Online Worship

Definition and Meaning

Online worship is a practice in which a church streams its worship service live, or records it and distributes it over the internet, while church members take part from home or another location. Because participants do not gather in the same place, it is also called non-face-to-face worship; because they take part by video, it is also called video worship. By contrast, worship in which the congregation gathers in a church building is called in-person worship (literally, "face-to-face worship").

Biblical and Historical Background

The Bible does not directly address online worship. Those who accept online worship sometimes cite John 4:21-24, which emphasizes the heart of the worshiper over the place of worship, and Colossians 2:5, where Paul writes that though he is absent in the flesh, he is with the believers in spirit. Those who regard the gathering itself as essential cite Hebrews 10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is," to stress the importance of meeting together.

Conveying worship through media was not new. Christian radio and television had long broadcast sermons and worship services, and from the 2000s onward many churches posted sermon videos on their websites and on video-sharing platforms. Such videos, however, generally served as a supplementary means for those unable to attend.

Practice in Korean Churches

When the government restricted gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many Korean churches moved their Lord's Day services online. Megachurches made use of their existing broadcast equipment, while some small churches began streaming for the first time, often using mobile phones. Restrictions on in-person worship led to conflict between some churches and public health authorities.

As online worship became widespread, several issues emerged:

• The communal nature of worship: Churches differ on whether worship in front of a screen can take the place of worship offered together as a community.
• The sacraments: Denominations and theologians were divided over whether the Lord's Supper and baptism can be administered online. This question is discussed in detail in the article Online Communion.
• Offerings and fellowship: Remote offerings, such as bank transfers, increased, and some churches began holding small group meetings by video conference to sustain fellowship among members.

After public health restrictions were lifted, most churches resumed in-person worship. Many, however, continue to stream their services for members with limited mobility or those who live far away. The growing number of people who do not belong to any church but instead choose among various churches' online services has also been discussed in connection with the "Canaan believers" phenomenon (professing Christians who no longer attend church).