Digital Commons @ George Fox University Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations 1-1-2018 The hC urch Has Left the uiB lding: A Leadership Perspective of Online Church versus Traditional Church Valerie E. Crumpton [email protected] This research is a product of the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at George Fox University. Find out more about the program. Recommended Citation Crumpton, Valerie E., "The hC urch Has Left the uiB lding: A Leadership Perspective of Online Church versus Traditional Church" (2018). Doctor of Ministry. 276. http://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/dmin/276 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Digital Commons @ George Fox University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Ministry by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ George Fox University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. i GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE OF ONLINE CHURCH VERSUS TRADITIONAL CHURCH A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF PORTLAND SEMINARY IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF MINISTRY BY VALERIE E. CRUMPTON PORTLAND, OREGON APRIL 2018 Portland Seminary George Fox University Portland, Oregon CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL ________________________________ DMin Dissertation ________________________________ This is to certify that the DMin Dissertation of Valerie Crumpton has been approved by the Dissertation Committee on February 26, 2018 for the degree of Doctor of Ministry in Preaching as Story. Dissertation Committee: Primary Advisor: David McDonald, DMin Secondary Advisor: Michael Hearn, DMin Lead Mentor: Leonard I. Sweet, PhD Copyright © 2018 by Valerie E. Crumpton All rights reserved. The Scripture quotations contained herein are taken from King James Version, New King James Version, New Living Translation, New International Version, English Standard Version, and Message Bible, unless otherwise indicated. ii Table of Contents LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ............................................................................................. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... ix ABSTRACT .........................................................................................................................x CHAPTER 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM .........................................................1 The Internet ....................................................................................................................3 Background of the Study ...............................................................................................6 Statement of the Problem ...............................................................................................7 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................8 Rationale ........................................................................................................................8 Research Questions ......................................................................................................10 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................10 Definition of Terms ......................................................................................................10 Assumptions and Limitations ......................................................................................12 Nature of Study ............................................................................................................14 Organization of the Remainder of the Study ...............................................................14 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................15 CHAPTER 2. BIBLICAL FOUNDATION FOR PARACHURCH MININSTRY ..........21 Overview ......................................................................................................................21 The Parachurch ............................................................................................................23 History of Parachurch ..................................................................................................24 Substantial Dissimilarities or Supporting Causes ........................................................27 Two Structures .............................................................................................................29 One Mission: The Online Church ................................................................................32 Anti-Christian Countries ........................................................................................37 A Brighter Future ...................................................................................................38 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................39 CHAPTER 3. THEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL FOUNDATION ..........................42 Jesus, The Media Mogul ..............................................................................................43 Take It to The Nations ...........................................................................................45 The Mission .................................................................................................................48 Issues with the Mission ..........................................................................................48 Missional Theorists ................................................................................................49 The Mission of Love ....................................................................................................52 House Church .........................................................................................................52 The Early House Church ........................................................................................54 Love Fulfills God’s Requirements .........................................................................56 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................57 iii CHAPTER 4. THE PAJAMA PASTOR ...........................................................................59 Overview ......................................................................................................................60 The Pastor’s Role .........................................................................................................61 Leader Shift ..................................................................................................................63 Evolving Brick and Mortar ..........................................................................................67 Digital Storytelling: Surviving in This New Space .....................................................69 Building Electronic Relationships ...............................................................................70 Strategic Relationships .................................................................................................72 Connection and Collaboration .....................................................................................73 The Transformative Experience ...................................................................................75 Spiritual Pluralism .......................................................................................................76 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................77 CHAPTER 5. THE ONLINE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE ...............................................80 Overview ......................................................................................................................80 The Importance of the Internet Church ........................................................................81 The Worship Experience ..............................................................................................84 True Relationship ...................................................................................................84 True Worship .........................................................................................................86 Communicative Competence .................................................................................88 Intercultural Sensitivity ..........................................................................................91 Intracultural Sensitivity ..........................................................................................93 Interpersonal Relevance .........................................................................................94 Learning Styles ......................................................................................................95 Artistic Interaction .................................................................................................97 Communication Tools ..................................................................................................99 Chapter Summary ......................................................................................................102 CHAPTER 6. STARTING A WEB-BASED CHURCH ................................................105 Overview ....................................................................................................................105