What's Going On - Think Positively - April 5, 2022
What’s Going On? Thinking Positively
It is not difficult to come up with a list of things that pandemic-life has brought us, which we won’t miss for a minute. But let’s take some time to think of what we have learned that we could keep using beyond the pandemic. It reminds me of how in the book of Acts, persecution scattered the church and as the apostles went, they spread the word. Persecution is horrible, but God used the result to move his mission forward.
You may not all share this first one with me, but I have learned the value of an on-line meeting. Not for local meetings so much, but there are plenty of meetings I have with people across the continent that happen well and regularly at no cost because we are easily able to meet together online. There are now events that I might not drive to or fly to, nor stay in a hotel to attend, but I would take in the content and experience online. Zoom has become a word that no longer means “go fast” and online has become a secondary option for connecting, even if it can never replace meeting in person.
Connected to this is the ongoing reality of online worship. Here at Mountainview online worship was already a reality before Covid. While some communities have considered stopping their livestream to encourage people to return to in-person worship, I think that for us, online worship is a necessary alternative to allow those who cannot come to 290 Main St E physically, to join in anyway. (You will notice I did not say “cannot come to church”. Feel free to join me in trying to eradicate that statement from our common use as we emphasize the more biblical image of being the church wherever you are.)
Another keeper from this Covid era is the reduction of printed paper products. We have all become used to something we could have done a decade ago: receiving our church information digitally. These are hard changes to make when there is no pressure, but now that most of us have gotten used to it, we will stay a less-paper, even if not paperless, community. We may have to repurpose our mail-slots or move them to the place we store our rotary phones as a reminder of days gone by.
The offering jar is, in my opinion, another pandemic-pivot we should keep. As more and more people give on-line, the in-service offering was giving the impression that most people didn’t give, as the bag or plate (I don’t even know which Mountainview has!) was passed on without people contributing. This too could have been done years ago, but the pandemic has moved us along.
Now we are still trying to figure out communion. The meaning behind a common loaf and common cup is excellent, but most of us are now virusaphobes (apparently not a word yet, but you get the idea) and uninterested in sharing in such a hands-on way just yet. We will try a couple of things over Easter weekend and adjust as necessary to make it both meaningful and safe at the same time. Fear not, the difficult-to-open-styrofoam-bread deal will not be the long-term solution!
Finally, a bigger-picture item: home discipleship. The reality is that faith has always been predominantly formed at home. Social-distancing restrictions forced all of us to do more of this. So hopefully we have learned more about what our role is in discipleship away from our shared building and the events held there. This is not to say that there is no role for corporate or group gatherings. It is just an opportunity to re-imagine how faith grows. More on this as our new discipleship pastor is found and brought on board.
Final finally: what if sometimes we don’t have refreshments in the fellowship gymnatorium after worship? What if sometimes we encourage everyone to invite other someones over to their homes for refreshments and conversation? This is not new: it is a throwback. And this is not a keeper from Covid since we were encouraged not to do this. But we have learned that when we “have to” we can adapt in wonderful ways. Why not adapt in a way that helps build community?
When I write these things, they are always an invitation to ask questions and to wonder together. Feel free to respond and comment, to encourage and support, or carefully challenge. These are my observations and opinions. What are yours?
Pastor Erick