Clay in the Hands

In my last post, I talked about how the pandemic forced our church – and most churches – to move to an online presence. Prior to the pandemic, gathering in person was the primary experience of most church attenders. To say that the disruption changed the way we worship would be a gross understatement. The change definitely affected our worship but it had additional, possibly even more damaging effects as well.

Humans are, by nature, relational beings. The isolation forced by the pandemic resulted in many unhealthy outcomes – increased depression and other mental health issues, anger, frustration, loneliness and crime rates. As it pertains to the church, the unhealthy outcome continues to linger. Instead of returning to the family, connecting online has become the norm for many.

We live in such a consumer driven culture that having access to “church on my terms” has just been easier. We can connect with thousands of churches while at the gym or on a break. We can listen to sermons and worship music while we drive. We can tune in to a Bible study any time we want. We can even watch a service in our pajamas on the sofa with a cup of coffee.

While moving to that platform was crucial to keeping our family together, it does not take the place of the relationships that make the church what it is – the family of God. The writer of Hebrews warned his readers that becoming distracted and wandering from the faith is a real danger. Therefore we are to encourage each other daily. He went on to say in Hebrews 10:24-25,  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I know that online church has become the norm for many. But when we forsake the gathering we not only deprive ourselves of needed relationships and the encouragement those relationships offer, we do the same to others in the family.

It’s time to come back to church.