I am New, and I Have No Clue!!
Explain TFVC To Me
TFVC was created to promote, and provide an avenue for those with limited access to traditional worship experiences.
We seek to create an environment that fosters the idea of worship not being restricted to specific days, or spaces; rather open, and available whenever time is allowed.
We believe at TFVC, it is unjust to blame, or make anyone feel ashamed, because the stresses of live prevent them from maintaining the historical ideals of religion. Instead doing everything we can to promote the great significance of our creator.
1 Kings 8:27, explains it like such “But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!”
We at TFVC believe in physical gatherings amongst believers in local settings, while also taking the position, that because of modern ways of communicating, (I.E. technology) we are allowed to as Isaiah declared. (Isaiah 54:2-3) Enlarge your house; build an addition. Spread out your home, and spare no expense! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will occupy other nations and resettle the ruined cities.
This also best explains what Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 28, in what we in church know as The Great Commission.
“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you.”
We believe our tasks comes from the prophet Isaiah No. 61:1-3:
“The Spirit of God, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, Announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace— a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies— and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a weak spirit.”
History of TFVC
The First Virtual Church was created as a response to COVID 19. Prior we had created an annual event, known simply as “The Sunrise Service”.
The mission was to each Easter Sunday, gather with members of the Greater Norfolk community at a cozy spot on the Elizabeth River. It was designed to promote fellowship, and awareness of how to best engage civically, and politically.
The goal during Covid was to find away to simply not cancel the service; but what followed shook us.
It was revealed how many people the church at large, either forgot, or just chose not to engage.
Even before Covid, the world had changed. The obligations of the average household, made attending weekly physical services nearly impossible.
Then there were those with limited mobility, aka “The Seniors” who were once Pilar’s of local assemblies, but are now unable to continue the work they once did.
So TFVC took to task, making it our mission to provide an access point for all to worship. We sought to create an atmosphere that made worshipping wherever not just possible, but intimate.
No longer was it about how we connect everyone to us within the walls, but how do we create those personal, moments whether in the living room, or in the break room.
Making it loud and clear. TFVC is A community of believers, regardless of where you are, or what you’re going through”
Explain this Logo To Me
This logo has five distinct features, defining who we are, and what we do as a community of faith.
The cross. This serves as the centerpiece of our faith, that everything we do begins and ends with the cross of Jesus.
The fire. This represents the coming of the Holy Spirit; whose mission is to continually, empower us to effectively live the Christian life.
The globe, resting on a cloud, Which represents our assignment, as commanded first to the inaugural disciples, in Matthew 28. This suggests, our missions is to make disciples of all men, as we await the return of Jesus.
The letter V. This represents the reality of our being separated by geography, yet just like a tree, each branch individually, and many times indivisibly pulls his strength from the same foundation.
The red stringy lines. This represents the blood, which streamed down from the cross, which once it hits the fire, fuels our passion, our purpose, and advances the kingdom of God.
Talk about down the Road at the Church
The First Virtual Church seeks to be one of its kind. Continually evolving to meet the needs of an advancing world.
TFVC will promote, build, and advance local communities, as well provide room for the empowering of localized traditions of assembling. However TFVC itself does not seek to become a physical institution.
When you think of the Apostle Paul. He had various churches under his care. The church at:
Corinth
Ephesus
Philippi
Thessaloniki
Just to name a few. All of them were unique, individual institutions, yet called Paul their pastor. In today’s reality, Paul would have been considered The Bishop, or the spiritual covering.
In that vain, TFVC seeks to strengthen the idea that worship is not limited, and how we do so should not be restricted.
Many who participate in TFVC may have memberships at other religious institutions. This is not only accepted, but encouraged.
We do not seek to make strong members, but effective disciples.