theSpirit.established Holy inChrist As helpful tocommunityrecall that ultimately theChristian is to the ecclesiologyIn thatregard Iamsketching,it wouldbe 177). lead tothe totalcommunity of loss thethatnot casemeetingsthat virtual itis necessarily would as meetingengaging physically, many as scholars have shown example) Zoommeeting(for tovia studythe Bible cannot be actualof physical interact thatmode this the placecommunicationof take unable is to mediadigital of in totouch manystay feel another,with one quite are when savvy Christians generally itcomesto the use becausetheof within fellowship one another thatability to their community.feel Christians Many engage andturn finally, very briefly,We onto thereflect Christian Koinonia diminished. (psychologicatheir worshipGod though even (John “in and spirit in4:24), truth” dueto COVID the disruptionsagency, introduced imposed the restrictions by humgraced it may,when a Be that as as weunderstand worship Christian

anmadeactivity, possibleanddivinepresence by

- 19should abilitynottheir to of robChristians

stringent lockdown stringent these Although measures. l) experience of it maybesomewhatof experience l) ions. While it is no doubt true that no ions.it is true doubt While has been seriously hampered beenhas seriously

truly heardand truly received, (Campbell, 2005, (Campbell, pp. 176

- 24

A Global Conversation that distanceand thedeep separation couldnot threaten churchescitieswhile inhewas indifferent prison. Paulknew writer apostle theme used Paul technologysuch WhatsApp,email, Facebookas orZoom. The Butface. itcanalsobeaccomplished throughcommunications 1954, donecourse,best thisis 23). in person, face Of p. to andprocla him,”a brother hisneeds as Bonhoeffer. “He writes bearer anotherneeds who Christian God’sChristian speaks word to mustthe word speak Christians Godof to “[T]heone another. in the Lord brothersand6:2).(Galatians Mostsisters crucially, other(Ephesians 6:18), theand burdenstheir of carry encourageone another Thessalonianspray (1 each 5:11), for profoundly are dependent another. toon Theyare one Godordainedmembershas in thechurch such waythata its only“meet”th virtually kept are theimposedChristians apart by restrictionsand can eventrue communionsurely when is sustained. is This true (Bonhoeff weone, only are through Christ him webound are together” continuein doOnly soonlyChrist. Jesusway of by to Jesus “can oneargues, Bonhoeffer Christians through Christ, sustainedhim. by it is so Havingestablished inChrist, become 1954, (Bonhoeffer, p.fellow 23).Christian Just as to openedhim … Christ up brother”the waytoand God to our we… would Christ notour brother, nor knowwecould come themediationunshakable its foundation: Christ, of “[W]ithout remindedfellowshiphas Christian us, DigitalEcclesiology koinonia — toexhort, instruct,and rebuke encourage the er, 1954, er, alonethrough it is Christ p. 24). Thus, that imer of the divine word of salvation” (Bonhoeffer, theimerof divineword salvation”of (Bonhoeffer,

ispossible, himandby it is alone that this

rough the use of technology.of roughthe use dia of his daydiahis of is possible becauseis of — hewasletter an avid ship is

- technology. werecipients. can Surely, Godtrust to do thethrough same andwould koinonia churchcourse,of continue to should, technology use m as and thechurchthe oreased, restrictions lifted resume should which Oncethepandemicover we findourselves. blown has thenecessitated extraordinary by measures, circumstances in should provisional arrangements as andbeseen temporary important it is However, that that Iclarify thepandemic). mitigatedhas someuse theof disruptions brought about by should thank (Christians God technology, for creative since its communion her ( of the reality is worship Neither her and the identityBodythe notof church is diminished.Christ’s as theof churchactivities suspended disrupted, or are the lockdownstrictest which of result a as the regular measures boundhistoricallyby cont Godof not thegrace and ultimately therefore is dependent or andconstituted Christ theby Spirit. Thesustained by is church and pneumatology Christology maintaint theof church,Following fathers and Zizioulas the early I church,ecclesiology.of themust essence rediscover Christians pandemicattendantthe of toall its the life with disruptions arguedessay, InI have thisbrief that inthethis wakeof Conclusion any of her offline activities andactivities offline ministriesas her of any possible. The

hehad with churches,these and that hat a robust ecclesiology must begroundedhatrobust in a ecclesiology —

by God’sby grace

kononia ) with ) God and with one another. ingent forms. Thus,ingentforms. with even the — have an impact on their an onimpact have their — the church is instituted by instituted theis church

thecurrent

authenticity of authenticity his letters could letters his 25

A Global Conversation inSingapore. the Ethosfor Advisor Research Institute Public for Christianity Doctrineat TrinityTheological and the Theological and College Chia Roland put perceptively has it, Bonhoefferimportant faith. As of the aspect community of physicaland presence interaction membersits of bodied becauseas inus God creating beings, madehas the (Romans in1:11; theagain flesh 2 Timothy is 1:4). This to must see yearn theApostle Christians Paul, each other Bible studymeet services, should words,Christians physical resume gatherings orsubstitutes. andactivities, notalternatives their as Inother shouldsupplementingonly beseen as offline the church’s activit religious sointheologically a prudent Online and manner. principled its for imaginatively ministries,but various itmustdo always DigitalEcclesiology brother(Bonhoeff andthe bodilySpirit,Holy for a of presence theGod, Redeemer, laudsthe Creator, SonFather, spiritual about bring fellowship theperfected God’sof inthe receivesthe sacrament the Lordthe believer Christ oninearth the body, in the body,hewasraised in Manbody,wascreated a the Son Godof appeared body,and thethe resurrectionof dead will is the is of HockChew HinProfessor Christian

- physical creatures. The believer therefore physical The creatures. believer ies and networksies can continue,still they but

er, 1954, er, pp. 19 ings,etc. — wherever possible. Like wherever - 20).

an an — Sunday Banks, A. M.(2020).A. Banks, S PopeLeo XIII. (1897). Martin,R.(1982). (1976).H. Küng, H. (1957).Davies, J. (1998).Burgess, (1954).Bonhoeffer,D.

News Service. Retrieved Retrieved Service. News from preach“abstinence” worship.fromgathered Religion xiii_enc_09051897_divinum xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l http://www.vatican.va/content/leo the XIIIHolySpirit. on Leo Eerdmans. TN:Abingdon.Nashville, Westminster/John Know Press. conflict time of church a community. Christian gathered online https:// - services religionnews.com/2020/04/09/shunning - The church. The worship/

Christian worship: history andIts Christian meaning. The worship of God. of worship The Why scripturem Why Divinum Illud Munus: Encyclical Munus: Pope Illud of Divinum hunning some onlineclergy services, - Life together:of Life classicThe exploration some .

Sources

- NewYork:Books. Image NewYork: Harper Collins. clergy . Louisville, KY:

Retrieved from atters: Reading atters: the in Bible -

- preach illud

GrandRapids, MI:

- munus.html - - - abstinence

.

-

from - -

26

A Global Conversation J. Zizioulas, (1997). L. (2005).Van Proclamation:Dyk, In L. Revelation,scripture. Torrance,the church? is What T. F.(1958). DigitalEcclesiology SeminaryPress. church. andthe personhood harmony in worship (Ed.), VanDyk Review,

11 (1), 6 (1),

Being as communion: as in Studies Being A more A profound :Theology and

- 21. . GrandRapids, Eerdmans.MI:

Yonkers,NY: St.Vladimir’s The Ecumenical Ecumenical The

except for whatconsidered except services.for Inworld are essential a economic as restricted, is a has activity Thisimplies lifepeopleof thatof themovementin allspheres tothe global epidemic. wayinprimary which around governments respond the world really knewnever us orthought aboutbecomehas before, the Lockdown,thethemainof virus. carrier ma worda that becomethemain toresponse COVID unfortunatelyhas daily. Socialalso increasing distancing worldwide,recovered have theis total numberdeaths of and geographically thena deadly worldmainly for two namely the quickreasons, spread COVID toThe alsoreferred as Coronavirus, World Connected Distancing ofWay When BecomesAlive the Staying a in tools to online. take offline practices essay simple online as the used mediums many, the Whilst understanding for against option warns context. viable a be African to seems South church a in experience social during on moving is church the how on reflects essay This itnig u t C to due distancing The Church is Moving is Church The On(line)

Anita Cloete OVID - 5

-

ture thereof. Althoughthereof. ture many - 9 seiial fo my from specifically 19, -

19thebody human as is

lsobeen put onhold [ Cite here.] source your - 19,shakenhas the

ny of ny

27

A Global Conversation needencouragement and hope. with challenge inleaders areal a religious time when people manytheprohibition Therefore, left gatherings these of belonging to fait andfaitha exercising twiceone theof mainweekare a expressingtheirof ways manyonce church in South gatherings members Africa, or moreeven findclearly meaning in life, Forsoin timescrisis. of mainfunctions i religion of functionalon theindicates perspective of religion that one inespecially times ofin rolepeople’ssignificant lives, A crisis. Thishowever,view validAfrica. may bea stillreligion a plays weakandto fragil already minor viewed as causedcompared todamage the economic and practices Thegatherings prohibition religious of maybe gatherings. religious weddingandviolatingthe regulationregarding attendees,for along with arrested, thewere p inSouth couplea Africa, went weddingtheir who ahead with hotspots the virus.makingsuchspreading for gatherings Also contamination tracedwere back togatherings, religious lockdo are andalsopracticesprohibited marriages like under thisreflection,the factthathowever, is religious gatherings Importantrespondingplannedof to thisyear. events for for and peopleused to doto standstill. a comes The words deatha sentence,everythingexperienced as because literally characterizedmobility, by andlockdowna be maysound like DigitalEcclesiology postponed till furthernotice postponed wn. In South Africa, several original cases of several original cases Africa, InSouth wn.

e economies,inespecially South s helping people to make sense and sense helping people s to make astor whoastor officiated at the

havebecome standard ways hcommunity. cancelled

by broadcastingby sermonstheiron Facebook and sending to found provide comfortleaders it necessary toflockstheir Sincethe lockdow of thestart Me Me that Religionbecause Give Online Is for It GoodEnough short statementwith impact.Similarly,Facebook and operating.of Forinstance,youTwitter, use if you must makea mediumsof forms certainDifferent a kind have logic of orway Online Natureof the in Keeping Moving Mediums Mind when “transferring.” simplytransferredservices whereoffline are online as specifically. Campbell(2020, the strategydescribes p. 53) media andmedia in Facebook general platforms like used tobedone online.offline, Thismisleading a vie is tools merely thatplatforms as canbeused to replicate what timeandtoforward.seem Manythese going view media commentsmediautilizing these duringthis forms regarding and entertaining.interesting outplatform to which figure service/sermonmore is online hopping canthey listentomanypossible andsermonsas do tolistento. overwhelmedthatrecordings the many by were live available how,I recall Sundayon duringlockdown, the first I felt technologyof up,the useleaders. sois religious by TechSavvy” (2020)in the newspaperWepener states article “Religion to church Cas messages membersWhatsApp. As using

. I interpret thisto . Iinterpret mean changingfromplatform to Some people noted that they love the idea that notedSome people thatthe loveidea they ,

as social as distancingdue to COVID

This brings meThis to fewbrings a n in South Africa, many religious religious many nAfrica, in South - 19 is speeding

wof church church s Get s 28

A Global Conversation theof presentation. Competition,unintended, also probably includingthe aestheticlike qualities those mentioned earlier, follow,that ma choice audiencesconfronted are to with whichservices of choices in the partially, hands theorat least ofaudience. When authorityno with seated is longer the pastorbut primarily, is online using When mediums church the for gatherings, Online Services Unintendedof Outcomes when Beware Holding Church thedenomination. churchand the pas tomorerecordeda formal approach are whereservices in the encountering are now. people Other maybemore attracted clear a sermonshave His focustoand thewerelate challenges dr tofollowAdditionally, thiscongregation’spastor services. foundaudiencesthattouching; background drawcould image are recordedservices pastor’s outsideingarden,his which I improved have presentations. their somepresenters One I followed I couAs online somethese of services, music. combinedwith or otherbeautiful a elements background like importanceof levels. how Therefore, different content onlinepresented is is withthat stimuentertainment and images platforms. Thesemedianormally platforms are alsoassociated to thesevia replicate normal Sundayservices/sermons therefore,not it is compact possibleorwiseto messages; try platf WhatsAppare DigitalEcclesiology esses semi esses

- formally, creating a morea creating relaxedformally, atmosphere. —

it should be well prepared, focused, and bewell focused, prepared, it should

tor’s dress according dress to the dress code tor’s of

orms that are associatedormsthat are with short, y be influenced by several factorsbeinfluenced y several by late audienceson ld see how ldsee again at any time,at any while again othersmaymembers.lose These congregationsonline maygain leave members who could willThisannounced be impliesthe during service. that some promisesintroducingof speciala s comesservicestheir into some advertise pastors as play with thepopularity theof post choicesto and according personaltheir preferences taste and providedthose who atall.However, do can maketheir choosesomefrom; w mentioned As audiences now earlier, different have optionsto the alone bodyas Christ. together of becomesoneviable not optiondefault but a theonly challenged point atthis communitysurely notis is real when it aboutbut physical theperception togetherness, communionsomething Thereis special other believers. with the are members,congregational expression gatherings of churchbeing for Therefore, that know. many most people thelo are Congregations Alone Community: Rethinking Being Together thefuture. members shouldcontextualyounger of continue knowledge in thedevelopment, and thiscooperation whichacknowledges i themmembersto inand recordings theirassist the on childrenbecausetheir often pastors rely church younger or intergenerational cooperationmoving on(line) are churches as to elementAnother thatseems interesting is there be s couldtrends membershipalsoimpact once and participation mprovementpositivea Thisthereof. beimportantcould and ocial distancingends.

ill not engage with these services with ill notservices these engage

cal andmost concreteof expression — in other words how many likes likes wordsmany how inother peaker orsomething peaker that

that onlinethat — tobe 29

A Global Conversation connectioninform betweenpreaching. should What time and timely(2019) bookpulpit. wrote very Cilliers a Johan on the importan person,is thepulpit, Therefore, whichone normally is occupied by whichchurch. centralI ama part, preachingbeing aspect is of Intraditionsmany tradition thereligious reformed like of Timing and/as Preaching limiteddue to restriction Thiscontrasts is with communitiesoffline wherechoice person formed throughtherefore online are more communities spiri constructingmorea individualized custom denominations betweendifferent andtraditions, religious mobilitytomobility available audiencesthat are alsoimply increased mobility2012, (Campbell, andchoice 683). The p. individualism”associated thatwith is freed Facebookplatforms like andcreate“networked reinforce factors. Communities different built mediathrough social communitiesoffline by and determined regulated that are individualistic space.onlineMoving mayenforcethis andscattered more wherethechoices individualslimitedof are timeby and andcommunitiesfromoffline the communities created differ possible.centered around Onlineplatformsare the individual, Facebookplatforms like orbehavi thisresponse makes 2015, (Hjarvard, respect p. The 7). interactivenatureonlineof audiencesby to people freely like, they findinteresting, and constitutes therefore, authorityformof a ascribedthat is andfromother what kindfeedbackit receives of DigitalEcclesiology tuality. Cloete (2015)tuality. Cloete thatexplains “ - centred andneed shape of communities,shapeof impact whichcould

t, andwhatespecially from saidthe is s in terms of timeinof terms and s place.

- centred thanplace Relationshipsthat are - omandchoiceof made kind of madekind - centred” (p. 3). 3). (p. centred” s.

Popularity,

or includingeconomic, and psychological spiritual, physical, characterizedenormous by onchallenges many levels, perioda present that canbelabelled as thattime, this beargued the p thepreachingprocessof intime a suchthis? as Itsafely could church when these visible things cannotthings church visible happenwhen anymore? these like andthings othervisible practices. gatherings Whothe is churchin cri Faleni (2020)wrote onan article insightful thetheof role church,timelya word. Mzukisi bringing besides Columnist analsoprovides opportunity being for whatto essential ask is but becomes also Therefore, message the message. this time suchthis. time Thisa a as whenis thechurch have should should,Churches however, not sermonsin time a onlydeliver Essential Is What Being inabout Crisis?Church of Time 2019, thehomiletical (Cilliers, p. 189). situation hermeneuticalto time the skills tex timelypreacher,discernment andprerequisite soare is indeedneeded toGod’s word bring Totograceful people. bea Ajobs. theirlosing income timelyothersare word is and dueto the uncert thewisdom preaching” 24).of time This (p. a with filled is fear help preachers kindle the knowtheand acknowledge in connectionthat could/shouldgrace befulfilled between God’s fromthe (2019)time . requires describes Cilliers the moreimportantthiseven specific message todiscern what institutions. betweendifferent Intimethis,a itbecomes like addressing coop therefore, it callschallenges, for a specifica time with the word sis, arguing that thechurch arguing ontoosis, is focused ainty of the future, as many do not earn anmany earn do as theaintyof future, not Kairos. Kairos. Kairos resent with resent COVID Kairos: Kairos: Herein lies Herein the brilliance of

when itcomes… these t, connecting the text andt, connectingthe text “Timely preachers normal. normal.

