Luis Almeida

Social media will never fully replace brick and mortar churches in Cleveland or any other small city in America.

The reason why I am so convinced about this is because God isn’t always about technology. The Lord is all about people and His kingdom. The idea that online communities will destroy the church establishment will prove to be false as long as we focus on the message of God and the development of people instead of the financial desires of man.

By the way, I am not saying that technology initiatives shouldn’t be taken seriously or should be totally ignored. When push comes to shove, supporting “real-life” church establishments is better than having a “virtual” church.

A church is meant to be a community. God didn't make Adam and a smartphone. He made Adam and Eve to co-exist together, and live and speak with each other for a reason. As part of the body of God, they both were made to exchange ideas and live in harmony with the real world.

When we go to a “real church,” we do a lot of that. We speak with friends and other believers, we laugh and cry together, we celebrate God and co-exist in the same environment, testifying the love of God with many others in church. Over time, we tend to start caring for each other and serving in projects for the Lord in our real communities. I am not sure if the former is able to be done in a “virtual church.”

We are churchgoers because we believe in the principles of our church denomination, the weekly activities of our congregation, and the message that is delivered by our pastor every Sunday morning.

I don't foresee our family compromising on our core religious beliefs, what our social activities should be and in ignoring the teachings of our pastor because of technology. I am not saying that technology can't be a part of what we call “the church experience” in the near future, but to assume that perishable “machinery" will replace an important and necessary establishment, the brick and mortar church, is overrated.

With things being fair, the advent of cyber live streams have helped tons of believers and unbelievers to hear the word of God which advances the idea that parts of the church could be done online. I totally agree that social media posts on twitter are here to stay and will continue to have an impact on how we share the gospel in our communities and beyond. I just don't think that an internet church is ever going to replace the essence of what we belief, the way we engage in play and how leaders of the church use their gifts to influence others in a godly way. The former has to be done in a brick and mortar church.

Maybe some principles can be taught using video-sharing technology, but do you really think that we can explain salvation to unbelievers without the many non-verbal communication codes that we know about? How about explaining the gift of charisma to someone over a smartphone?

When I was a kid, I used to go to soccer games in my former country of Brazil. The feeling you experience when going to the stadium can’t be replicated by watching an online feed. When 150,000 people are simultaneously jumping in a soccer stadium, especially after a goal, the feeling? You never forget. Things shake, you sweat in happiness, scream and smile!

When we “attend” church over the internet, the music doesn't touch us the same way, we can’t experience what others are experiencing, and the atmosphere of worship is never the same. The church experience simply isn't there.

I would argue that believing that technology can always replicate reality can have disastrous consequences in the lives of many, especially troubled people. Belonging to a real church is part of what “living a good life” is all about.

Social media may be a great tool for sharing photos and keeping in contact with old friends and family, but when it comes to developing good morals and raising a family, a brick and mortar church is a necessity.

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(About the writer: Dr. Luis C. Almeida is an associate professor of communication at Lee University and TEDx speaker. He is the author of the book, “Becoming a Brand: The Rise of Technomoderation,” and a devoted Christian. He can be reached via his website at luiscalmeida.info.)