Pastor Nick Robinson, left, and Dean O’Neal pose for a photo in the media operation office at Asbury United Methodist Church in Columbus on Aug. 7. The church is launching a weekly steaming worship service for people that don’t attend services in person.
Pastor Nick Robinson offers a message for people currently attending what some Christians facetiously refer to as Bedside Baptist — those sleeping in on Sunday mornings and skipping in-person worship services.
There is another way of actively seeking God and wrestling with issues of faith beyond walking through the door of a church. That way is known as the half-hour, eventually weekly streaming program called “The Conversation” that the local Asbury United Methodist Church is launching in the next month on theconversationcommunity.org. A YouTube channel also will be established.
The theme is based upon the fact that Robinson will be in conversation at noon Thursdays with fellow local United Methodist clergy Pastor Rebecca Milne from Petersville United Methodist and Pastor Paul Dazet from Sandy Hook United Methodist.
Other guests may join them from time to time, and there are plans for taped musical segments. And the added idea is that viewers may never attend in-person services, but can find meaning in some element of worship and teaching rather than none at all. There will be a way for people not only to post thoughts, but eventually video clip reactions and sharing.
Plus, the eventual plan is to organize an online small group.
Coordinating the church studio production and related technical aspects is Asbury member Dean O’Neal, a veteran freelance photojournalist who has worked for entities ranging from the NFL to major national news outlets. A room at Asbury includes cameras and other needed equipment where the program will be recorded.
An annual grant of $25,000 for the next three years from the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church is funding the effort.
“Some people find that they can be more open in online relationships than in-person relationships,” Robinson said. “And so part of launching an online community is to, No. 1, give people a chance to connect at all.
“Because if, you know our brick and mortar services, we have two worship times and we have Wednesday night activities. But people are busy — very busy. And so we’re giving people not only a place where they might be able to be more open and vulnerable, but also a place where they can do that and actually fit it in their schedule.
“So, I’m hoping it’s a gift for people. … And this definitely will not be designed for the ‘most religious’ person.”
The concept is modeled after Pastor Justin Cason’s online service called “The Couch” affiliated with Monticello United Methodist Church. Cason is a friend of Robinson.
“We believe that God will meet us here, online, and the best way for you to be engaged in this community is by commenting to let us know your thoughts, questions, hopes, and prayers!” reads a recent Facebook post about “The Couch.”
Milne, among the youngest pastors locally and known for deftly using humor in her messages for serious points, has significant hopes for the Columbus-based program.
“I am praying for The Conversation to bring a sense of belonging to those who need a place to land — and for it to foster empathy and growth,” she said. “I want to learn alongside those I converse with, and invite others to join in.”
Robinson mentioned that launching the concept here came after elder consideration, extensive planning and prayer.
“This is based on the belief that online relationships matter, digital is real, and it all counts,” Robinson said. “I think that this gives people choices and options.”
Robinson knows what it means to hurt deeply. That, in part, fuels his passion for outreach — especially to those who may be hesitant about trusting a church with emotional struggles, particularly if the struggling person views Christians as simplistic.
“At one point in my life in the past, I was suicidal for 10-plus years,” Robinson said. “And a lot of people said, ‘Well if you just pray to Jesus then it will be fixed. … I mean, my relationship with Jesus has been a part of my fix, but there’s psychiatrists and counselors and pastors and regular relationships have all been a part of helping me be in a healthier place.”
O’Neal is excited about the ministry possibilities with the new program.
“I’m all about the path that God has put me on,” O’Neal said. “It’s like, okay, this is pretty interesting. And so I think that I’m anxious to see what kind of path our website and production can put people on.”
Robinson made clear that Asbury’s traditional service and its contemporary service remain as solid as ever.
“We’re not giving up on our brick-and-mortar church at all,” he said. “… What’s sacred,” he said, “is the mission, not the method.”
Check out the website
The in-progress website for The Conversation is theconversationcommunity.org.