Thistime is - eration 19,does not

30

A Global Conversation need (2020).groups toCampbell, A. H. religious What andreligion media. theology and are popular areas culture, andyouth culture, Theology,SouthStellenbosch He Africa. University, departmentandFaculty PracticalMissiology, of Theology of Cloete Anita allowed undercurrent restrictions. based organi cooperateinstitutions with governmentand other like faith circumstances.members antoespecially opportunityfor Itis identity and her expression revisit under thereof different with forms and uniquecreative a opportunityto rethinkand the church presents challenged. thiscrisis Therefore, in all it not churchis being holding available, church (gatherings) is circumstances. different that Itseems when theoptionof belongto the church nowtobut under have bechurch lookduringthistime,a butas in the rather inactioncall understanda for as view his theby churches theperformance withGod comesdo withfrom the and heart that little has to nowbeing part of the vital as Faleni (2020) formulatesfacing the challengethe church is DigitalEcclesiology ReligionPublications. online church (Ed.), consider when Campbell H.A. movingonline. church In

zations to serve theworld zationstoin everywayserve that is The distanced church: Reflections distanced The on doing isandlecturer a associate professorin the - driven aspect of being church. aspectbeing of notdriven Ido

(pp. 51 Sources -

54). College Station, 54).TX: College Digital

church,namely, the relationship

mirrorfor all who r r research - s Cloete, A. (2015).A. inculture:digital a Cloete, Living The need for (2012).Campbell,A. H. Religionand microcosmthe internet:A Faleni J. (2019).Cilliers, C. Wepener, (2020,tech savvy:get Religions 5). May Epidemic religion. of S. (2015).Hjarvard Mediatizationauthority and the changing , M. (2020,, 29).April Roleduringtimethe of church of Media & & Media Society, internetandstudying trends implications.for but 04 https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/opinion/2020 from different is but crisis, vital. still preaching. of social distancin uptechnology of speeds use duringlockdown and 1 theological reflection. - 7. - 29 - Media, Culture Media, & still

- role - vital/. Timing grace: Reflections grace: Timing temporalityon the - of

- Stellenbosch,Sun Press. ZA: church

g. g.

15 The Star.The (5), 680 (5), -

during Society, Society, HTS Theological Studie Theological HTS

- - 694. time 20,1 DispacthLive

- of - 10. - crisis

-

is . Retrieved - different s, 71 s, New

(2), - - 31

A Global Conversation “worships” PopeFrancisdecriedrecently virtually. that the to technologicallya gathering communitydriven which intomakingunscheduled replacetraditional churchchurch forced formats. The now is world,concerns are there thatmight doingonlinechurch church.theacross theactivities With suspension religious of about the of infectedhas 2019,Sincewhich thetheadventdisease of deadlyrife. are COVID outbreaktheof novelalso coronavirus disease, authoritieson the implicationsto thetheof lockdown due Inrecent times, conversations among and academics church Introduction DigitalEcclesiology digital realities for a c execution systematic such as parameters planning andexcellent Against all this that right essay misgivings, argues the with 2:00am CST,20 2020 April hurch authorities, Digital Ecclesiology: Setting Digital for the Post Parameters a - p 19,which in Wuhan,started onChina, 31 ost

implicationsonthetheof of isolationthe future - put p 2,319,066 and killed 157,970 2,319,066killed and globally people

andemic era

in place by media andlegitimate scholars

Pandemic EraChurch Pandemic d JustineJohn Dyikuk igital

transitions from traditional forms of forms fromtraditional transitions c h e urch which sails on the sea of sails ontheurch which sea cclesiology is a

(WHO, 2020), there are fears 2020), fears are there (WHO, - 6

-

sine qua non sine qua known as st

December December

- as as

has thehas f T eachother ( detached themselves, fromthe sacrame peoplethe for situationliving danger a presents faith only for Duc, citedDuc, in dimensionsin an ever people’s of lives impactssystematically the d theof Gospel.branch a Itis of communicationcommunicationsefficient (ICT) for technology whichdevelopmentsutilizes in andinformation ecclesiology Digital Ecclesiolo Digital XVI,2013). manyof people, experiences theespecially young(Benedict environmentnot is parallel world a but theof daily part 2001; between aspires theologiansto in seekingessay assist consensus ecclesiology,indigital mind bearing prosandThis its cons? developedthe (leadership) hierarchy thefully parameters for att Wouldthe church virtual church replaceorcompliment real understandit. It attempts questions:to theanswer following betweenpeoplethedo waygroups impacting andchurch is howthe current forcedand social distancing isolation ecclesiologynow and inand the future, it h about wouldincreased anxiety disease thedeadlyaffect likely theand pandemic, it will to after ascertainhow it aspires onhow the COVID his qualitativehis endance? Are the faithful ready for a digitala for endance?the ready faithful church? Are Has Dyikuk, 2019a), in minddigital Dyikuk, bearing the factthat the ollowingobjectives: digital n digital

CatholicService News Salles, 2015 Salles, essay, which essay, approach,employs the narrative gy arratives -

19 pandemic is impacting churches now 19impacting pandemic is churches

referencesthe church in the 21 ). It presents the church as a the church Itpresents ). as

and igital age inthe different age igital

i t attemptstheologicala thinking cyber digital immigrants digital , 2020)., - theology - changingmilieu (Le nts,theand church

opes to investigate to investigate opes which ( st Prensky,

century, 32

A Global Conversation maintaincommunication them ( in active otherandtraditional because attract they is users media. This interactionfrom and feedbackwhichdistinguishmedia these andneeds, current s reference,communicationof frame a while embracing the communicatorsinto topersonal feelings infuse to roomhighvarietycreatea oflanguagetheof use for and face richmeaning. Visual mediaas tools such andthekinetic actual with cues to contentconvey ideas of paralinguistic,elementsintonation,such verbal, proxemic,as andsocial communicatesuch as signals mediumwhichinformationmultiple to carry based oncues is theoretical The framework. theoryholds a of that thecapacity a This as studyadopts new media theory communication Framework Theoretical l are after restored fatalities reduced, found, vaccinesare and towards churchChristians is attendance normalcy when behaviorto normaltheir Italsorefers the aggregate lives. of thelockdown resume would people when thechurch impact the COVID after pandemicchurchtheThisof church. willera the betime of ecclesiologydigitalconsidered is the Here, inof light post and Instagram, Twitter. andtelevision social Facebook, mediatools such WhatsApp, as throughtraditional mediadigit platforms broadcast like communitybothoperates which and invirtually reality DigitalEcclesiology ife continues ife usual. as - face communicationface space.virtual They allow in - emotional cues. It argues that theinternetallowsemotional cues. Itargues - 19pandemic. concepta Itis

ituation Thisengenders theof receiver.

body language, verbal verbal body language, sounds,

videoconferences Shodhganga,2020 ualization of howof ualization al - ).

- scarcity inscarcitybroadcasting;cheaper thanit is other traditional andnoanyone Thereis canphysical contentonline.produce ecclesiologybecause naturethedemocratic internet is its by Thistheoretical the early Christians Christians theandearly Jewishtheir counterparts wasused writers early (assembly) by to distinguish between persecution.crucial that Itis the to note theapostles,conversion to Christian theand faith, early church family wouldsoon duepreaching to blossom fierce development With a bread). as doctrine, of what started administrationtheof theandof Word sacraments (breaking makeroom the apostlesto for concentrate the on Forexample, thediaconate and roles functions.inof terms based and stratified ecclesiologywasbased on socializationa that family was 2005). (Mudge, Theologically,to wenowas what refer p who communitycameworship,believers of for together Withinthe periodthe c under review, they own,their 4:32). everything had” shared sothey (Acts andheart mind. that whatwasfelt not Andthey owned they Fromtold we33 are that thebe “All AD, Churchin Early Ecclesiology the two modes communicationof different and such pull, as push, knowstheof web.heorshe the language It alsoprovides media,anybody as can launch webs a rayer, communal rayer, instruction, mission sharing, reflection, and - waycommunication ( framework is in tandemframeworkis with digital Shodhganga,2020 ministry emerged as a necessity to necessity a as ministryemerged

ite with less expense if if expense ite withless hurch lievers were lievers united in Greek word word Greek

was the visible visible wasthe ).

(Mudge, (Mudge,

e kklesia - by

33

A Global Conversation a in Post in 21 Ecclesiology the et Progressio, Communio include inespecially both andconciliar post Withinthistime, theChurch’steachings on the media GodSchroeder,of & through theSpirit Holy (Bevans and to witnesses communitypreaches,serves, which the reign opined have to a that experts thechurch pointsitself beyond God.”the element theHighlighting of Church’sidentity, renewed theunderstanding the“Theof Church as Familyof thewindowsto air come thefresh in.of Church for This theVaticanWithLuther’s exit, Council II(1962 totradition the living and teaching theLord called around are to serve the sacraments in fidelity scripture,theCatholic andChurch insistedthatlaity theclergy androle function on andfaith thewhichrelies churchwithin sawthe church communitya as of centered community.the postWhile inecclesiology clergy froma fromthe Catholic Church on 31 of highsense a awaydomesticfroma church clergy a to InthetheReformation, centuries before movedthe church after Reformation andEcclesiology Vaticanthe II communication. 2005) DigitalEcclesiology . Here InterMirifica, - pandemic Era , ecclesiology, wasbased on face clericalism. AfterMartinLuther broke away

st Vigilanti Cura Vigilanti

Century: In Search ofIn Century: Search Digital a Church

and - centered churchto laitya Aetatis Novae, st

October 1517, there was shift wasshift October1517, there

believers equal of interms believers of theof magisterium. , - conciliar documents conciliar Miranda Miranda Prorsus - Reformation ecclesiology - centered churchwith - to among others - - 1965) opened 1965) face humanface

2 , — 004 -

— ). ). .

lives (Pontifical Councillives for howhowpeople their communicatebut understand they in ininternetbrought has about just revolutionarynot changes including everything, thatreligion. The Church believes the The21 namelythat it: (2011)drewimplications three inage, churchdigital a for recent addition). work,disciples (a on Based Dulles’s Rice communion,of andsacrament, community herald,servant, illuminatetheaspectsof churc different initially developed ecclesiologists, fiveDulles models which contemporaryof the studyof writings Protestant and Catholic twenty timeand space into real that mediaRice theabilitydigital of (2011) to collapseagrees society.digital connectingby think,know,ourselves inus a and express newa “anthropologicalthe waywe reshaping space”whichis SpadaroChardin, that (2014) t argues and McLuhan,theTeilhardMarshall works of Levy, Peter de advancedivinemission its on ( earth realitythelived Churchtheof worldtoneeds engage to soas st - create real create mediadigital collapses time and space intoorder understandingthe churchourof time, theexplosion in that maysupplement older for paradigms Collapses space: time and a) first centurychurch carefula first model.useful a After

centurybrought has in changes ICTwhich affect

- timeglobal connectionsbetween people. - time

Social Communications,2002). The

global connections offers the global connectionsoffers Byoffe Colberg, 2018 Colberg, he digital environmenthedigital is h: institution,mysticalh: ringnewa model ). Based on Based ).

34

A Global Conversation canuse in thatits bereflected ecclesial modelhow “herald,” whichas the Word, proclaims Forinstance, certainwherea church primary its views Socialroom media questioningcan for give doctrines. church ecclesiologicaldoctrines Questioning possi authority.Themedia digital thisof nature virtual creates throughsocial media,digital or maychallenge ecclesiastical possibilityentrenchingof ecclesiology,digital a especially fromwithin midsttheir 2012).The the (Rice, challenge is, congregational politynurturein l congregants which some While churches bishops,morea have othershave authority ecclesial Challenging Post DigitalEcclesiology - bility. pandemic Ecclesiology:Issues and Challenges of fellow of i suffering away far are connectableto are they individuals, Fosters empathy: genuine c) nature and His on very earth. reign profoundand God’sinsights understandings about transcendenceand Thisimminencet God. of leads possiblethrough new tomedia, the whichpoints instantaneousglobalmade interactionsnow are dawnedhas before not uponexisted have as us which bodyexampletheChrist” of “universal may Promotes inuniversal b) Christ: bonds

- feeling. feeling. nother climes, towards a establishing sense

offer genuineempathy to those who are

of newof media? 2012).(Rice,

Becausemediadigital

helppeople who A

seeming vivid seeming eaders eaders

o whoattack faith their would leaders memberstheir to prepare contend those with identity,authenticity ( technologyimportant Digital alsoraises questionsabout recession. the poor feeding and doing charityamidst economic assumptionssecular these of awareness like 2012), (Rice, organizationto moreact a conscious that inways reflect understandingsand commitments. Itmight b body practicesreligious theologicala might of its not reflect commona around front. Issues the corporate electronic bedifficult to wayfindarounda theological as virtually trends Given theCatholic, Protestant, and understandings Diverseand theological commitments Service detacheddangerous, fromthe people Godof ( and together, without thesacraments withoutEucharist,Godof without thepeopleassembled the mediavia faithconsumption it is not is theChurch, because and theprivate public ( 2012).(Rice, also Itis community,community,the family and the community virtual between communities three navigating Thepost community between church Distinguishing “community” as and virtual , 2020)., - pandemic era would present a challenge of would pandemicera challengea of present

. difficultthe to distinguish between Chia, 2019Chia,

Chia, 2019Chia, ), and how ), ). Pope Francis warned that PopeFranciswarned ). Pentecostalit might divide, , describing the trend as trendas describingthe , — the real physical physical thereal ecclesiastical ecclesiastical e tough for an for tough e Catholic News Catholic

35

A Global Conversation post andnew set parameters a issues for content (in andstructure) 2017,clerics and 43).theologians these Unless interrogate p. an online creating just church but it(Dyikuk, sustaining by newmedia communicationof the to engage soulsandof topastors advantage media take experts the of theological understandingsand Itbehooves commitments. churchdiverse “community” as and and community,” “virtual questioningecclesiol processin the face toconcentrateessential thenew that on stare the obstacles toreligion blossomfor create in our time. it is Therefore, framework theIn of light ministry( the commonresponsibly,for whileenhanc good, direction. Meanwhile, 2015 Salles, in theonly theologysteps cyberspace few of(Le citedDuc, in cited (Dulles, charityin Christ Rice, 201 collapsestime and bonds space anduniversal of promotes pandemiccommunicationdigital Indeed,of era. thisera buddinga for ecclesiologytheof c centered church.Vatican renewed IIsawa The Council Reformation,clergy a it moved community family froma to Inthe centuriesthat followed,the particularlybefore householdtofull a community Itwasestablished that thechurch initially grew Conclusion DigitalEcclesiology - pandemicthechurch, sustainability digi of era Mirus, 2010 Mirus, , there are lofty are there , opportunities which formats digital

), the church needs to make greater efforts the churchmakegreater ), in that toneeds newmedia ecclesiologychurchdigital a of inpost a —

hurch ogical doctrines, distinguishing between ogical doctrines, e.g., challenging ecclesial authority, challengingecclesial e.g., authority, ). ). Christians ought media toChristians utilize social

- communication theoretical as a family of God,of family a madeas which way - fledged Christian community. Christian fledged 1). Since there are are Since1). there

faithful by not by faithful

froma ing apostolic ing tal - - It is crucial Itis tothecontentincrease digital of andquality theological Harnessresourcesdigital followingrecommendations. cry. ecclesiology will far a be light of the COVID of light should ContemporaryChristians develop innew metaphors metaphors Change media,andcommunication social network ( radio/TV(bro whichtooften divided media according are the structurecommunicationrejig of and ministries offices with2019b). new media 2012;Dyikuk, (Rice, Thereis theological times through with content engaging the changing communicatorsPastoral and needpastors to align catechesis,and moral2011). guidance(Hjavard, to people spiritual demands direction,while popularof offering genres Thisbecause shapeinformationthey is to according the Newmedia richbroadcastsa are to new a Align andsermons/. counselingdoctrinal sessions, teachings,biblical reflections, thechurch congresses,insuch activities seminars, as ecclesiology.digital This more prominence to establishedas give so to an enhanced Ecclesiology InstituteDigital (TIDE,2020) for be should of transmitt such computers, resources as projectors, sets, television Centre for for Theology (DurhamCentre Digital University, 2020) and ers, and worldwide. the like ers, adcasting), and adcasting), fil - media media world - 19orother pandemics. Thisbecause ouris

wouldof theonline boost presence

Thismetoleads make the — resource for religious for resource issues. intointerpersonal/cultural,

