A Socially Distanced Church
Some of us don’t know what we’ll do if this isn’t over soon. Others would be just fine if this lasted a while longer. Regardless of our preferences created by things like our introverted tendencies or perhaps our financial situation, how should we think about gathering during this season as a socially distanced church?
Step One: Don’t Get Too Comfortable.
Online church and virtual community is not the best way to experience biblical community; it’s not really even a good way. The limitations of doing fellowship and corporate worship online have stretched some of us in ways for which we might end up being grateful. Our churches have had to creatively pull-off the various aspects of discipleship and care, and in some cases sharpening our own philosophy or methods of ministry. That said, the conveniences and comforts of this season are nothing to be taken lightly, as they have a way of spoiling us and putting us back on our heals.
It has been easy for all of us (and in some ways forced upon us) to invest less time, less attention, less energy and few resources in our local church or Gospel ministry in general. To be clear, I pray Christians embrace this season as sort of an obligatory sabbath. But Monday morning is coming. This slow pace will end and we will need our church family in all its glory - holding hands, eating together, a shoulder to lean on, praying together and, depending on your culture, maybe even a “holy kiss” (2 Cor. 13:12). So as we long to be reunited, it would do us some good to think of ourselves as the church scattered, with a newfound committed to missional impact - even if it is from 6’ away or from behind a screen.
Step Two: Pick up a lexicon.
The Greek word for “church” is “ekklesia,” which means “the gathering” or “those who have been gathered.” While our physical separation has been necessary and while we are making the most of a less-than-ideal situation, we must understand that “online church” has, from day-one, been a contradiction in terms - an oxymoron. Being together virtually is ultimately no substitute for gathering together physically. Whether we are sharing a place of worship, a pew, a living room or a dinner table, our geographic unity is an invaluable manifestation of our spiritual unity in Christ.
We fulfill our identity as a church ultimately by being together. In the Bible, Christian interaction is detailed by more than 30 unique “one-another” commands - forgive one-another, bear with one-another, encourage one-another, and so on. We must admit that these cannot be done best from afar. And some cannot be done at all. There is something innate to who we are as relational creatures that craves proximity and presence, and this is only heightened for us who are united by the same Spirit. And in our day of individualization and isolation (which is only made worse by social distancing) we must fight to be who, by definition, we are - the gathering! This is because we believe that only when we are together can we experience the fullest expression on love and community Christ generously offers us in His Church.
I don’t know about you, but I echo what Paul writes to His brothers and sisters in the city of Thessalonica…
1 Thessalonians 2:17 - “…But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face…”