Friends,
I've been dreaming about what it might look like to start an online Open and Relational Theology (ORT) church.
Many fans of ORT and Christian process thought send me notes asking for recommendations of churches in their area. I do my best to link them. But it's difficult. What if there was an online Church I could connect them to?
Of course, there are disadvantages a fully-online church faces. It wouldn't be for everyone. But there are also advantages.
What if this online church had three major functions:
1. Operated as an online community pursuing ORT ideas from a Christian perspective? (with worship services, small group discussions, service projects, sermons, pastoral staff, activism, and so on)
2. Provided ORT resources for leaders in ORT and ORT-leaning in-person churches?
3. Used technology to link in-person ORT churches with people who want an in-person ORT experience? Like a massive data base.
Thoughts?
Tom
I would like thoughts on lectionary texts - Feb 6 with the fishing “ miracle” is to my mind an extension of the visions and dreams in the Hebrew writings…. being a Psychologist as well clergy I go to the representation as water resembling the deep unconscious and plummeting the depths of our inner being and soul.
I would love some feedback on others ideas what to do with this - or reference from appropriate resources/ writings
@mamckechney I'm embarrased to say I'm only seeing this note now! I'm so sorry.
I have addressed the miracles issue in a number of books. But here's a little blog essay that might help:
Can an Uncontrolling God Do Miracles?
http://thomasjayoord.com/index.php/blog/archives/can-an-uncontrolling-god-do-miracles
This is an interesting idea. BTW, I'm actually one of those people who reached out about ORT-friendly churches in my area. Lol. I don't have much to offer myself, but you should reach out to a guy named Joe Webb, host of the Accidental Tomatoes podcast https://accidentaltomatoes.com. He's involved in some online church community stuff.
They also interviewed someone named James Kang about Digital-First Faith Communities. You can check that one out here...
@dewveall Thanks for this! And I'm embarrassed to say I'm only seeing this now... six months later! I'll check out the link.
Tom, keep dreaming and developing your idea. Many congregations forced into Zoom and Facebook Live services with the COVID epidemic found them a convivial source of connection and service. If enough people come together over time, in-person groups might emerge.
Thanks for this note, Steve!