Institutions in Institutions the mold — Eilers, 2016).Eilers, like press, press, like their needto

36

A Global Conversation cannotbecauseother of serious attend memberstowho fromgoing church prevented are orwho anfor ecclesiology which beneficiala provides alternative duechallenges to the lockdown, thetoneeds church reinvent andspirit on the breaththeandof Word breaking survives the bread theof church.peoplea Creating as tocommunities smallrevamp the Christian basic cell (SCCs) need toChurch back leaders go to the drawingboard in order back the board to drawing Go holistic2016). theological toand global approach, local (Eilers, competence,institution tocommunity, a “psychology” to consumermediato producer, education to communication medifrom mass incontextthe present ( to advancingdivinemissionmore its deeplyrelative onearth pandemics Thisitself helpwould theonknow church faith. de and modernutilizes educatesexperts, the trains faithful, needExperts to develop reneweda ecclesiology which ecclesiology Renew 2019b)based on changing trends. Thesemetaphors online (Dyikuk, require feedbacksystems andinform space wheredigits andpresenceimagininginnew ofthings a “ways sense timeof 2011).(Rice, TheGod’s worlddigital for metaphor a provides which insights deeper anotherdraw closertous God and one metaphors very DigitalEcclesiology vices for evangelization for vices of purposes to cushion the effects - filled c filled

a toa social communication,digital, analog to are changing are harity is key. is harity

Colberg, 2018 Colberg, — Given thecurrent economic

oursituation” 2014). (Singh, therefore, there therefore, need is for - centered churchwhich

). This requires moving This requires ). reasons, allowing reasons,

practically. themto anotherfollow online theone liturgy while assisting Colberg, K. (2018). EcclesiologyColberg, today toandpotential its R.(2019).Chia, Via modem: Paper Religion in theage. digital Catholic(2020). Service. inNews online Popedanger warnsof S. and Schroeder,Bevans, R.( Nigeri Communication, Mass Departmentof currently is He andblogs infreelances. lecturer athe andof Director the Editoris He Justine John Dyikuk Justine a

doi:10.1177/0091829617739842 missiona serve mpaign=via modem/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_ca from Istitute, RetrievedDurhamUniversity, Durham,UK. workshop ata presented on theology,digital Ethos in www.catholicweekly.com.au/pope masses. of mission today. theology for - online

https://ethosinstitute.sg/via

- Communications,he where Diocese Bauchi Retrieved Retrieved from in - masses/ - Chief of Bauchiof Chief CaritasCatholic Newspaper - modem is an author, is andjournalist researcher. arychurch. .

. Sources

2004 Missiology ). ).

Constants in context: A context:A in Constants

Maryknoll, NY University of Jos,of University .

- - warns , 46 (1), 23 (1), - of : - danger Orbis – 36. .

- 37

A Global Conversation S. Hjavard, (2011).Theorising Thereligion: of mediatisation F. J.Eilers, (2016). “Go Missionand16:15). and proclaim” (Mk. J. J. (2019b).Dyikuk, Theprosand cons socialof J. the J. (2019a).Bridging Dyikuk, Theage: digital J. J. (2017).andDyikuk, theage: digital Christianity Sustaining Durha Dulles DigitalEcclesiology m University forTheology. mUniversity Centre (2020). Digital , A. (1991).A. Religion: Interdisciplinary 12An Religion: Journal, media,religion, and social change. SchmittFranz Verlag. beyond ad Mission gentes. evangelization. In:J. Tauchner and Kavunkal C. (Eds.), social communic 5 An African Journal Igwebuike: of ArtsandHumanities, communicationin the mission theinof church Nigeria. ofSocial ScienceJournal communicationbetween gap natives. digital MassCommunication, 3( and theonline church. from Retrieved kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FC1JD0/ref=dp (Expanded[Kindleedition]. from ed.) Retrieved (1), 98 (1), - redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 - 121. Models of the churchModelsof the

www.dur.ac.uk/digitaltheology/ ation in a new culture for for innew a culture ation International Jou International

, 2 (1), 13 (1),

A Symposium. A 1),43

(ImageClassics 13) - 19.

- Culture and and Culture 49. rnal ofJournalism

(2), 119 (2), .

Siegberg Sumerianz Sumerianz - . 135.

, DE: -

from J. Mirus, (2010). Rice,J. (2011).theof church media Newmodels innew a M. Prensky, (2001). D PopeBenedict Portals Social XVI.truthof (2013). networks: Pontifical CouncilSocial for Communications. L.Mudge, S.(2005).

social www.catholicculture.org/commentary/vatican http://cpx.cts.edu/newmedia/blog/new fromworldpost]. log Retrieved [Web Horizon, day.html xvi_mes_20130124_47th xvi/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict the47 and Messageevangelisation. space:Newfor spaces for internet_en.html /documents/rc_pc_pccs_doc_2002 www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/pccs internet the almanacs www.encycloped from Retrieved - communication/ th

fromWorldCommunications Retrieved Day. . 9 - Vatican II on social communication. Retrieved Vatican Retrieved communication. II on social

transcripts (5), 1 (5), . Retrieved . Retrieved from Church: Ecclesiology Church: igital natives, digital immigrants.digital natives, igital - 6. . ia.com/environment/encyclopedias

- and .

- - world maps/church - communications . Encyclopedia.com. 0228_church The Church and and Church The - - ecclesiology - media - - On the Onthe ii - - - on - .

- 38

A Global Conversation TheEcclesiology Institute Digital Ecclesiologyof (2020). Digital Spadaro cyber (2014).of Singh, M. P. overview An Shodhganga. from (2020). Retrieved framework. Theoretical M. (2015).H. onSalles, Communicatorsthereflect “Gospel in Rice,J. ou (2012). Does DigitalEcclesiology https://digitalecclesiology.org/resources from Resources. Retrieved Christianity www.amazon.com.au/Cybertheology Press University theof internet [ era IN.Bangalore, on atseminar presented Shodhganga.inflibnet.ac gospel information/news/133 www.freinademetzcenter.org/index.php/news from society.”digital Retrieved ecclesiology project/2012/05/11/does http://cpx.cts.edu/newmedia/blog/new post]. log Retrieved[Web from new project/2011/08/05/new , A. (2014).A. , - media - in - digital - -

world . Era Cybertheology: Thinking ChristianityCybertheology: inthe

- r “digitology” match our ecclesiology? “digitology” matchr our ecclesiology? . Retrieved from - Internet society .

Kindleedition]. NewYork: - communicators . . -

Ekklesiology ebook/dp/B00QS3R5W4. -

- models our - digitology - - of theology. Paper - the

- inCyber Age, Thinking - reflect - - - . medi church

match a Fordham - - - - on and - - our in - - the

a - - - - WorldHealth Organization. (2020).

overview. Retri overview. eved eved from https://covid19.who.int/ Coronavirus (COVID Coronavirus - 19) .

39

A Global Conversation emphasizethe RomanCatholics,These traditionsand Anglicans,resist. Lord’sSupper” onlineothers,including via venues; Luthe comfortable traditionsperfectly a are with offering “virtual legitimacycommunionof Somebeenhas reopened 62). (p. the theological argument” regarding andecclesiological what crisis, TimHutchings (2 “thedigital” beenforcedand topresence moveits expression of much into andembodied theChrist, church As 4). incarnation” (p. has concepto built Heidi Campbell“[T]hechurch (2020) As observes, [is] a Introduction DigitalEcclesiology “Beyond the Binary?”Digital How Digital“Beyond “the is Church” in the Corona Age? Analytical, Corona the Theological, and Philosophical original thecopies materialelevating sake for the of and an dualistic denigrating overcomes that metaphysics dualisms Scandinavian analogue” andrelated grounding aturn towards binaries, viatheological conceptual of the and analyses “digital “online,” “virtual,” “digital” or communion are resolved Current debatestheologicallegitimacy regarding of the s acredness. —

i.e., online n the ideas of a peoplea thenBodyof the ideas gathered, of real c reation

presence of the Body and theof Bodypresence andChrist of Blood Charles Charles

Considerations — t heology contexts because theof COVID contexts 020) calls the “very old calls the “very 020) - Melvin Melvin 7

-

as endorsing anon as Ess

- - rans, rans, - 19

of these issues duringthe corona issues they these of crisis, remainlargely possibledebates,but in grounds these are despite the urgency equivalentto home elementsanalogueinthese cannotof the believer’s be inthe elementstheof sanctified bread and wine. copy A or regarding the regarding Sometime intheenlightenedcolleague Iwas late1990s,a by Puja now better, inwell the loomingas as climate crisis. that moveu movingclosertous overcome. Finally,I turn as to creation Scandinavian theology metaphysicalto and dualismstheological that Iseek remainssolidlybinary in place andhowever,that contes thefraught communionsdigital or virtual debatesover illustrate, further commentsnot currentdangerous. Representative deeply in both andif conceptuallysuspect terms, fraught intheological re “analogue,” vs. virtual ourundergird conceptsthey primary “digital”of vs. dualistic. as Ithenassumptionscarefully examinethese more metaphysical Western andtheological as assumptions ,whose resolutions ourforeground prevailing anecdote but suspect and Toways. dangerous an do with so,I begin are mostthese as especially challen approach anI pursuealternative to debates,one these that unresolved.

Online? A Metaphysical and Theological Online? ges their metaphysicaltheir andges theological assumptions — a set of religious and religious metaphysicalof set a s beyond the current debates, serving us beyond s the current debates,serving far

partaking in the partaking puja ritual as practiced ritual as inHind non - dualistic al, andsoon. Theseassumptions are dualistic — real as do as the deeper

metaphysicsand theology Lord’s Supper. Some middleLord’sSupper. Some teddigital innot onlyquestionable uism, e.g., uism,e.g., Koan koans, koans, - analogue

but from — 40

A Global Conversation assumptions are and,these perhaps,theological Most briefly, assumptions. becausemetaphysicalwe hold Western to characteristically surprisedme, you like are these If, by itis I suggest responses, 2007, 1110 1107ff., pp. between difference ancopy originaldigital and its (cf. somehowdiluted or barred spatialdistanceby orthe Thepresenceyes. goddess?Again, is theof goddess not the copyis theof picture holy, or sacred inhabitedstill theby sothat now they thedisplay picture o orfellow worshipper anywherein the world internet, the via statue.Second toas believed inhabit fully inhabitsas she theimagedigital the capablehostingof the goddes nono means physicallyidenticallonger theand statue so with wouldview assumedWestern that have copy thedigital by is assumptions, yes.my Western the is answer Thatmy is, holylikewise o it ondisplay at home,mycomputer screen the pictureis thewhilestatue inhabited it, anddigitize then the by goddess, community, internet. the First via ritua Stedell,1977). colleague then My explained totheme how outtaken is statue and(e.g., dumped unceremoniously rather theendtheAt ofritual period, departs, the goddess and the worshipped is she of as withfood,offerings and sweets, soon. comes to herself inhabit the goddess thefor statue few a built, carefully painted, is goddess and adorned. Forbelievers, withfamiliar representingalready theclaystatue ritual, a the surroundingthe worship Iwas Ganesha. theof goddess As DigitalEcclesiology l hadbeen up,taken inespecially the Indian diaspora r sacred, i.e.,inhabitedsacred, r theby goddess? koan dualistic

: If I send a copya I send theIf of picture : to sister a - 14).

asthe

s. Wrong. The goddess is Theis Wrong. goddess s. y sharply divide sharply y and oppose koan n their computer screen, screen, ncomputer their : If I take If : picturea of

Jacobs, Contra

days days —

To can On wein thinkthe besure, West differently. close anoriginal and copy.a temporarilyinhabits,thedifference well sharp as as between the ofgoddess thespirit the materiale.g., statue vs. she dualisms. metaphysicalchallenge becauselikewiseour they prevailing puzzling encounter,to on as notionsus first just in part are localand sofully reality, theandacross statuemany copiesits digital in thenon same entangled anotherbutus, is theof goddess for thepresence multipleits oneapart fromcopies digital hold far them wound By string. remainconnected the “non in “local Butas the atquantum realities.” dots thetwo level, stretched intotwo pieces unrolling thewound string string: of separates dotball that putting helpfulis of dot a image paint of ontightly a instantaneouslywith One thechange samein the other. are “entangled:”changing years, one correlates twowhethe “twin” particles, empiricallydemonstrated in the 1960s,at thequantum level, But as microscopically years. experimentslight oracross onephysicallybit distantmatter ofis another, from whether Thatwe ge is, diversein these present copies digital theof original statue. local wecan understand reality,” Ganeshafully of the spirit as withanalogy “non notions quantumof entanglement and

- out string. For us, these nowthese out Forus, string. two separated dots are nerally assume a “local”a assumeone nerally in reality, which —

analogy, theanalogy, localofstatue realities and perhaps very far far fromone anotherperhapsvery on the

present in each.present But these quantum r separated by meters meters by separated r orlight - local reality” of the tightly of reality” local - - 41

A Global Conversation do invoked Augustine’s analogue.Still morevs. deeply,Gibson’s novel explicitly bodysuch digital and parallels, onto as “real” its vs. “virtual” thatmind mappedradical divorcebetweenand theCartesian fou a set celebration“theof bodiless exultation cyberspace” of AnglophoneWilliamworld. Gibson’s (1984) Briefly, internet andsurrounding worldthe emerging wide web inthe 1990s early Towith, inbegin t distinctionsemerged these ways. several thetime,same distinctions however,these problematic are in thecontext mediadigital of 2020, ethics (Ess, 11 pp. distinguish between usefully theand digital the analogue in longdebate. a evoked Certainly, have we can s such vis “virtual” as The“digital” vis terms the Binary:Do Beyond What Mean “Digital?” We by v toScandinavianarguments these theology to creation resolve underliecontemporarythey these arguments. Iwill then turn theologicaldualisms, critiquesthese of and how then show material.To thephilosophical explore do so,I first and assumptionsthat toodivorce thesharply spi “analogue”andsuspectespecially theologicalthereby, turnon“digital” vs. questionable regarding assumptions theologyand ecclesiology communion of “virtually” offered as coronaI willcrisis? sh thisto has What do with “digital”the during going the church DigitalEcclesiology ia non - dualisticassumptions. ndationalontological framework philosophical and dualisms

- à

defining much defining theof initial discourse - ow that the arguments surroundingarguments ow the that the - vis “real,” online “real,” vis vis à ctrine of Original Sin,i.e., the ctrineOriginal of Fall, and - vis “analogue” and vis parallels, their

- à - ritualthe from visoffline, etc., he context of of hecontext ometimes - 23). At

(p. 6) 6) (p. world in favor of a putatively higher, purer higher, putatively worlda of spiritual in favor reality. ina issue they philosophy dualismsin Western as especially and Christianity, Anglophonethese discourse. Nietzsche famouslycriticizes injectedthis ancient thereby dualisminto and theology 2009;“post for 2011). Indeed, Søraker, manyargue us of quicklyuponFloridi,blur and diffuse closerinspection (e.g., hard distinctionsdemonstrates thatearly analysis these 2017,society” (Campbell, p. 17). broaderunderstanding in thethe of religious betweenonlinetheir and a how andlives, offline thisinforms Contemporarythusfocus onis actors’ negotiations“religious spheres integrated interaction”of are 1083). (p. completely as seen distinct f Lövheim thatobserved “ Religion” (2011),“Digital authors Heidi Campbelland Mia communitiesvirtual 1995). Similarly,in the(Baym, article interwoven practices, norms, beliefs, etc.,in fact inextricably were toempirical began show research that identities, ouroffline bothas early empirical 1995, grounds.As andtheoretical such Moreover, dualismsalso been largelyrejectedhave on dig inespecially theological and “the debatesconcerning analyses importingdualisticthese most assumptionsviews, and Given thisheritage, weinadvertentlymust6ff.). of bewary consequencefundamentalthese of dualisms p. 6) sexuality consequent Augustine’s and demonization women, body, of ital.” — is a particularlya pernicious, destructive, is

