In March, the switch was flipped off, the lights went dim…worship services everywhere were abruptly and discouragingly canceled. For more than 8 weeks, our only interaction with others in the body of Christ has been through virtual channels.
I don’t know about you, but I have missed the warm interactions with my brothers and sisters in Christ! There’s just something about being together physically, as the Lord designed and intended for the church, that brings peace and tranquility to the heart and encourages the soul!
Online worship has served us well, but it should in no way be considered a permanent substitute to in-person worship and Bible teaching.
There’s nothing quite like looking our brothers and sisters in the eye and feeding off of each other’s love and devotion to the Lord. The beautify of sharing burdens, hearing each other’s testimonies, and praying for each other in a physical assembly has no equal.
Computer to computer is NOT the same as heart to heart!
So, on May 31st, we’ll use a dimmer switch to turn the lights back on – slooooooowly. We’ll enter into Phase 1 of our regathering efforts. We’ll meet for corporate worship outside in the parking area, directly in front of the church.
As we regather, here’s what we expect that to look like for now:
- Families should sit and stay together as a family unit during worship.
- Each family should sit at least 6 feet apart from other families.
- Handshakes and neck hugs should be replaced by high fives or elbow bumps.
- Should weather force us unto the building, the café and children’s areas will be unavailable for access.
- While we’ll enjoy coming back together again, we’ll keep services short for a season so as to limit our time together.
- We ask that those in high-risk categories or those with underlying heath conditions continue to worship with us online.
- If you are sick or running a fever or have been around anyone who has had the coronavirus, please stay home and worship with us online.
With that in mind, let me say that I fully expect the Lord to bring us back to the normal we’ve always known. I’m not buying the idea that we must accept a “new normal.” The church is a place where God’s people can come together for encouragement, support, shelter, and love. It’s a place where we should be comfortable and at home.
I am trusting the Lord to bring us, in His timing, to a place where our only thought in the house of worship is just that – worship. Friends, there’s no “Gone Out of Business” sign on God’s door! Let’s trust Him, by faith, to free our society of this dreaded pandemic and restore the relaxed, intimate comforts of assembly that we all know and love.
Church, remember this:
The assembly of the saints is essential to our spiritual health. If Walmart and the corner liquor store are essential, then most assuredly, the house of the Lord is an essential gathering place.
We can't eliminate risk, ever. There will always be risks associated with going to church – there always has been, and always will be. But it’s my prayer that we all get to a point where we see that the benefits of assembling together as God’s people far outweighs the risks.
Our spiritual health is just as important as our physical health, and we can’t be spiritual healthy if we’re not meeting together as the Great Physician has prescribed.
Indeed, we want to be careful and cautious. We should take our time and gradually bring the lights back up with a dimmer switch. But make no mistake, the lights should come back up! Fully! I’m trusting and waiting on the Lord to do just that. He’s always faithful, and I believe He’ll show Himself faithful in this area, as well.
I, for one, look forward to our spiritual reunion as the saints of God! Pastors are not only entrusted to look after the physical wellbeing of the saints, but also their spiritual wellbeing. Know that the elders take this matter seriously and will take all the necessary precautions to provide a safe meeting place for the saints. However, we do think that the time has come for God’s people to seek out the benefits that can only be found in in-person, corporate worship.
For those who are ready, willing, and physically able, we look forward to worshiping with you on May 31st. To the rest of you, we look forward to worshiping together sometime in the very near future. Until then, may the Lord richly bless you and your family, and keep you safe in His grip!
In His Service,
Pastor Myke