The Cause Creates the Effect
The Cause:
Stay at home order ( quarantine ) suggested by the CDC, issued by the government
Effect:
People enjoy the Stay at Home worship experience.
Effect:
Innovative Pastors in many small churches have risen to the occasion and have used the days of quarantine to implement new technology in an attempt to reach out to the people of their congregations.
Effect:
Many Churches have launched new ways of connecting with people, which has been a good thing.
But here’s the thing. Many church members are enjoying their newly found “I Can Do Church Anytime” and New at Home Sunday schedules, (MAYBE A BIT TOO MUCH!)
Effect:
The convenience of worshipping at home in front of the computer, a tablet, or television has become what many are calling the “new normal” of church life.
That fact is causing many church leaders to think about the possible answers to a specific question,
“Will People Come Back To Active, In-Person Church Attendance Following The COVID-19 Crisis?”
And before the stay at home orders are rescinded ….It’s hard to tell what church ministry will look like….. after the current practice of social distancing is lifted.
There are some projections indicating, that the new habit of watching church services at home will continue after the current stay-in-place orders are lifted.
The fact is this:
Lots of people don’t feel safe in public places anymore and most people like the new found comfort and freedom to watch services on their own schedule in the privacy of their own homes.
Others projections forecast that Christians are missing the fellowship with other believers and the corporate worship experience SO MUCH, that they will be waiting with great expectation being with other believers in person again.
Let us remember, The Church Is God’s Work
Even though No one knows exactly what the church will look like once the current practice of social distancing is over. Some are predicting difficult times ahead for churches. Others are saying the church will come back stronger than ever.
I believe the most important thing to remember is that The Church Is God’s Idea and it is His Work in the world today (Matthew 16:18 / Acts 2: 44 - 47). He is certainly able to take care of His church and help the church weather whatever circumstances life may throw at her.
Here are a few reasons I believe Real Christians... TRUE BELIEVERS... Those who have an understanding of what the scriptures say…will know the truth of Why Corporate Worship and Church gatherings are so important .
Scripture tells us in Hebrews 10:22-25 (NKJV)
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us considerone another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching
So in order to stir you up…..let me say …
Our concern of losing fellowship with the Saints should be greater than the fear of what the government may say or do about when and where we meet.
According to the scripture. Acts 5:27-29 (NKJV)
And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, saying, "Did we not strickly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us! But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men."
As God’s people should be so greatly missing the connections and fellowship with other believers who are Like Minded, Like Hearted, and of the same Faith, it should cause a new and greater desire and longings in our spirit to be assembled together again and reconnected with the body of Christ in Corporate Worship again.
We should all pray during this extended time of social distancing …..that the Spirit of God will develop in us the desire for Christ-fellowship and the Heart to be present in the Heart of Corporate Worship once again.
Serving by His Calling, Pastor T.
