Imagine sitting around on comfy chairs, drinking tea and eating cake in the company of friends. Someone introduces a new topic with the familiar words, ‘So, I have a question…’ A pleasurable half an hour is spent discussion and debate. Eventually someone opens their bible and starts pointing out relevant texts. Another person remembers something they’d read that relates to the issue. Someone cracks a joke. Everyone leaves the table with their minds sharpened and their understanding deepened.

Now imagine all that without the tea, the cake and the comfy chairs. Disappointing, isn’t it? But with one huge advantage - the participants in this discussion can be separated by huge distances. They may never even have met. How much have we to learn from each other!