LONDON--The latest parish to join The Church of England has no building. The first Internet parish, www.i-church.com, has been established to minister to "cyber-worshippers."
According to a Reuters report, the church is now searching for a virtual vicar. The diocese of Oxford is advertising for a "Web pastor" to oversee the upcoming launch of the online church.
The site indicates the church is for people who cannot or will not join a regular parish. The minister of the Web church will answer to the Bishop of Oxford. Qualifications include a familiarity with the Internet and optional ministerial education.
"We are looking for a dynamic, confident Christian (lay or ordained) who is able to build this new community, lead its core members, and be available to visitors to the site," the call for a minister reads.
"You will need excellent communication skills and the ability to work creatively in a new and untested environment."
According to ITV News, the Internet church is part of the ministry's "Cutting Edge" program and was spawned by the Diocese's director of communication, the Rev. Richard Thomas.
"The Church of England is rightly proud of its commitment to the whole community," Rev. Thomas said.
"As the Internet is a growing part of that community, we would be failing in our mission if we didn't provide a spiritual community for people who relate with each other primarily through the Internet," he said.
The Web site claims to offer online daily worship, a reading for the day and prayers, once it is up and running.