— inGibson’s words, “

with our online engagements, e.g., inso e.g., with engagements, our online contemptusmundi No longer are theonline Noare longer and offline ields of practice, of ields for as manythey contempt for the flesh” (1984,thecontempt flesh” for Lastly, careful philosophicalcareful Lastly, , a ,

contemptthe material for

(Ess, 2011, (Ess, pp. contemporary

but inevitable but inevitable - called - 42

A Global Conversation Philips equivalent. Peter fully (2020)Lutheran notes that some temporarya stop as thepractice “spiritualof revived communion,”seen is but this COVID Anglican,th andof Lutherans, among others. Inthe face traditionsthese seen, include have Roman Orthodox, Catholic, we sacrament2020, ….” As (Garner, emphasis added). p. 56, elementsare Eucharistic priest a elements requires whomthose impossible for “[f]or the Specifically,an online difficultcommunion orsimply is theadministration added). 56,sacraments”of (p. emphasis “digital” communionare the traditions withdifficultythatobserves, have an “online” or TheStephen outlines(2020) Garner clear. As theof debate are onlineof communion. inin display contemporaryfull are the debatesover legitimacy metaphysianalogue”andbinaryaffiliated its surroundingdifficulties the Despite simplea “digital Communion: Online Problem? What’sthe perilous. conceptually is terms problematic and, indeed, theologically Insimpshort, any 2017). (Ess, interwovendistinct withthan one somehow radically another more part thatoften “analogue”far and “digital” are with engagements contemporary technologies, in signaling morea accuratedigital” as characterization ourof DigitalEcclesiology - 19closings,however, some German Lutheran churches

physically le binary or dualistic understanding of these ordualisticbinaryof le understanding

- gap, an alternative that an is alternative gap, noby means

altered inthealtered administration theof

those that attach a “ thosea that attach physical … or [that] those … or[that]

cs,such dualisms physicality

consecrationof - e

… to has explicitlyhas avoided such emphasisadded). InNorway,Churchcontrast, by theLutheran not spiritualthe receptionof sacrament thedespiteof blessing churches Bonaventure’sunderstanding that communionSt. 81).(p. Tan not thenis possible” invokes enacting communionother by means when embodied thinningof danger out capacity “theBodyfor Christ’s of th as parish embodiedthetheof sacramental for life communion and anout anchoring insteadfor conception Iargued in itself. of abstractingof the church“…we therisk face with thinneda movebeyondthat online,dualisms. ingoing these Tan worries communion,”part a suggests Paul John Tan (2020) Matthew in “therethinking ecclesiologyInterestingly, embodiedof elements.physicallyaltered Communionexplicitly is di its thephysical andandthe spiritual, andbetween locala reality reproduction,virtual theoldthus reflect dualisms between thoroughly elements,as blocked transmission fromdigital and Theseemphaseson the physically gital copies gital insomewhere the world.else TheSpiritual heavens and theheavens firmament can not onlydeclarethe structurethesuchof created order, that boththe anindelibleGod’sleft of markhas inpresence the …the

began “…recommending began Spiritual Communion (the e touchstonee 81).the (p. Tan ecclesialof life” sees

creationWord through all things of the Divine

eating/drinkingthe breadand wine)” 73,(p. physicality not

practices.

a physicala of consumption

of theof communion

- ial 43

A Global Conversation shows nonthat wecanfeel think and Theopening examplethe ofabove Contra metaphysicsand theology. Scandinaviannonmore a fully for creation theology I propose an alternative, insteadturn a towardsAs thatquestionable, Ifind not if dangerous. however,thisremainstoo closelyallied with dualism the old enoughmost Formy part, this is for Christians. Perhaps counterparts. paler copieslocally as distinct out andsomehow thinned thereby or intense thesanctified communion toprivilege “the mostas elements continuecommunion. Tan’smetaphysics apparently here But physical, dualismsthat underlieotheronline objections to dualisms otherwise divorcingthethestarker spiritual andthe Thisstretchingand redeployment partly at least go redeployed”(Tan, 2020, 82). p. not is way,“thethe disabledof presenceBody Christ of but inWord the textures Divine and creation;”sinewsof inthis chann intensesacramentalformof diverseacross presence” digital IncarnateWord” inthe breadand “mostthe wine,its as from“the sacramentalBody theChrist” of of presence Tanspeculates “stretchthat thetheof presence wecan thus DigitalEcclesiology els, as themselves embodying themselves “thethe of as presence els, (T God,of glory but God’s heraldtheof presence word Dualism: Scandinavian Creation Scandinavian Theology Dualism: form of sacramentalformof vis presence,” an,2020, 81). p.

- mentioned - dualisticallyabout the

- à - vis their vis digital puja puja

beyond - ritual dualistic s movetowards mo metaphysicsit possible Is andseen. we theology, have as to mechanics, dualism Western remainsdeeplyrooted in distant copies,andquantum despiteadvent theof soon. But spiritual vis the phrase “creationthetraditionsphrase these theology” signals, move 2017), 2017).(Põder, (Uggla, and Wingren Gustaf Knud are Eiler 2017),Løgstrup (Gregersen, theologian Danish N .F.S.Grundtvig. The here figures primary interpreted and as expanded the 19 by heritage Scandinaviandrawson creation the Lutheran theology count sanctifieda onlyandHost portrayed analogue digitally its dothey thenototherwise dividebetweensharp simplyerase, distant copies, digital if soften, metaphysics SCT and theology habitationfull of specific a andstatue in number both any throughout present the“material” creation.Gane Like panformof stretched outin presencedistant approachesSCT analogues, a inthethe“thick” Eucharistthin a theof Divine or presence vs. time, thesameAt anddemonizationcorrelative women, sexuality. body, of and directlycounters anAugustinian especially Incarnation)It thereby but themore created of order broadly. resonancewith emphase emphasizesthenot goodnessof onlythe bodyin (i.e., all, of First ScandinavianSCT (SCT). creation theology “yes,” In themyis view, answer way specificallyby of Christian Western traditions? erparts inworshipper’s a home. erparts - - à en - vis the material, theclose originalvis - theism, an affirmationthe ofDivine fully as re non re contra contra - s on s the importancetheof dualistic assumptions dualistic Tan’songoing distin

Regin P Regin contemptus mundi contemptus ction between within th -

Broadly, as Broadly,as century renter - à - vis the vis

sha’s sha’s

44

A Global Conversation thebasic goodnessintrinsic to sta their moreoptimistic humanof retaining as understanding beings doctrine Sin.this Grundtvigdoctrinerevises Original of with a aLuther retains everydaylife, goodnessof commitment to the I objectwhile to. Again, Lut divineconsciousness thus promisesdualisms to overcome the Thisinextricable andentanglement between dust, spirit, entanglementGod,of h creation, and oppositionsthe inextricable Grundtvigaffirms elsewhere, al., 2017,28). p. morehuman thanfoil for mere a redemption” “has itself Creation God”of createdbeing inandthe image likeness (p. 25). that insists “humanlost thepositivetraces never beings of with Luther’sadherence Sin,N. F.S.Grundtvig to Original creation” life onecalledin God’san toeveryday world live grand of onLuther’stheology creation,alsoof is in which“a Christian al., 2017, et (Gregersen p. 17). endorses thenatural Specifically, createddenigrate ororders. SCT inimportant beyonddualisms ways thatprevailing instead DigitalEcclesiology al., 2017, et 408,Gregersen p. cited 27). in common1907, (Grundtvig, divineconsciousness p. andspirit dust caninterpenetrateand bec divineexperiment,a as generations which how reveals through thousanda developthemselves and clarify whomknown, makethemselves shall divinepowers Humankindunique,a is wonderful[…] creationin

(Gr a “nona egersen et al., 2017, et egersen p. 25).

- Contra binary view of theof secularview binary

anindependent andvalue meaning, and is

their dualistic understandings and dualistictheir understandings heran approaches endorsethe heranapproaches

This non This umankind: tus as the image of the image tusas - dualism draws in part dualismdraws

In contrast, however, Incontrast, - sacred distinction”sacred

(Gregersen et (Gregersen

larified in a larified

The thereb and,both morea optimistic understanding beings human of and Hindua fallenness orBuddhist non somewherebetween the Lutheran human of conception God.thusanSCT anthropology endorses Stateddifferently, and the very creationwith anditself, well the very tothe demonization o Christianespecially clear, Nietzsche makes dualismsled have largera emphasisembodiment part of on as non deepsustaining theological commitmentsand to incarnation I withfromthe home” separate the sanctuary943).as (p. Here, Christians thanwhoWestern for the tendsacred to affiliate internet outcarried intheplace home taking through toan one that andI suggested In2007 my R Concluding in one fully elementas and placeanother. as and inscreens digital believers’is homes; theDivine present consecrated priest a by an“embodied both communion”the elements within arises entangledwith sacred a across one another dust,particular,spirit, and divineconsciousnessas are thewhethermaterial In order, “secular”religious. or attitudesof morestill regardinga positiveset all elements of o replicas sacred fully still assumptionsexamplethebut ofdigital,we saw in the opening furthereven thus SCT withresonates the underlying alsomore is wholeheartedly latter endorsed. Inways, these

extend this suggestion. extendthissuggestion. y, their relationshiptheir y, to nature/creationa wherethe - connectedstep in theeasier home PC maythus bean colleagues emarks

“ Thea from shift f body, f and women, sexuality, thereby Akira Kawabata Akira and Kurosaki Hiroyuki and I emphasizetheimportance of f Ganesha, therebyf pointing towards

in its copiesinits oranalogueson - knownand catastrophic puja - dualism. The upshot The is dualism.

ritual already - material creation,

- dualism. As As dualism. 45

A Global Conversation Campbell,andH. Lövheim, Studyingthe online M. (2011). theoreticalCampbell, (2017).wiH. approaches Surveying Baym,N. (1995). ethics, andvirtue mediareligion, existential studies. media withstudies, emphasesonethics, digital research ethics,comparative andphilosophyandstudies, religious theacross intersections philosophy,of computing, applied Media andCommunication, Univers Ess CharlesM. placeembodied thereinas beings. material creationfully a of goodnessand sacredness and our wemust all themore comethe former convinced of out the of we are In if mycrisis. view, to the adequately address lat humanity for crisis and the creation dualisms. Forbeyond COVID coerce inus theless direction theseof newof versions ancient vs.digital characterizingas analoguthese allowingnew media consequencesHence,these. I am of all of deeplywary for DigitalEcclesiology offline connectionoffline online.religion in 24. studies. religion digital community Computer CyberSociety: mediatedG.communication. Jones (Ed.), InS.

is Professor in Media Studies, Professor is Departmentof

Thecommunityof emergence incomputer (pp. 138

— more precisely, our casual ways of ourmore casual precisely, ways – 163). NewYork: Sage. So - New Media 19New Media Society, & 19 there looms a still greater 19loomsthere greater still a - urces mediatedcommunication and

— ity of Oslo. He works He Oslo. of ity namely, the climate namely, e Information, Information, — to nudge, much tonudge,

(1), (1), 15 ter, ter, thin - - - Campbell,(2020)H. Floridi, L.ontology.(2009). digital Against Ess, (2020).C. Ess, (2017).C. Ess, (2011).C. Ess,

C., C., distanced church: church Reflections doing distanced on online doi:10.1080/1369118X.2011.597416. & SocietyCommunication 178. doi:10.1007/s11229 6101.2007.003 Communication, communication. on andreligion perspectives computer PolityPress. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.50. communication of encyclopedia andcritical studies 3 virtualContemporary worlds: Trustperspectives and mediatized worlds.(Eds.), and Ess M. Thorseth In C. 1. https://oaktrust.library Publications. from Retrieved 3 - - Kawabata,

30). New York: Peter Lang. 30). NewYork: Peter [EPub College 6) Station,version]. TX: Digital Digital mediaethics Digital medi Digital community, Self, and ethics in digital

A., and A., Introduction. InCampbellH. (Ed.), 57.x

Journal of Computer of Journal 12 . (3), 939 (3),

Kurosaki, Kurosaki, a ethics. Clouda (Ed.), InD. .tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/18789 -

008 1 – 4 955.

(8), 1083 (8), (Third ed). (Thirded). Cambridge, UK: - H. (2007).H. 9334 doi:10.1111/j.1083 - 6. Synthese, -

- Mediated 1096. - mediated Cross -

168,151 cultural

Oxford Oxford The .

- (pp. (pp. – 46

A Global Conversation communication. Personal Lundby, initial. (year). first Jacobs,The Virtuallysacred: performance S. (2007). of Børnelærdom Grundtvig,N. F.S.(1907).christelige Den N.H., Gregersen, Uggla,B. K.,and Wyller, N.H. Gregersen (2017). E. K. Løgstrupand Scandinavian Gibson, (1984).W. DigitalEcclesiology doi:10.1111/j.1083 Computer asynchronouscyber GyldendalskeBoghandel. Writings] Selected Udvalgte GrudntvigsGrundtvigs Skrifter F.S. V [N. (Ed.), InBegtrup [RudimentsH. Christianity]. of Göttingen,Ruprecht. Vandenhoeck& DE: of Scandinaviancre future post andT. Wyller(Eds.), Uggla, Scandinavian creation theology. ReconfiguringReformation theology:The programof VandenhoeckDE: Ruprecht. & creation theology Scandinavian Løgstrup, the Prenter,age: futureWingren, and of Wyller (Eds.), creationtheology. - secular age: Løgstrup, secular the Prenter,Wingren, and - MediatedCommunication

Neuromancer Reformation theologyReformation for post a

(p In Gregersen N. H. - 6101.2007.00365.x - rituals inrituals online spaces. p. 376

ationtheology - . NewYork: Books.Ace Reformation theologyReformation for a 737). Copenhagen,DK:

(pp. 37 In N. H. Gregersen, In Gregersen, N. H. B. K. T. (2017).

, B., K.Uggla, and T. 12 - .

(3), 1103 (3), 66). Göttingen,

(pp. 11

Journal of of Journal -

secular

N .F.N S. - – 34). 1121.

Põder, C. S C. Põder, B.K. Uggla, and(2017).Scandinavian Wingren Gustaf creation Tan,M. J. (2020) J. Søraker, (2011). H. [Televisionbroadcast]. BBC. Stedall, J. (1977). Scandinavian creation theology Scandinavian the Prenter, Løgstrup, futureWingren, and of T. (Eds.), theology. DE: VandenhoeckDE: Ruprecht. & creation theology Scandinavian the Prenter, Løgstrup, futureWingren, and of T. (Eds.), theology. from electronically Onlin Church Doing Campbell,H.A.. Lang. perspectives Contemporary andEss M. Thorseth (Eds.), definitions Suggested andreality: and C. taxonomy. In VandenhoeckDE: Ruprecht. &

-

http V. (2017).Prenter Regin and Scandinavian creation Reformation theology for a a theologyReformation for post Reformation theology for a a theologyReformation for post

In N. H. Gregersen, B.K. In Gregersen, N. H. In N. H. Gregersen, B.K. Uggla, and T. Wyller,In Gregersen, N. H. :

Community In Body Christ, of in the Digital / The long search: search: long The

/hdl Virtualenvironments, entities, worlds The Distanced Church: Reflections Distanced The on

.handle e. (pp. 81e.

.net

Trust and virtual worlds: Trust and (pp. 44 - Episode2, Hinduism 83).

/1969

(pp. 91 (pp. 67

Available Available Uggla, andT. Wyller, - 7

.1 2). New York: Peter New2). York: Peter

- - /187891 111). Göttingen, 89). Göttingen, - - secularage: secularage: .

