BY BOB MIMS
The Salt Lake City Tribune
The Rev. Rusty Weller,
forced by failing health to resign his pastorate, found himself depressed and
without a flock three years ago. Then, he says, God spoke to him -- through his
personal computer.
The result was the "Sonrise Worship
Service," a virtual church offering Internet links to everything
from online hymns, sermons and Sunday School to the most universal rite of
Christendom: a self-serve Holy Communion (bread and wine not included).
"The Communion page and online worship service were inspired in response to
prayer during a time of deep despair," the 53-year-old Southern Baptist minister
said. "I poured out my heart to God and suddenly felt the overpowering urge to
wipe my eyes and construct the [Web] sites."
What happened next, he
believes, was a cyber-miracle. "I felt the Holy Spirit take over my fingers on
the keyboard, and I let him create," Weller said.
First to go online was
his "Sonrise Service" (www.holy-city.org/Sonrise/service.htm), which opens with a
selection of church music and the invitation, "No need to wait for Sunday to
worship! Please join 'The Write Answer' staff in a unique online service." The
menu includes sermons and a selection of hymns, as well as online Bibles.
And then there is "The Lord's Supper: Online Communion" link (www.holy-city/Sonrise/
Communion.htm). The page opens with a depiction of the Last
Supper and the admonition not to enter into the sacrament without
"soul-searching and a time of reflection." It continues with prayers and
illustrated step-by-step instructions for taking the Communion bread and
wine.
Weller acknowledges the idea of cyber- Communion might raise some
Christian eyebrows, but believes he was divinely directed to include the rite on
his Web site.
"I believe as the Internet becomes an entertainment
alternative on living room TV screens along with network shows and cable movies,
churches have a wonderful opportunity to offer several hours of Godly
programming for their families," he said.
Nonetheless, this pastor of bits
and bytes insists his ministry is not a substitute for real-world churches
occupied by worshippers of flesh and bone. "I don't know what purpose the Lord
has in mind, but I don't think it's for us to forsake meeting together," he
said.
Still, for those without a church, between churches or unable to get
out of their homes to attend Sunday services, there remains the Sonrise Worship
Service.
Through the Internet, Weller believes other Christian computer
users will soon join him in offering an array of religious courses, streaming
audio sermons and messages, prayer rooms, testimony "and, yes, worship and
Communion for shut-ins."
As for potential critics? "I just do as
directed," he said, "and let God handle any flak."
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