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1. Thursday morning ramblings: The internet and social media, for all its gifts, make it really difficult to be in community. These challenges are acute for christian communities/local churches.
2. We are no longer formed and shaped locally with and by people we know. We are formed and shaped by online voices/personalities that we self-select. Then we expect our local communities/churches to conform to what the internet has taught us to believe.
3. A classic example: COVID-19 is a government hoax, just watch this video I found on the internet! Well, have you consulted your primary care physician who sits on the second pew or the hospitalist who hands you a bulletin?
4. I guess this all boils down to who/what is the authority in your life and why have you chosen those figures to be authoritative?
5. Who/what is the authority in your life when it comes to God, justice, moral direction, and theological beliefs?
6. Some will say "the Bible." Okay. How? Personal study/devotion? What happens when there is disagreement over interpretation? Some will say "experience" or "the Holy Spirit."
7. Okay. But what do you do (once again) when there is disagreement? Some will say, "I consult trusted theologians/pastors." Okay. How did you choose these people? Why do you trust them? Do you know them personally?
8. The church is meant to be a discerning community -- reading scripture together, listening for the Spirit, submitting to authority, and recognizing gifts.
9. But we are no longer formed and shaped locally or communally. Christians are now rogue actors piecing together their discernment as they go all on their own. The result is a confused mass of conflict.
10. It makes formation of a faithful community incredibly difficult and discipleship near impossible.