47

A Global Conversation peoplethe world, all over comparability its to the present While thelockdown. to leave gradually after desirable worstmorea case,orless vision. narrativesa these entailvisionfor All a worlda toafter come gooseflesh gl 2011, Soderbergh’s Steven notpossiblea option little as moreA inrecently, anymore. whichfuture, strike helpedmight have peoplenuclear a to see gloomy, nucleardark, a visionand war. Itis desperate a of what andEdward Hume’s thethe world worstfor In case. 1983 after Meyer’s Nicholas worst Filmmakers have and writers DigitalEcclesiology The Vision After. ImpulsesAfter. Vision Theological The for a Agenda for the of the coronacrisis. the of c visionon discourse the andpurpose thedogmatic of will arguefavoressay This in diverse andhumblyof a obal pandemiccontagious highly a of virus hurch to theto hurch upcoming face socialanddigital challenges ”

a world,a would specificallyKansas, li look -

is a longa is va providescenariosimaginable.case even Many visiona - inducingto parallels what happening now. is right Church After Church ccinationprogramthat allowspeople c

oronavirus has beenoronavirushas very badmany for The Day After Day The

FlorianH Contagion doneverya good injob making the Corona the Crisis - 8

-

öhne

showed cinemaaudiences

outlinedof thestory

Contagion’s — The Day After Day The with with ke after a after ke

“ day

now: they provide a vision of the nearer future, a “promise”a now:future, theprovidevisionof nearer they a discussionsand sermonsand in right Christian meditations somethingin manymissing that theological is andecclesial wa and practical theologianIt(2020)Menzel Kerstin emphasized. has nodidwere notpublic as mean thattheservices, there worship for togather the partiallockdown, During allowedcongregationsnot were withLetme start personala observationfromGermany. perspective. richcountry, specific hence, andcontextual froma very academict ideas how for suggest to andebate them.soas Iamdoing reasons project.askingtoI am going for give them and becauseI think thatthem answering should collaborative bea I am not toquestions these answer going this essay, here disappointedfromTobeing the reader prevent about. promiseinmeaningfula way?toThat whattalk is weneed Howandcan particularlytalk Christians preachers interpretation meaningfullook religious theof future like? to put Or crisis? liberal theology: ininof terms God’s is What promiseHer terms: for church in the COVID canlike?What we hope Tofor? put wouldfutureinformed thetheologically visionofnearer a look optimistic naively and misinformed. thus theologically debatable highly way,one toothat’s either gloomy ortoo about whatto co is nt to argue in this essay thatmoviesand these books inntthis essay toargue do Contagion

heologian in a Germany, as heologian

is limited is and debatable. thisin mind, Keeping I me. Of course, thoseme. moviesdo Of soin a

servicesin churchtheir This buildings. it in strong dogmatic dogmatic it instrong W hite protestant ina What at

theend of about this

cana What - 19

48

A Global Conversation andMoltmann the early Israel of theChristians story narrates thought:theproblem theof future uponit and humanwhichit inon turn andforces mankind on problem forces theology, inwhich Christian object own its therefore“There is theology thisissue: onlyof one real morethan Jürgen Moltmann’s nation.” willyou makeof great a concretepromiseworlda of you(Gen will blessing.” a be nation,and you, I willand bless makeyour said Takethe reality. withdivinepresence concretea sociala visionof andmaterial verybold are in connecting Go torelated the social andTestamentOld material reality? texts notof alone, being feelingfeeling a energy?of it somehow Is doesthemake divinepresenceinfuture? Is the near it a it itself, Taken for promisea God. And thatit is involves thisworld world not(and different topromisea acome).for bewith you.” futureThat’spromisethe a near for clearly of God’sof “No presence: listeners theirmatter what, Godwill under lockdown life hacks” for conditions, many othe offer seen helpful those of adviceManycrisis? Ihave and “life do answers offer they religious to the present devotion this of publiceffect side A sphere. meantdigital that and turned parishioners preachers tothe DigitalEcclesiology

topromised have Abram s

have become available for further scrutiny.become What have further for available footnotescouldtell c alling of Abram as example, Abramof as alling whereGod is remainsa promise. differenceWhat vague

Theology of Hope Theology . l y, social, and material reality: “I social, y, andmaterial reality:

12 ,

“I will make of you a great “Iwill you makeof great a promiseof d’s and the promise — : 2, NRSV) That is a very 2,That NRSV) very a is

is an attempt toremindan attempt is

is that is sermonsand ” (Moltmann, 1967,p.” (Moltmann, 16)

— toI owe whose work name great, sothat namegreat, c oronavirus rs assure rs .

- promise now?right doWhat To itmore concretely: put (Moltmann, But1967, whatthe the contentof p. is 21). “thevery promisewaspromisethisandworlda for is stor as from gathering physically for fromgathering worship whilea for and find so theingoodthis world of life towardsand the survival an effort contagion.of thevision risk theincreasing future If entailed violatingstate whereitis even law and endangeringby lives thisworld,to cele makesense it would important andthesocial visionthan for wellbeingsurvival in aboutmorewere theworldlythe supposed If future. afterlife presumethatimplies eachdifferenta already answer vision acceptinglimitingthe state religi Otherslives. criticized and churchtoosave for leaders willingly Sunday as the abstinence justified worship becausepracticalmakea they Take the difference. debateon questionsneed to agenda, beon andthe theological ecclesial theologically, ecclesiologically, and societally. But these tough Thesequeare horizontheof envisioned future? mourning?Andcommunities’ what inChristian the task is andpandemicexpect a during causes lives that costs c envisionmateria a Christians rising are due torates the reasons have toChristians hope when for unemployment orona pandemic? What kind of divine presence can Christians oronaChristians pandemic? kindcan What divinepresence of - called “risk groups,” itwouldgroups,” called “risk makemore ies

services in Germany as services

earth onearth which [Christ’s] his of divinepromise.of emphasizes He

services in churches inservices to order the“flatten curve” stions and they are not easy tonot stionsand dealwith are they easy from c orona l andafter social reality the

physical religious gatheringsphysical such religious example:Some theologians ousplausiblefreedom. Itis to

lockdown?How can

cros brate the Eucharist theEucharist brate s stands” s , theidea sense to sense refrain a promisea for that this 49

A Global Conversation humanresponsibility, the shapeandtheof coming tosubject human is future planning, toand action, human doesnot meanabout talking Distinction#1:Talkingabout the visionof future Christian a whichcriteria, theologically are decisive. twosystematic suggest and debating in helpssuchWhat clarifying vision?a I want to spendlimitedthese resources. aboutclear tovisionwould a determine onhelp what to ecclesial institutions toBeing available do have work. their whichthe amountand alsocommunities effects resources of that the spendmoney socialalready Iton is justice. fostering hopetomore socialfor in sense this world, justice it will make community Christian Fora thatfaith finds futu worldlyall themore visions important.theof The horizon whichtheologicallya makes on informedthis discourse tocommunitiespertains Christian institutions,and ecclesial courseactionsof in Thisspecific a and also situational horizon. to Gadamer’s work. reference Peoplemakesense Moltmannp (1967, thehorizon in whichouractions present makesense. God’svisionof A withfuture soimportant is us becauseit is made explicitare debated. and are mypoint is here vision latter worshippingotherof ways I would While together. the argue DigitalEcclesiology re determineswhat re todo on. andspend money what to c oron is

avirus crisis crisis avirus moretheologically adequate than the former, ,

a discourseneededa is inwhich vis those

p . 190f.)emphasizedhas thiswith . - theological distinctionstwo and has the kingdom of God. While the While God.of thekingdom le

d

toan economic recession,

- based reasons to based reasons oftheir k ingdomof evident - ions notiontheof as reminderthisdistinction of serves betweenthethe intended, realized, good and the intangible TorstenMeireis’ Godin God’sandis beyond hands control. only human people’scritique and perspective common Consciousvisions. other myownof I need fallibility, whydiscoursa couldfallibility reason becalled one humility. dogmatic is That divineauthority orperfection. Thethisof consciousness consideredethically visionsfallible as human always intended. are visions and Our must be particularlyinmight goodness,theirthey notgoo beas becauseconcernthey buttrue, and the future might not come in These thispresent very reality. is are visions notfallible only whatcommunitiesto the andChristian roleplay, are how God during freedomin Her themfromGod’s realizationandpeace,of perfect justice, andprojects Distinction human#2:All visions andresponsibility 261). tosubject that humanthevision of future is A planning not is visions intendedthese the to realize biblicaltheof stories thepenultimatemight Thesevisions by beinspired 261). (p. goodsinwhichand for for worth possible to are striving strive hopingthiskingdom,of sketch visions for Christians intended humancontrol bonum summum

and after the andafter ,

k are fallible. That is precisely what fallible. Thatprecisely distinguishesare is ingdom of God refers to the greatestGod of ingdomrefers good, the e is needed to clarify these visions and visions neededthese is toe clarify to find and knowledge (p. 261).in(p. and and Believing knowledge k s ingdom.howof sketch visions We future a ultimate, Bonhoeffer’s , that l

— (2008,pp. 259 that is what we need to talk about. whatthattalk is weneedto c k oronaviruspandemic i ngdombut actingin the horizon – ,

263)helpful distinct as as even more.even well as all humanwell as plans . —

A ccordingthe to him, they never come never they with k might ingdomGodof (p.

ie s beyond s

lo ok like, oklike, ion

d as das o f 50

A Global Conversation vision. todiscussthis very Thisthought basic parallels to acknowledges is s advantaged the least upon.good One waythattothe vision offuture a ensure voiceinthe discourse acknowledged,should own they their tobeempowered raise vision. Thepers and inclusive thediscourse diverse wasthat the produced theological adequacyhowcertaina of vision depends on #2:Secondly, Criterion and tocloselyrelated criterion #1, the way. parti adequatewilltofuture the dovision have of near justice thosewho theologically lost loved onesin A the crisis. thoseof who theof crisis; lostmentalcrisis; their healthin the income,their job, their materialtheir existence for thebasis in advantaged.theof least those for rights Of instance, who lost the andafter thismeans nottheheuristic devalue criterion. Inthe current situation, becontestable,are off who theworst exactly course, it will toOf does advantaged. justice the least always theologicalhowit adequacyvisiondepends future a onof far me’”(Mt whothese of members myfamily, of least are you didthem,answer as it to ‘Truly oneI tellyou,just theof “ commonbiblicalpoint thiscriterion the for is reference optioncriterionthe preferential is #1:In Criterion DigitalEcclesiology j udgmenttheof

cularlyto them .

25:40, AccordingNRSV). to thiscriterion, the a

theologicallyadequate thevisionof future c orona P pective of the worst off shouldthe pectiveof worstbe off not only rotestant theological ethics,reappearing a n ations” inMatthew“Andwill the king 25:

—

p — of course, in a fallible andinfallible a imperfect course, of andemic musttheandandemicneeds include and it should be heard and acted beheardandand acted it should

of the least advantaged.theof least A it downwith them — youdid it to butdoes this during

productionwhichordained few visionby a of church leaders, c oneach perspective Christian, and every Christian’s the theSpirit Holy givesspiritual If giftsto each and every teachings on Christian the common believers. priesthood all of well as thewell organizationas of policiesmore just and as the political poverty against fight commitmentincludes to thehomeless distributionshelters food.of Political counseling offer online Christians offline well as as includes engagement all theimportant help caritative communities Christian Socialonand churches the agenda. importantpoliticalthe tosocial have of and engagement celebratingof the Eucharist.digitalized ways toandtalk think about devotion,digital worship, digital or involved innetworks.digital still are Toit is besure, important widensthescopehow churchesfor communities Christian and during thisvisionthealso provideshorizon actionthought for and societiesas visionfor theChristian the well whole as world, 2004, (Mudge, p “TowardsJust,a Participatoryand Sust Christiana outcomeclarifying vision. One wasthe program andprocessparticipatory, discursive diverse, globally of theof ecumenical insuch a thatengaged has movement doesWhat all thi process. networkeda needs fabrication andvisionitself a of diverse thento is becommunicated ommonvisionoutmatters. This rules theauthoritative

and after the andafter

tomutualnetworkdigital fromfor groups support, p s mean s concretely?example look Let’s at the . 290 c oronavirus crisis. S oronaviruscrisis. ,

– for example for 29 inkeya socialis feature If justice 1). a politicala discourse,on fromthe ,

ecclesial statementsfor top down. The down. The top ainable Society” (JPSS) (JPSS) ainableSociety” — uchhorizona also from(pastoral) Butequally itis c hurch 51

A Global Conversation Meireis Moltmann, J. (1967). responsibility.of interests ministerto researchthe Lutheran His Church Bavaria. of isBerlin. He Theologyan ordained at Humboldt University Systematic for Theology and the BerlinInstitute Public for Höhne Dr.Florian little morehope needed, hopefully is Thatone whya that “visiona after” is Thatcommonwhya the is quest for soimportant. visionis the credibility” latteronly “street if former has takes place. dependent are political justice on for fight thesermonthis belongstogether: on and justice the church’s horizon intheIn suchjustice future. of the very vision,a all of sensethis makes of All in the horizon morevisionof a of off. callingit to provisio socialand welfare justice by responsibilityto hold responsible(Bonhoeffer) the state responsibilityinalsopolitical theircivil society. Itis c DigitalEcclesiology onventionsinstance. for only do Churches have not

s fulfill Umbruch Ethikim der Trans.). i , T., (2008). mplications of a Christian of a mplications ociety

includetheology,digital public theology ment:Protestant ]

. London: - Tübingen, DE:

inspired thanthe visionof

is a researchera andis teacher atthe Tätigkeit und Erfüllung. Erfüllung. und Tätigkeit Protestantische

Theology of Theology SCM Press LTD. Press SCM Sources

Arbeitsgesellschaft e MohrSiebeck. thics thics

h e ope. On the On ope. schatology

i n t

he he

c each other. Theeach other. The Day The hange hange

n for the nfor worst

(J. W. Leitch, W. (J. g roundandthe

[Actionand ,

and ethics and o f

After I t nstitute he he l . abor

Menzel, K. (2020).Menzel, Publications m and Oduyoye A. G.(Eds.), Tsetsis L.Mudge, ovement ovement service service now are makingit public: [We happensWhat mitweiter demGottessdienst https://zeitzeichen.net/node/8310 Onlineausgabe KommentarezuReligion und Gesellschaft,

S. (2004). 3:

1968 afterthe lockdown?] Wir machen es jetzt öffentlich.machen W jetzt Wir es - 2000 Ecumenical social thought . Retrieved from. Retrieved

(pp. 279 - A 321) h . istory istory of Z

nach dem Lockdownnach dem eitzeichen. Evangelische eitzeichen.Evangelische .

Geneva, CH: CH: Geneva, .

e cumenical . In

J. Briggs, M. Briggs, J. ie geht es es geht ie WCC WCC tochurch 52

A Global Conversation society,beenaspectsof has disrupted. the entertainment businesses, industry,and, indeed, all coronaviruspande Unfortunately,notthat is thecase.In thethe wakeof and time howshould impact not the functions. church 15:19,such, inchanges place As New Version). International thechurch believe “In is the word, (John the world” of but not occurringchanges around wan the world. we’d Ordinarily, The church tocultural beenimmune the socialnot has and DigitalEcclesiology church. presence,space, andperformance in reimagine the virtual anddecentering of God’s centering presence, as we in “electr the Worshipping Reimagining Place and Reimagining in Presence Virtual Church: the Community and Spiritual Connection Community the in Digital Era not2013,Him at all”(Tozer, worshipping p. 27). youworshippedperhapsyou are before, day him the noyou are If our sanctuary withcarry never We us. We leave it.[…] andnotyou have bit inthe hindered least worship. his from Christian a Keep the churchentering sanctuary

mic, the church, along with mic, schools, thealong church,

t worshipping as God morning, on Monday Bala A. Musa BalaA. onic temple” can be both onic canbe temple” both - 9

-

t to

decline,some demise,of while even of becoming the best Justinthe COVID business, like toworshipping if indistance disguise, at aall? blessing a church’smission the transiti is and way Inexistence. what weexamine the implications Here, such onfor disruption the constitutivesome helpsits toof in clarify forms this discourse: Theterm“church” So,it in multiple used here is connotations. howto weGodto relate one another? and informour worshippers, what others. As timesfor theological insights 4. 3. 2. 1.

last, butlast, interactingthrough and significantly being virtual or electronic The church, placeand incommunity,given time. a existing oftenorganized, local, an identifiable interactive as spiritualas a community,church The present of cultural norms.thiswe mean By theunityand oneness denomination,liturgical tradition,and nationality, around consistsall believers of the world, of regardless globalas a entitychurch The anduniversal International Version). 12:1,who(Heb. before gone22, have New consistsbeliever of to refers likewisethe spiritualHebrews assemblythat 3:15, TheNewof Version). International writer thewhole God,of family in and heaven on (Eph. earth timethisasof andThe eternity. Apostle speaks Paul spiritualas a enti church The understanding of changes in place and presence inunderstanding inchanges of place and presence - day believersday worldwide. s who s alive are today and those

