In the current issue of Modern Reformation (July/August 2015), Andrew M. Davis writes in “The Gardeners” (pp 27-31):
[This] abundance of resources has not come without a corresponding danger—that individual Christians will consider themselves sufficiently fed by celebrity pastors and leaders (living or dead), and will feel no need for covenant membership in a healthy local church. There is a new generation of anonymous, isolated cyber-disciples rising… I want to make a case for covenant membership in a healthy New Testament church as the God-ordained pattern for true discipleship, for true progress to Christ-like maturity.
Today, there is a worldwide church with millions of members around the world. They gather for “worship,” to hear preaching and teaching from various pastors and teachers worldwide. No, I’m not talking about a single megachurch that has satellites around the world. I’m talking about Facebook Fellowship of Cyber-Disciples. These are those who turn on their smartphones, tablets, computers and the like to read posts, listen to “Christian” music and preaching and teaching. Any day and anywhere. Alone, or with their families, or with a few friends.
Cyber-disciples abound in so much of evangelicalism today. Occasionally going to megachurches to feel their need to be entertained and have fun, they are dumbfounded when invited to become a member of a healthy local church: “Why? I can worship alone in my room. The church doesn’t save. I love Jesus, and that’s all that matters.” Because of Biblical illiteracy, they will never taste and see the benefits of church membership over Facebook Fellowship of Cyber-Disciples:
