Gathering beyond Walls

Okay, my friends- Extrovert here. While I enjoy a time of social isolation every now and then to just recharge- I'll be honest- I love being around people, talking to people, interacting with people. Thankfully in today's world of internet and social media, there are actually several ways that I can still communicate with family and friends, many that I have already participated in already. For instance, I regularly talk to friends and family through phone calls, facetime, and even joint devotional times through the Youversion Bible App, were we can all do the same devotion, and even have a group chat feature at the end of how the devotion spoke to us that day. Wednesday, I went live on Facebook and did youth programs in front of one of our youth leaders who was running the camera while maintaining the appropriate social distancing distance. Even though there were no kiddos there, I still enjoyed just thinking of the kiddos (and adults) who could and even were (thank you to live comments) watching it live, and even afterward too. That inspired me. The whole thought of virtual church meetings, virtual pastoral care, and virtual interaction with our people has been a challenge that can seem confounding, and even nonbiblical. Some may think of the words of Hebrews 10:25, which says “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” However, when reading this verse in light of recent events I found myself looking at it from a different perspective. There is a popular saying that says “The Church is not a building”, and for today I think we can even approach it by saying the Ministry of Presence doesn’t always require someone to be physically present. You don’t have to physically give someone a hug to find a way to send them the same reassurance that a warm embrace does. Matthew 18:20 says “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” If we can trust that promise, that Jesus will be with us when we gather in His name, can we not also trust that He will continue to honor His promises, even if circumstances permit us from physically gathering, but yet still gathering together, thanks to inventions of modern technology. Along those lines, during classes about counseling, and how it can be conducted through a telephone and video services, I started to think further. What if we as the church, the body, ever-moving, have not been able to fully see that, where once the traffic on the streets was the place to carry the ministry, the traffic of people online can also be evangelistic outreach just as well. So my friends, if you want to have someone come together with you, to gather together, while adhering to social distancing (as an asthmatic who takes precautions anytime the word flu or respiratory virus comes out) I would love to come together, to gather with you as we seek our Father, and know that Jesus will be there too as we pray- together in Heart and Spirit, even if we are apart physically. There are multiple ways we can keep in contact with one another, thought Facebook groups, Facebook group chats- including video ones, google hangouts, zoom- and probably many more than that as well. Stay well and God Bless my friends!