- 19lockdown spelled thehas ty

that existsone as in

asan extensionthe of

yet physical yet

that

ly ly on

53

A Global Conversation did not In liberty Version). Egypt, theIsraelites have as to live priesthood” (Exodus19:5 nation,chosen a royal a peculiara generation, people, wantedI wasin Egypt, itcould He “nation.” a identity not as its have churchthecalled are The and essence, mission in today’s context. thetheological understandingsof but together, inisolation, examines until Thisnow. discourse tocollectively re thisnew environment. not has Thebody had whole Christ of participatein vir theotherto hand, individuals means lackingthe tools and now withare experience.similar a ableto everybody enjoy On whoin the same notcould services church experience location inclusive, connotemanymorethings. In becomesome ithas ways, Churchand attendanceforms come has different taken has to shut downhave real to the COVID Due interwoven attention toare in willways which alsobegiven all theforms manifestations.theon focus While is the church, virtual andtheof church essence existence these across weexamine the natureplace of Here, and presence inthe DigitalEcclesiology ecclesia cybermedia. influencedcommunication by a technology srael, anda nowas srael, itself “holy theto church, see

whilein so.some Shut instances, less andinteractive.

is, above all, a community.aboveall, a is, theof Members tual worshipexcluded mayfind themselves in - examine its theologyworshippingexamineof its - 19pandemic, many local congregations

- - time physical gathering for weeks for time physicalnow. gathering out ones. God knew that as long as Israel Israel as outknew long ones.that God as - 6; I Peter 2:9, New6; InternationalI Peter

thechurch’s identity,

- ins andins others nd God’speople. what the Itis chu marks Version thatmayworship they me” (Exodus 8:20b,New International owntheir Godmasters. tosaidso go, Pharaoh, “Let mypeople chosethey orworship Nevertheless, it has in resulted theNevertheless, instantaneous and rapid manycongregations, it wasnot intentio forced churchesto more virtual quickly go For than expected. Thegatheringspandemic and restrictionshave on its large discussion. impact,outside is theandpurviewthis positive of negative, oftenintentional, and voluntar strategic, can thatis besaidadoption its integration into and worship complement, extend,and enrichIt the worship experience. Ahmadu,served has toin2012). Technology, general, and pass believers, communicatingmeanspropagatingtheof gospel, among thechurch adoptera beennewas has of an early technology and incorporate integrate, it into Throughout history, worship. permeated culture,thechurch to beenadopt, has quick new entirely phenomenon. new media As technology technologyinworship, roletheirsignificant a not plays is an of gathering believers, universal wherenew and social media thatbeen church, observed thevirtual It's the local and COVID when, andwe worshiphow inmatters the pre the pandemic, traffic, thatthisreason where,etc.for Itis beit climatenonbelievers, as things samechange, inflation, distinctexperienceothers. from Beyondthat, believers the - 19pandemic era. ). Worship of Yahwehof Worship characteristic). the essential is of

ing on traditioning 2014;its (Musa, & Musa GodTheynotwere wanted. they as

rch as a communitya as rch nal or voluntary. orvoluntary. nal y. The scope of its of They. scope -

andpost

has - 54

A Global Conversation Thus,the concretesenses. elementsplace,of symbols, and and made blood flesh beings, of and operating w 2016). (Inge, GodSpirit,human butworshippers is are His that in placeJerusalem.worship of Thatmattered suggests thetemple, both in theand wilderness the temple to wentlengths specify to great worship tent for andwouldHe He them meet there. with tocontext worship. of Israelites commanded God build the a Thatthe notwithstanding,place mattered always inhas andin trut that “God andspirit, worshippers his inis mustspirit worship worship.background this against statement Itis that Jesus’s than rather the physical placeChrist, wherewe gather in often acknowledge thatBelievers “thechurch” the body is of Church Virtual as The Place together.” meanstocommunity, bea remainconnected, and “worship wholeinfoundnew a place,to itself what having reimagine it their thethe churcnew Whatever experiences, reality. adaptingchallenges technologicalfaced greater to resources worshippingdistance.with at a Congregations fewer faster, and placeansmoother easier, for transition to technology. streaming Such duringworship through webbroadcast, or narrowcast, had congregationsthatsatellite often already linked were inthe technologically West, industrialized advanced and the changethanfor others. Somemega meeting environment.invirtual a Somemorewere prepared littleno or andchoice itcame distancingtowhen social proliferationthe church.of virtual with left were Churches DigitalEcclesiology

h” (John 4:24, New International Version) is central.h” (Johnis New Version) International 4:24,

congregations hadin the system congregations

the details of thetheof designdetails of - churches, particularly churches,particularly ith natural ith h as a has of worship,of that place is God While people His expects to “meet” theplacewith Him at when itcomestoHim. worshipping direction,givesthemrituals specific reference, and anchors andsocial Thus,the spaceand distance.the needto rethink spaceand distance, if inwhom presence? SpiritualHis dwells, realize He to fully it anopportunity oris God,Houseof the real for the believer GodHouseof physicala locationas worship, tothreata true worshippersc 2007). inphysicala place The(Krüger, question how is, do whenthisday worshipsaid He to is bein ratherthe spirit, than the Gaia principle,Using it can that saidit beforesaw Jesus and“electr entertainment,dating, etc., findthe medium would virtual peopleonlinewhoeducation, business, for met socialit wasonly matter a time Therefore, activities. before whereall transactionssquare, place. take the arenaIt is all for becomingtent,the electronic tabernacle, piazza, fast economic, is functionsandmedia well.cultural as Social withtime,God. spiritual, social,thetemple served In hadplaced namemeet and His wheretheto people came TheJerusalem temple wa God.of presence NewInternational then, The the Version). place worshipof is, in together myname, amthere I with them” 18:20, (Matt. “For whereThattwo why scripturesays, is orthree come onicworship. placefor totemple” gather natural a onceivethisplace?of movea awayfrom Is the

such exist, are different from are such exist, physical notto restricted only one location. s the gathering place, whereGodthe gathering s

and city and

55

A Global Conversation centripetal.the focus Theis and leader the organization is Thestructuretheof brick theby number reachedsoulsbeing of and discipled. attendspecifica worship servic theof cathedralnot thesize the ornumber by peopleof that congregation.bea Churchgrowth will needto bemeasured timechurchesbeing, willto what reimagine have itmeansto house.the newIf n church.to met fromhouse that Itwassaid thebelievers housechurches. early Thisadopted wasmodel also a the by communitytrue rediscovering promotingby andsmall groups technologicallyare developing and less advanced countries, relational connection.churches,i Some particularly those social distances?to emotional way andis strengthen One maintaincommunityof andsense a 10:25a,churches HowNew Version). International do virtual upto “not commands believers give NewInternational Hebrews of the Likewise,writer Version). notedin onethatall together were2:1b, place” “they (Acts worshipCollective wasimportant Itis believers. tothe early expected toWorshipis be inand us amongpeople.amongto lives live His us. He chosenwithindividually. to insteadrelate chose He everyone worshipto the peopleis bring Godtogether. have could ha Even fromthe callAbraham,been of toGod’s intentionhad Church Virtual as The People context. conceptionsworshipnewof space andin experiencethe DigitalEcclesiology ve a peopleown.a His of ve Theplacea purpose of having of

ormal is to avoid large gatherings for thegatherings ormalfor to avoid is large - and bothindividual and alsocollective.

- mortarorganization is e. Ite. willto bemeasured have koinonia meetingtogether” (Heb.

in the age of inthe age

n makethandisciples, alonerather the leader thebeing center connection.occursmembers Discipleshipmultiplication when networked church,of emphasis on with nodes multiple a focus Itis toward the people. to designed becentrifugal. Itis hierarchical. The churchvirtual t reorienting for makes towardHim, to ourincrease awe profane.The Godof presence meant is to turn our hearts distinguishwas tobetween help theIsraelites sacred and the templeinwell the city,theas elaborateoftemple, rituals the need of f Part amorphous1807, (Hegel, 1967). 2018; Ellul, omnipresent,cancontradiction) orHe becoming bedeadby (a orplace. In the God virtual, being by can beGod truly being. Inthingothera words, God to down cannot bepinned whensaw heGod but“there”not as as existing is nowhere? He everywhere, Tillichspecter (1973) this raised andcourts to His with enter thanksgiving; Ifpraise?” God is church,courtsit meanhis towithwhat “Enter does carry “We our sanctuary says, theLord?”the questionanswers Tozer(2013) well when he without before place worship,of anactual do how we “come God Godrestricted. is omnipresent. is may wonder, We inchu conceive worship,worshipof whatorbelievers place as takes the physicallong as spaceremains As Version). the focus of coverthe waters as glory the sea 11:9, (Isa. New International GodHis of intends thatwith befilled theearth the knowledge Church Virtual as The Presence attentioof rch on Sundays, Saturdays, and Saturdays, duringweekdayservices, rchon Sundays, n and the driving engine of churchof nengine and the driving ministry. or a tabernacleora in theand wilderness a

with 27). Inus” (p. the digital

of Him,of and to closer to feel

theground of

he 56

A Global Conversation worship. the meansreimagining without of the purpose sacrificing community.of the sense strengthening doneThis by can be worshippingdistanceat a worshipperscanof the beintentional benefits harness and Thoughbeenhas thrust upon the change the church, worship,of than rather meansdrawing aof closer to God. wo Thesomeof toward resistance in adopting new technology thehowchallenge is to God keep at thecenterworship. of morenot neutral,people.is that entirely technology Knowing towhereopportunitythe peoplecreating It reach is are. to the newis public onlinethechurchsquare, tak is people TheIf His God are. of presence cyberspacewherever is 2016; 2018).(Inge, Warren, encounters,wasemphasizing place of He the value in worship Godaski churchpeople,In as can presence then beeverywhere. His fromGod’sreleased is presence theto “church” the place a as thanmore consciousness. cognitiveis a lived awareness a If andnorGod’sus confess forsake it us, promiseleave to never andthat acknowled Godwith always is believers us. While that init recognizes wealways the presence if that gap God,of dichotomy.bridge Theto churchvirtual anhas opportunity culturebeenhas the emphasis on the secular/sacred thetoof challenges sacred.One timesare all timesin all places.places, Italsomeansand allthings, peopleat presence canHis of continued a maintain awareness it would GodHim. everywhere, If meanis consciousness His DigitalEcclesiology rship is that the potentialis rship ithas (idol) to thebecomeobject ng people ng toat sites build divineof alters memorial

while keeping God at the centerandwhile God keeping at the

Christianity’sinrole ing the gospel ing ge ge Abuja, Nigeria. Musa Nigeria. onserves Abuja, the editorial boardsof National UniversityNigeriaStudies Open of (OOCAS), (NOUN), Olusegun Center andObasanjo Professor, Visitingfor African CommunicationPacific Studies at Azusa MusaA. Bala Musa, B. A. andB.Musa, A. Ahmadu, I. M.(2012). Wikifaith Newmedia, (2014).B.Musa, A. culture:through Mediatingfaith popular O. Krüger, (2007).of Gaia, Godhistory and the internet:The J. Inge, (2016). Ellul, J. (1967). Global in Perspective Nollywood management, among edited latest book others. His is nationalcommunication development,and conflict mediaandcommunication, religious and communication include interests new media ethics, media culture, and pop numerousscholarship His academicjournals. and research andmedia A church ecology brandversation: CA: Barbara, Praeger. med FromTwitter socialnew and in Ethics Tahrir to Square: media marketplace. (Eds.), J. In& Willis Musa B. A. ThevoiceAimeeSemple of McPherson in the new 54 Numen, evolutionand communitythe utopia in Routledge. ia communication ia

(PhD,Regent is University), Professor of The technological society. technological The A Christian theology of place.Christian A

, 138, - 173. Sources

(Vol. 2)

(Palgrave

(pp. 87 University, Azusa, CA, CA, University, Azusa,

NewYork: Vintage. - Macmillan)

NewYork: - 101). Santa media society. society. media .

57

A Global Conversation R.(2018). Warren, (2013).Tozer, W. A. Tillich, (1973).P. T.Pinkard, (2018). DigitalEcclesiology place http://dojustice.crcn from Retrieved Public offor of Dialogue Center Office Social Justice. ChicagoPress. andGod being Press. University of phenomenology spirit. Lang. 80). NewYork: Peter culture: Perspectives, andfuturesand practices Ess andC. Gelfgren, (Eds.), Fiscsher P. Cheong, In H. perspective. P. .

Systematic theology: Reason and revelation, theology:Reason and Systematic GeorgWilheim Recovering a theologya place. of Recovering

My daily pursuidaily My

(Vol. 1).

a.org/article/recovering Chicago,IL:The Universityof

NewYork: Cambridge

Fredrich Hegel: The FredrichHegel: Di t. gital religion,gital social media

Ventura,CA: Regal. - Nielsen, S. Nielsen, DoJustice - theology

(pp. 63

. - - modicum of ecclesial life. In another essay, I argued modicumI argued In ecclesialanotherof that life. essay, this toonline enableworship social d to hallmarkpractice theof church pivoting in thispandemic, the I submitpoint that anentry thisinterrogation the for is intosub a becoming becomingpositi ecclesialend up vocabulary to position may the church itself, the thisinvestigationis for that,reason withoutrisk own its than rather imposition the The church. onto from the state thisact church’sself anecclesial act.Put anotherto mineway,we seek the chapterconcerns to which the degree can be thiscooperation cooperatewithin this Thewe ask civic question authorities. churchesin closedrestricted an heavily or theCOVID of casualtiesof One Introduction acts distancing online church properly andthe as ecclesial vantage whichconsider from both point to social teaching’s stretched andIsubmit that social Body, Catholic essay focusesThis onidentifying thisthe points support for Online Church, Good, Common Online and Sacramental Praxis .

of cooperationof theof churchbeconsidered ancan act conception of the common good can be a useful goodcan of common beconception the a -

understandingto examine thetoextent which oned by someand by forceextrinsic dragooned oned MatthewPaulJohn Tan - departmentmachinations. state of - 10 -

19 worship,wasgathered with

-

istancing and a maintain istancing attempt to

58

A Global Conversation alsodenotes as what Maritain(2007) Jacques would regard thespecifictradition Catholicof flourishing social teaching, community’s)(and person’s economic in flourishing. However, commongood” usua theof moral good.”“thetheInof phrase, conventional uses the “socialnumber,” dimension andcommunity but expresses notthisfulfilment “greatest is mere goodgreatest a for Counc individuals,to reachfulfilment their more(Pontifical fully” conditionswhich oras people,groups as allow either the common defines formally social of good“the sumas total The Goodin Common The M in space.digital present Christ actthe common thatfor works good makingtheby Body of publicsucha that theonlinetheof church be still practice can tohas beunderwritten practice, liturgical by andsacramental Thevirtual. second howpart will outline t betweenthe and sacred thebut secular,and the alsothe real communala forging not the boundary, only spacethat bridges the problematic addresses by socialcreated by distancing thisessayof partwi Thefirst ecclesialproperly acts. considerboth as andchurch socialthe online distancing point common vantage which from useful bea good canto andI submit theof that teaching’sconception Catholicsocial focuson the supportidentifying pointsfor tobestretched intowouldthe continent. digital Thisessay pivot constitutedChrist of thean Body importantoccasion for DigitalEcclesiology Compendium the Socialof Doctrine Churchof the Compendium il for Justice and Peace, 2005). It goes further Justice further il for andthat2005). Itgoes toPeace, say

lly denotes the material conditionsa for denotes lly

oral oral Theology ll focuson how the common good

he common good hecommon

thisstretched Body, (2005)

especially whenespecially approachingthisfrom th spiritual.the moral Itis dimension here, interest of that is toincorporate moral, thesocial, religious, and cultural, charactertheof human material beyondbeing.”This goes the theperfection, “rectitudea of liberal standpoint,stalematenota of itis theaccidental fruit developmentinthe community.to everyone of Contrary goodthe commonthat for is andto working the community tothe conditionscreate enterprise a Itis humanof flourishing. Thecommon collaborative gooda thusof theis fruit outworkingtheof participation of thetheological point,thatparticipationan common thisis is outwardtowards andcommunion.trajectory thisis Thethird, thiscommon fulfilmentnaturehis requires of and generous thismore radically participating actively of incommon a project.Maritainputs a are there collaborativeget which state, theinfruit turn are alone.bothRather, andwhichflourishing by his the steps to andachievem 173) to memberbea requires needs, society” of (Maritain,2007, p. “the person,virtueby assays, dignity,his of well as his of presu The virtue. flowof firstthat from the is such life life a doesnot excellentcharacteristics theof human things person. Several goodhabits that pivotpersontowards a the perfecting of thelife base, is its virtue At thedeveloping processof the of tradition,life a of thevirtue. fruit is which,morala of end state life within Catholicthe Roman standpoint.thisinto bring To focus,good thethe common is . A self . A meanatomistic and self - mademan cannot life his virtuousman, bea and ent are notindividual of entare theresult achievement , in, thatbutneeds, his not the just

