making breakfast with one sock on

I recently attended a presentation by Jim Siburt as part of Theology With a Twist.  Theology With a Twist is a local group that meets at the Kutztown Tavern in order to discuss contemporary theological issues in a relaxed, non-affiliated environment.  The group is part of a growing trend in religious organizations that meet in bars or taverns for discussion on contemporary issues in an attempt to get away from stigmatized church venues.

Siburt discussed his work in the field of utilizing visual technology to enhance the traditionally aural-based sermon. Mr. Siburt gave a fine presentation on both his past work in this area and then connected it to his current studies in Semiotic Theory. The jist of this dealt with the use of visual communication in order to present contemporary cultural references to a congregation of diversified cultural knowledge.

What struck me though was the discussion that was initiated at the end of this presentation.  Siburt talked a little about social networking and the relation that plays in his system of a visual society in communication, and when he began his discussion he opened it with a question as to what the audience felt about the future of “virtual” church. Being a small crowd representing primarily older generations the majority of the discussion fell along the lines of concern over the concept of virtual churches and the impact that would have on privacy, doctrinal unity, traditions, etc.

As the last comment, one gentleman made the comment that (and I am paraphrasing here), “I will not join Facebook because it is like letting company come in the back door instead of ringing at the front door.  And that just leaves you stuck making breakfast with one sock on.” I am serious that is really what he said. In an amazingly colorful manner he was pretty much envisioning Facebook friends to neighborhood kids that just walk in your back door and impose on you when you weren’t expecting it.

I kind of had a hard time reacting to this idea at the moment, but the first thought in my head was 1) yes that is exactly what Facebook is and 2) My God, as a church congregation isn’t that exactly what you want?

I think the thing that really set that whole discussion off on the wrong foot was the fact that the presenter asked the question about the future of “virtual” churches.  “Virtual” conjures up images people wearing those ridiculous goggles over their eyes and clumsy gloves wired to a computer. The extension of that, “virtual communities,” makes you think of creepy child stalkers and middle aged women with 34 cats. We have moved beyond our past prophecies of the virtual world to replace our own. If the success of social networking has proved anything it is that we as a society don’t want to replace our real  community by ignoring it and holing ourselves in a virtual one, we want to hold on to that real community beyond the normal calling hours. Essentially, we want to invite people in the back door.

And isn’t that a rather inviting concept for a church community. If the idea is to share your lives with a community of people in a very deep way, then why would you want to put limitations as to when they can come to the house. Why not open the back door, start making breakfast and see who wonders in from the smell. And if you’re not fully dressed when they come in, well what are some naked toes between friends.

Advertisement