- life” that befits the“specificthat befits life” serving individual. As serving Maritain the common divine source.the common divine

e Roman Catholic Roman e the 59

A Global Conversation notneighbor is simplyconfined toecclesial the immediate confined tosince simply one community, specific,Christian that whichin “the common Itis cannotbe good.” to as who animpact define myhave neighbor is onwe how andbetween the resultant ambiguitycitizens and foreigners that time,Before however,the la whichcity. theby Lord, goats thatwho cansee webelongsin finally truly andthe accompanying divisionthe between theand sheep plantedonly at theeschatoncities.it is ForAugustine,in both that h the all provides reassurance tocity, citizens thebefirm of heavenly themselves Augustine citywemightbelong conceive to. Christians While of our bursts complacent Augustine which concerning bubbles in all. is What Man,of which and the City theof marked love by over is self God,of between Godtheof themarked love City by self, over Inhis Everybody Neighbors, insight. myneighbor? To this,Augustine Theandquestionwhich commonwho is: on goodis the turns ourof neighbors.own the welfare good to encompass not thesumittranscends Rather, our of individual goods. wemayall pa Putanotheroneself. defined by way,even advantage though betweenone’scountervailing own factions whichonly serves compromisebetween strategic competitors,it a nor is DigitalEcclesiology City of God of City

structive for ourthe waypurposesinfor is structive which rticipate in it differently, the commonrticipate ingood itdifferently, is (1998)

, Augustine makes a makes Augustine , distinction provides a subtlea provides anduseful ck of clear distinctionckclear of ave their ave squarelyfeet

my nonbelievingneighbors. commongood, act fo Godin worktheir Man.forof Christians, and the City the commonof common City is both of tothe residents both the community.that is which To itmore constructively, put further than simply refraining than further simply actionrefraining fromtaking to thecreate Tob thatthe common constitutedfor working a good. from absence distancingactionformof a that thecreation involved active impliesproximity to each sawin other, social Schindler commona good collaborative required tothethe commontraditionalof Whilst conceptions good. socialof directive distancingopened up paradoxa pertaining Schindler noted the currenthow pandemic andprimary its anwithinterview th we is interesting is What that manifestation this can in occur what good,to it has bemade tomanifest one’s neighbor. speci to it has beput intointo action order berealized. Peace, all” responsible for really (Pontifical CouncilJustice for and good, common and firm determinationpersevering to commit oneself whichsolidarity,of the virtue the associated with Closely the principle good the of common is Distance the Going refrain uild on Schindler’s comments, Schindler’s goes uildthe action on I believe fically, precisely because it is orientedbecause it is toprecisely fically, the common 2005, §193). As a virtue oriented2005, virtue toa the common As §193). good, fromdoingmuch as what for weas

eachother. Paradoxically,itwasthisabsence ” bornout the realization of thatall “weare

e r the weal of both their believing and believing the wealbothr of their Mars Hill Audio Journal Journal Hill Audio Mars

Compendium ction, a mode which ction, mode a (2020) actively actively

defines“a as

More , David C. C. David ,

do. In tothe

of

60

A Global Conversation the common thatonlinefor workssite a as church good. interrogationmust thebeoriented also towards pivoting online these createdplatforms.presence via This might indicatein turn needa to in thosewhoparticipate theof in themight life regularly church apparentof marginalizationthe qualitativeHowever, signs of sourceencouragementof to those inecclesial authority. might beincreasing onlineindicationsformats. The churchquantitative that the frustration, anger,confinedexpressed even atbeing tothe thosewhoattendance inwereregular at church have thechurch. engage time, thesame At however,numbera of with engagement demographica othe that might not indicatingtheof online opening is church up an avenue onlineconductedthatdelivered were thanthey were if onsite, otherwise bethewithcase, services more people attending numb reportedhigher socialespecially media.have the one On hand, some churches throughseriesa digital of relayed memes are platforms, homilies, online services, motivationalandmeetings, even the online thecenterthisis presence of At church, where throughthe absence. creationthatpresencea of from workswithin alsocuts yet distancedthe church,characteron thisactionof the turns withinlockdown.of the confines the context the of In virtuousaction that ser workactive bedone myneighbor tofor underwrite any that distance. The tocommitment good the common requires DigitalEcclesiology

thescopemightpresence its of bea

ers of engagement than engagement of would ers ves the common ves from including good, terrogate the status of theof the status terrogate rwise

church,intocommunionthese with real a but those puts also made tois present those onparticipation of the margins in the theof church, Christ of one inthewhichthe ofBody presence churchof recontextualizationa onlinefor the field opened has that thepandemic I argue Put moreprecisely, and the practice virtual. connection toinendures the transition fromthe material elementsup lifted in worship in such waythata this sacramentallywhen connected are thepixels material to the church’sworshippublic underwriting theby sacramentalfurther understandingtheof robusttheof common notion a good aboverequires outlined liturgical action.thismore it may,I alsosubmitthat Be as that onlinesuchchurch, churchthat theonline theof commonthe goodpractice the and of underwrite naturetheof church’s worship ourunderstanding can inform that dynamic.express Isubmitpublic that understandingthe dynamicoperating wit secondsacramental,thatreal a is itis is inthat there spiritual liturgical,a inthatit is itis andcommonmore apparentlyfirst relevant good. that The is dimensionsi that are Fromthe Catholic standpoint, worshipinterlocking two has & Liturgy Sacrament theof church.sacramental life contextualizationlook oninto fresh a the liturgical and turns that

are already regular participantsalready Such are life. in re its a

nformative for our considerationnformativefor theof

hin and beyond the material signs that beyond hinthe materialand signs — we are saying that on this saying weare leitourgia

or a publicora work. The

canproperly bea ly occurs ly - 61

A Global Conversation this. Eucharist. couple A every importantof implicationsflow from that thewhole timeacross church and space is encompasschurch the whole meaning time across and space, down tothe breaks worship those Christ barriers of constitutiontheof people thetemple onto h temple, and geography, cult,sacred transposed becauseChrist thelong Schmemanntheactgathering. broke of that Christ observes partic real a communion, it is as communion insofar it alsotranscends that theworship theof church thatparticular a is of gathered the world.”“for focuson on While thematerial suffix alevel, concept towe sacramentalitywant of butnow shortly, for thechurch “sacramenttoa the world.”theas for will turn We Schmemanncompellingly (1973) presents argues that worship constituted?being In whereto alsohave ask: thetoborders We theseare people a becomingintothiscommunion by gathered divinepersons of persons. Flowingfromthat, liturgical worshipan act is of foremost theactthe Triune of God, communiona that of is, individual.Ruth Burrows As not worship,is the act primarily an isola of prayer th often is sacraments.” forgotten is What backingthatthisthecall assertion one“right is a has tothe reopeningchurches,of one argument oftenunexpressed tothe liturgical.First In the more Leitourgia DigitalEcclesiology le it

, a people.a , - standingtie between andany religion thefor concern

ipation whoin the workthe initiatorChrist, of is of

imself. Thus,though worship imself.

For the Life of the World the of Life Forthe —

(1999, p. (1999, 29) takes place in a particular locale, place inparticular takes a impassionedthe callsfor rem inds us, it is first and first it is us, inds at inliturgical , Alexander,

— gathered at gathered and the and t ed less than creationof ateachthe entirety altar.less gathered Even constitutedno is theby liturgical worship aboveoutlined globalfaith,” not a community. even Thekindpublic of that is thechurch Thefirst not of is simply“community a must turnto the sacramentalthe logicthat underwrites thistransposition. by reformatted that here our attention Itis space,and thus the commonthat gets inevitably good becausethisgold thetransposition to the virtual. fromthe terrestrial This vital is duringmust nowWe consider the golden thread that endures Sacramentum churchliturgicalproperly a work. is p distancingdoesnotthe frommy neighbor therefore, negate andneighbor.shoulddigital myterrestrial also encompass My and unbelievingneighbor.mybelieving relevantly, More it both onlinethen the“common” liturgies, encompass should theof common good sociaof to the practice anotheryou apply way,Catholicif social teaching’sconception worshipthe “common” Put frames inthe common good. our purposes, thispublic for morerelevant constituted in theof sacr residents arealtar atthe thoseabovethatthemselves gathered even accentuated theis observationborders Augustine’s by further and thisdividethe andsmudgingof sacred spheres, secular entire publictheouterthisgathered of borders the encompass thecommunity round alsotrue gathered it is the altar, that thattrue themostit is immediateif public constituted by is ublic space constituted by the liturgy, just as the online as ublicjust space constitutedtheby liturgy, ty of theof cosmos. ty cut Theseborders those across that

en thread is what theen thread is common undergirds ed and secular spheres. Secondly,ed andspheres. secular and

l distancing and l distancing thing 62

A Global Conversation IncarnateremainstheWord highpointin God’s of presence In Christ. iterationmost theof sacramental comprehensive of presence sacramentalthe logicembodiedhighlights the as gathering thatconception same theof common Nevertheless, good. space,fromwhich trans similarly wea can derive transtemporal underwritesan essentially c sacramentalthe logictheof incarnateof presence word gathering.theequivalent to Tothe terrestrial reiterate, the the limits toalsoexposes which can be that presence digital theof church, that I argue we affirm As the sacramental in presencethe presence digital million ina the bodymanifesting Christ of screens. thoseaboutthat bring theof church, presence thedigital presence corenetworka of material ofactsthat intheturn channel present materially elementsthat makeChrist formthe living becomeThese eucharisticand Christ. of blood the body elementsbread andof wine broughtthat to and are the altar themost thee iteration intense thisare presenceof tradition,an ongoingthisincarnational is one, presence and theof materialin world. the present texture Inthe Catholic kenotic and actChrist’s becomingmakingthe flesh of Word Inthe Catholic of tradition, the center cosmos. divineworka thatintois extends the materialthe structureof divinework.a because Schmemann Yet,it is as it us, reminds theconception possible theandof public is the common Catholicconception liturgicalof worship. DigitalEcclesiology

otherwords, the sacramental theof presence of theof incarnate word. Thesematerial actsinclude

this very same sacramentalsame thisvery logic thisdivinework is

As indicated earlier, earlier, indicated As ommonpublic - spatial

ucharistic propersacramental publictheof constituted in is the practice aroundThethethat, world.implications althoughthisare of a celebratedin cordonedthe (albeit hea off) abidespresenceinon the manyis whichaltars the mass theworld, sacramentalformand intenseof that most we take the real presence of presence the seriously,we real take Christ and the the secondhowever,is principle sacramentalof If presence. this principletheof commonfirst gives What efficacy, good its the polartogether churchcuts throughholds thenonetheless separation and the common of the site gathering, the good presumed by whenthat, even actionsindicate visibly of theopposite thecommon thenew publica of undergird site good can such traditional principlesin the Catholic Iarg tradition. I sought tofindthis newChrist. iteration theof church on two disruption,not negationare they athe ofwork the of Body of social distancingandchurch the online indeed are a whilethe situation re lockdownof and the ecclesiologicalthe distanced that,for basis church. Iargued Inthe precedingsections, I sought toestablishan Conclusion ourindwelling in that presence. channels edition onlivestream thosethousandof a masses YouTube belimitedthat it I am(and arguing theonline beundone. canchurch maynever connection Our the worka Christ, because, of as sacramental underwritingof ondissolution, a Isay theof embodiedgathering. onlinethatchurch,nonetheless verging reduction, spaceis a , but that does not nor but, voidChrist, theof presence that does

ity of isolationof ity and sociality.

is is a limitation)a to the sultant practiceof rt of churches of rt

“verging” ued that 63

A Global Conversation Johnson, (2007). K. D. T.W. (2004).Cavanaugh, Burrows,R.(1999). (1998).Augustine. AwkwardTheologian Asian Way Thethe with Cross of Flesh: Jesus Zombie theauthor mosttwohis of recentbeing books, formation at theArchdioceseis and He research Sydney. of Notreof Australia University Dame and worksin chaplaincy John Tan Matthew Paul creations. creation. creation, All and thismust our digital include theof Divine presenceand inWordsinews the textures of simulations.by the Theeucharistic what is presence anchors whichtheto physical the have of church sinews inthe situation just onlineof churches, in but situation any destructive then thedistance,universe, though not still is disruptive, mediationinpresencethethat va of real DigitalEcclesiology Cambridge UniversityPress. Cambridge tolerance anddifferenceBeyond consumerism global the liturgy Discovering inpoliticalas act a an age of Ward. Cambri

of the . I suggest thatI suggest the thisof Body Christ. of appliesnot

dge, UK: UK: UniversityPress.dge, Cambridge The City of God against pagansof the City The

Letters on Prayer Letterson Theology, political theoryand pluralism: Theology,

is senior lecturersenior is in Theopolitical . Sources . NewYork: T&T Clark.

. London,Sheed and UK:

imagination: . Cambridge, . Cambridge, UK: st canvas of canvas st the theologyat the . He blogs . He at

Redeeming Redeeming bereplaced

.

Ma ——— Tan,M. J. (2020). theBody P. digital Christ. Communionof in Schmemann, (1973).A. the common (2020,Schindler, C. Perceiving 1). May D. good in Pontifical CouncilJustice for and Pea ritain,J. (2007).politics.Jr. Scholasticismand& InJ. Witte, . (2016). Sarah Coakley & the prayerst of & Coakley Sarah . (2016). 179).Press. NewYork: Columbia University On law,politics & Catholicism: nature human (Eds.), F. S.Alexander Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.Minneapolis, Fortress MN: theologyof systematic future InJ. Christ.” of McRandal (Ed.), Station,Religion College TX: Digital Publications. Church on Reflections Doing Online CampbellInA. (Ed.), H. Vladimir’sSeminaryPress. missing. https: Journal uncommon (Audio interview). times 26_compendio s/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_200605 http://www.vatican from Retrieved theof social doctrine theof Church.”City. Vatican //marshillaudio.org/page/heres . Retrieved . Retrieved from

- dott For the life of the worldof life Forthe .va/roman_curia/pontifical_council - soc_en.html The teachingsThe of modern Roman The Distanced Church: Distanced The

ce. (2005). “Compendiumce.(2005).

(pp. 159 Sarah Coakley Coakley the & Sarah .

(pp. 81 Mars Hill Audio Mars - – what 185). 185). . NewYork: St. hedigital Body –

- 82). youre (pp.

- 171 – 64

A Global Conversation migrationonline.the newevaluating by They do this implicationstheof choices duringtheir made churches by alsoponder the ecclesial These andessays liturgical in but whatinage, digital a constitutestheof churchthe essence not only communitymeansconsiderto gathered bea what it been withpresented society. have Churches an opportunityto reflection deeper for on what in contemporary is thechurch distancingchurchby wholea as unique createdhas a forcedof social,The more or accuratelyrise physical,stated elicitedand ecclesialduringthis time. by required structures theologicaltoresponse implications technologyvarious of churches. Theaim beenhas to inve sought todiscussthe impact the COVID of focusedEcclesiology,” This oncollection“Digital has essays of DigitalEcclesiology of pandemicchurch. future the onthe of theological we to voices as look t discussion byserious church leaders, and congregations, out anagendatopics offurther conversational in of need highlighted maps collection. by in essay It authors this also essay This theabsencephysicala of meetingand space. Moving Ecclesiology:Digital TowardsMoving a Key Themes and highlights the questions andthemes dominant Heidi A Campbell & SophiaCampbell & Heidi A Osteen

Considerations - 11

-

he impact of this season impactthis season he of stigate potential stigate

- 19pandemic on

moment manifest inmanifest new through ways worshipdigital to how on Catholicshowreflecting doctrineschurchmade are essaysofferTogether, these variety a perspectives,of from integrationmediadigital of period.duringthisunprecedented churchof expressions andworship Christian acknowledgethe years,whatin place. already was Over toresponse the COVID theclosingCatholic of brick onlineof turningtothat practicesthe “Before surge foll COVID novelthenot to“online is necessarily church” reality the ago. andservice formof offline years Bergerdescribes how movedhad gradually online co creating maintainand other membership churchchurches structures, had groups to quickly move toonlineorder in2020 Spring in highlight essays Many that while many religious churches and digitally understanding groups whatof itmeansto bethein church a movepotentially re but to also expressions consider tothethe offline ways online ref churchesof to offer online.seek meaningfulthey Here, community/koinonia andcomplicatedraised the are bymove communioncore theological Christian and of conception ritualhow around likesof religious issues church liturgy, “onlinep church.”Authors have the creation by inevitablybeen raised different of forms of practicesonline.theological have different Many questions ecclesial throughaltered modelsbeing new churchare Protesta lection onnot how just fromoffline church online differs - 19pandemic the Catholicexplains for community. She - nts in different cultural ntsin different contexts understand how driven an driven dtechnologically - shape different denominations shapedifferent and - 19pandemic, toimportant it is - and - icked up on key debates icked updebates on key mortarsanctuariesin - mediated society. mediatedsociety. mplementary online mplementary born out of their of bornout

owing 65

A Global Conversation papacies. different happenedandhas the Catholicfor Church history throughout of the remarks identity resembles Pope Francis,but that this the as thecurrent leader, reflect CatholicChurch’scurrent morphs. Amaroda S through andandchangescivil unrest, religion wars, famines, the Churchdone and As have most groups in religious history, Catholics,moving online thechanges identitythe ofChurch. technology turningto and thejust Church, integrating for besides digital movingonline manyhas unseen implications oracknowledged withinreligion digital the Catholicthat Church asserted historically.explanation Forexample, Amaro da Silva’s of situationstoof cultural adapt and toemerging variety tr a notedhadotherhowhas of examples andreligion the church not is groups newornovel to the COVID experienced muchand struggle withintheof change Christian importantAn observationmade manyby theof onlinewas. new butthe purposenecessarily rather andmoving of priority betweenpeople” “…themain complementarybut inthiscurrent publ communication, Digital wasAmaroonceexplains, daas Silva parallel withtraditional and forms practices” offline ( socialdigital space,oftendeveloping onlinein expressions worship, prayer, andof emerged, thegoodvirus a before number Catholicof practices DigitalEcclesiology

intoandrituals practices. worship for Importantly, and sometimes the onlyand communicationformof sometimes

( 7

). ilva explains thatexplains changes oftenthese ilva

Formany, online the shift wasnot

devotionhad beguntointo migrate ic health crisis became crisis ic health - 19 Authorscrisis. authors is that is authors 1 5 ). ). ends withstandthe curr peopletothe not church’s concerned over tobetoo ability to disruptions,” no is tostranger andbesure, encourages forced innovationexplaininghowby “…thedifferently church, approachesChia churches’ and relationship to technology Hohnethatquestionsexplains these to maynot deal beeasy andaboutpastors mightresponse their lead them. where themrequired to pose difficult questions to leaders church bothin the historicaland the curren sense explaininghow Church” understand they “The of the essence globala of pandemic.and defining Thisinvolved authors timediscussiona whatof Church” itmeansto during be“The Anotherpromin theglobal church. environmental,orsocial not political,is circumstances new for manyforcing people online, toforcedbeing to adapt due ( quickto adopt, inte mediapermeatedhas culture,technology beenthehas church churches“…new nowas right not is that novel.explains Musa emphasize how theliturgical innovations even among (Chia, thatmayface they anthroughability to it all,have “weather the current c conductedto(due persecution),”“openly andorclandestinely beheldincamps,” refugeein sheds “makeshift hadto be forced tohadmove online,to churches while have historically, COVID displacements,etc., undefeated” andemerged has brought aboutpersecution, plagues, by war,population “…has encountered states, Chia turmoil andupheavals 5 5 ). The authors). crisis emphasize that despitecurrent the - 19churches crisis, andg religious ent theme amongst the essays is the is theessays enttheme amongst

ent crisis weThe face. church,ent crisis Christian as grate, and incorporate grate, it into worship” 2 3 ). Many of theof other Many essays ). roups have been t sense. This also This t sense. (2 3 risis ). ). Inthe ” 66

A Global Conversation thesupposed after pandemic theEucharist. thatexplains “…if regarded Hohne theof centralOne theologicalthe during debateraised object to” ( andhow overcome“promisethey the dualisms to I[Ess] entanglementbetwe explain,mightonthey go to discoverthe “inextricable the real.” Essdualism As the versus of “virtual goes onto lead churchto re andleaders religious ( blockedtransmission fromdigital and reproduction”virtual “ duringthe COVID Forthe actexample,communicationexplains virtual Ess of distinctly,thedualistic spiritual. naturethe ofphysical andthe toChurch,explaina separated, thatoften we have as quite “conceptually to consider encouragesleaders He re “digital tendencyto of theview Church perspective binary froma limitingfreedom” ( religious “criticized churchtoo for the state willingly accepting leaders into order while thecurve’”‘flatten othersgatherings the abstinencetheologians physicaljustified of religious andmany, globafor remaining open decisionstimea during ofregarding national COVID practical( difference” “…needto becausebeon make agenda, a they the […] withecclesiologically, “…theologically, but and societally” DigitalEcclesiology 4 phys 4 ). As far the churchas As whole,a ). as thispandemicshould icality - - 19leaders hadcrisis, have to makethe difficult analogue,” or virtual versus real, can analogue,” versusreal, beproblematic.orvirtual 4 of theof Communion thoroughly elements, as 5 ). ). fraught” or dangerous outlookordangerous fraught” (

- 19puts ancrisis, emphasis on the -

life w life l, quarantining. Hohne states that “Somel, quarantining.that Hohne states en spirit, dust, anden spirit, divineconsciousness” 50 ). As the author duringthe As explains, ). ere more important ere the for vision 50 ). ). Ess describes that describes Ess the - thinkingthispotentially - thinkviewtheir on this 4 1 ).

He goes on goes He they ways cooperation ways church beconsidered “…can anact the of “cooperationcanbean ecclesial act,”fu law.”Similarly,Tan to questions which the degree to celebratethe Eucharistsense when violatingstate even itis andsocialthan wellsurvival EasternOrthodox tochurches’ resistance the Eucharist stark onlinechallengedcommunion the is Roman by and Catholic denominational Evangelicalto churches’ contexts. openness authorsMany responded toquestionsthese fromdifferent implicationsthe modification required sac to church, problemas gathering whatof the larger are bannedthe moveWhile onlinethe social gatherings? solves docommunionyouperform authentically of inperiod a liturgical trajector churchestheir and interpret apply biblical to create mandates celebrations,how such the Eucharist,as on putspotlight a Theauthors’ discussion sacred theof of rethinking ( toconne nowable“…is networkeda must as on church, function that is thatexplains whether theornot“Church” desired, right is this both offer limitations and innovation.possibilities She for theological and teachingsthat theby new impacted context tosimultaneouslychurch and and address consider practices traditional practicesleaders into environmentdigital a forces Forexample,that Amaroexplains migration da a Silva of beinadaptiontheir contexts. to new, technological especially the questionforces howritualof religious flexible challenging traditional Besides ecclesial lawsand protocols, it than rather imposition the ( church” onto from the state 1 2 ). ).

ct everyone to Christ, forming one forming bodyto Christ, and everyone spirit” ct y. Thisy. questions.raisesof wide a range How - being inbeing thisworld, it would make rthermore, in which rthermore,in red practices?red

areorcan 58 ). ).

67

A Global Conversation opinions varying amongst is authorsthere demonstrate that actsperformedsacred online difficult. Such and discussion separation denominationsemphasisbecause someonof leaders’ the communionvirtual certain difficultespecially for is Silva, andthatthe spaceexceeds God’s grace home,the Internet,connected over with the P thatare there realize toseveral ways pray the Father in our notthe replacephysical it“we communion,but through Practicingcommunion doeschurch throughspiritually online way,the Eucharist s remains they desire in and inspirit yourheart’s truth.” share Inthis communing,thewhen priest mouth[s] see they salivates and Althoughdothey “their not thedrinkbread orthe wine, take stand,listen,watc werethey if “placeas in the Church,themselves kneel, sit, the prieststheas bread and wine,share live themembers withinpart incommunion,hometheir watching take maynot or memberstoand communionprepare schedule timelive a for duringthistime mediatedof worship for important still it is Amaroreminds dachurchIn Silva that one essay, members depending on theologicaltheir largely perspectives. respondto Eucharistic celebrations sodra churches” ( duringthe COVID communion discusses debatedonline thesacrament “most as dia as DigitalEcclesiology other acts.thatsacred Sheexplains whilethe individuals 1 gitally mediated gitally practices. Forinstance, Berger 3 ). Ess, on Ess, the). other hand, act how describes of the of physicalityof and spirituality,formmakingof any 1 8 ). This shows ). thatthe ways denominations - h,andwith souls,”.pray bodiestheir and 19lockdown” theCatholic amongst

acred even in a digital realm. indigital a acred even - timelimit” da (Amaro stically different, sticallydifferent, eople of God,of eople

characteristicschurchdigitalmake a communitydigital a Anotherprominent authors by waswhat theme discussed inage. digital a ecclesiologytheall” digital no for “onefits size global church but, anddeeplydependent members are Christ on one another, thatCommunity theChristian only is established through thenaturetrueand es inand morethe name“…reflect penetrating Christ” of questionsgathered about itmeanstocommunity bea “what leaders religious fundamental encourages to Chia ask communityand ( that mean itmay alone “being together” distancing?thatexplains to we mightCloete rethinking have so,howMore can socialof wecommunity bea inperioda so,the “…place worshipof then, God”is, theof presence ( worship,that placenot is to and restricted only one location,” people “…expectsHis to ‘meet’ withHim at the ( centerattentionof churchof engine and the driving ministry” makingthandisciples, alonerather the leader being the people,”on “multiple the churchvirtual the focusreorienting toward for “makes the duringthistime theof globalthat pandemic. explains Musa 5 7 ). Musa describes how describes Musa ). thethat Bibleus tells God

thethroughsame technology ( withwe can churches, Godtrust these surely […] to do separationcannot threatenthedeep letter avid theApostlemedia used Paul day his of As

- writer writer s nodes of connection,” and “members nodes connection,”“members s of and sence of thesenceof church” ( –

[..] Paul knew that [..] d 24 ). ).

2 koinonia koinonia 2 ). Chia explains explains Chia ). istanceand

place of place –

hewas an hehad ly

about 30 5 6

). ). ). ). 68

A Global Conversation COVID authorsin how or andactivities, offline notalternatives their as substitutes” shouldthey supplementingonly beseen as the church’s andactivities Onlinenetworksreligious can continue,still but do always sointheolo a ministries, various technologyits for imaginatively but itmust includethat should groups churchresume does back to life usual. She theCO findourselves” circumstances thenecessitated extraordinary by in which we provisional as beseen […] andtemporary measures, 9 after aside the pandemic beleft passed” has the“goodliving that initiatives and we are creative should not pandemic broughtnothas is the orshould Somelast. theof authors madechanges churchesby duringthe CO seriously theof essaysask Many how long many theof upchurcha most themto of God’sandrelate people. COVID hathey This outlookChrist. to re leaders may require andthrough together commitmentattentiveness their to notto time restricted a and place butbonded insteadare community a thejust “Church” truly is believers of who are communion.Theall pointauthors seemingly to to fellowshipthe deepKoinoniaChristian and referring DigitalEcclesiology ( ). Chia

By contrast,By assertsthat Chia the“…current arrangements , - - 2 VID 19should crisis continue post 19demonstratedhas what characteristicsmake truly d previously emphasized dpreviously inchurchtheir as services 6 ). While there isthere While ). no - 19pandemic andended, has religious churches

“The church should, of course, continue to churchuse course,“The of continue should, much much (2 6 )

. Thethatauthor oncebelieves and when of theof technology theused during gically prudent and principled manner. prudent gically and principled general consensusamong general the “ totalityof assert that while what that while assert - pandemic, there is a is pandemic,there VID being - ( - 19outbreak will Amaro da Silva, considerwhat

the ways that ways the

church,

”

this

Overall, theauthors toseem agree thatOverall, manytheof changes qua advancesmadeministriesshould for beutilized post agreementgeneral that definitely inevitablycome withchurches. essays of theera digital The congregationstandson will the theological that decisions ecclesiologicalwherethe questions and determine challengewillchurch for bedifficultto ask leaders that secure theChurch can feel survive anythingnow. The the COVID by presented challenges that theglobal churchadap confidence ways acknowledge thanThe the before. essays with Church” should era more “Digital head intothe Ecclesiology fromthe Digital churchessays, staff and ministry Inconclusion, drawing fromthe takeaways themes and key church.offline will shapetheonlineonline andintochurch offline digital a difficult ecclesial andliturgical questio spacechurchthat necessitates and scholars toleaders ask that thechurchin a and Yet,sits strong resilient. italsonow is way.the Ultimately,headsits authors remain steadfast moreequipped the todealwith footingin the “newand normal”it will stronger be that arises, backtoits orfinds normal thepandemiclessened, has once Thetohopeful authorsreturn are that whenable theis church theological missionan phenomenoninfluenced andperceived their are both by oldtruth:and the Church cannew cultures adapt to thenecessitated COVID by rantine.

d the external pressure of theof world. pressure dthe external - 19pandemic anage demonstrate ted quickly and innovatively to the tedquickly and innovatively

next global disaster that globalnext disaster some - 19can pandemic. Readers ns, of how this moment howof ns, this

of theof technological ir ir - - - 69

A Global Conversation churches.digital of both and identifying place,their beliefs, theirin the wide array difficult asking theby Church’shistory questionsand further moreconfidently into enter the n themespresented confidentin decisiontheir know theandand pastors leaders if flock, their they can be decisionsun are andpertinentoften these to growth. encouragingly, More encouragechurch thatquestionsnecessary these leaders are DigitalEcclesiology ique to each denomination and congregation, iqueto eachand denomination congregation,

inthe book

- making skills. Acknowledging the Acknowledging makingskills.

will lead church leaders to will leaders leadchurch ew, unprecedented period in ew,unprecedented

KeyThemes 1. 3. 2.

While many While churches, Catholic including churches, are worship; offline COVID to have thechurches used compliment Most onlinea as “church” can exist in a digital format?digital“church” in a exist can behinda them.believe andpastors leaders Do considerwhat lies motivationand understanding theof churchpriorities need to bere Liturgical practicesresponsibility.and Currently communal andthe state individual for verses and care about community,believe truly they religious respect Churchdecision requires to leaders pandemic difficultask questions the “Church” Defining nature the of in global a political,changes andsocial amidst otherperiod years of thousands for church thrived, and even survived, has not andis response new to whole.thea Church as The to have adapt tointenseculturalchanges, adaptation manythe firstthispastorsis for While experience to this pandemicno is and has Church The alwaysadapted cultural to changes, than thought. previously necessary churchesthat mightchurch thedigital bemore The currentservice. pandemic demonstratedhas to co outreach,a viewed as it waspreviously notnew completely to online and streaming digital mplementary addition mplementary to worshipthe traditional an an Emerging Digital Emerging Must Ecclesiology - makingduringpandemic what reveals

different. - 19changed has that.

s of environmental,of s

- examin

ed, to Consider:

.

70

A Global Conversation DigitalEcclesiology 5. 4.

churchrequired. are and community examinationtheologicalpracticalof of definitions and community.Inperiod a socialre of isolation todoesnot and of rise experience immediate give recognizeddigital thatit is using tomodify within Additionally, service. churchdigital a toworship importessential Christian are important or tasked are withleaders determining what of aspects no are “place” there When designations, church “Digitalor Church” “Digital Com defining of and makeswhatan a online gathering COVID The otherswithin the church. it doeswhen like communion withbeshared can mediatedpr meaningfula substitute.thisas behalf their However, online inpriests communionpartake symbolically on “spirituala of communion”,thewatch members where home. someForthese denominations, the alternative memberstak anof online inthe efficacy believe where formof theologicaldo debate,other notdenominations churchesmoved with communiononline little many and While evangelical non formsfor communionmany.traditional of rituals not, mediated do and physicalcommunion. as meaningful However, “spiritual can many, For communion” as be -

19 crisis has called for 19called re a crisis has actice does not fully fulfill the act for them, theact for fulfill actice fully doesnot e their owntheir e communion at elements

cannot, replace - munity.” interactivemedia denominational

- examination

-

6.

current crisis. current and lessonsintegrate somepractices past the learned fix. for It temporary important is continue church to should not seen be as forcedexperimentation a digital The innovationsmade duringthis of time morecomplementaryway importanta but continue andpast thecrisis, in should that certainelementstheagreed churchof digital are toworshipprevious norms. Yetthe authorsall of 19,most churchesothersasserted will orshould return innovationsundoubtedlycon should thatsome While believed digital authors strongly

.

tinue post tinue - COVID - 71

A Global Conversation