Ridgell's Originals

 Let me start by stating that this is not a criticism of church decisions.  I know churches that never really stopped meeting in person.  Smaller groups.  Masks.  Social distancing.  Even more services to keep the crowds down.  I know churches that stopped, started, stopped, started, ... well, you get the point.  And I even know churches that stopped early and haven't started back yet.

But I do want to remind all of us why meeting together matters.  Small or large.  Living rooms or auditoriums.  But it matters.

And none of this has to do with preaching by video.  Some guys are amazing at this.  Some of us are...  not amazing.  

But we need to see each other.  Communion is our shared sermon.  It is a reminder that we are not alone in this.  There are others committed to declaring that Jesus died and rose again.  It is powerful when done in community.  Even watching my brothers and sisters partake is meaningful to me.

We need to sing together.  I know you can sing along with the video.  I know some churches are doing their music by video even in person.  I know some are cautious about the dangers of singing in groups.  So sing in your mask.  Sing socially distanced.  Sing with the recorded music.  But sing.  Listening to others raise their voice in praise inspires us.  God's people have always sung together.  David and psalms.  Jesus at the Supper.  The early church together from their heart.  

We need to see each other.  Seeing you reminds me to pray for you.  Seeing you lets me remember your story.  Seeing you lets me say "I love you,", or "how are you doing?"  And you can see my eyes and know that I mean it.  

We need to touch.  The holy kiss.  If you don't want to shake hands, then fist bump. Or elbow bump.  Laying on hands at arm's length.  Back pats.  It matters.

But isn't some of this risky?  Probably.  Maybe.  I don't know.

Is it worth thinking about how to do this?  Yes.  

Hard questions.  

Loving God.  Loving each other.  Loving our neighbors.  Witness.  

This is personal for us too.  My Mom is 90.  She wants to go to church.  I think we are.

I am starting to get asked to speak at churches again.  Different places.  Flying.  Meeting people that are not in my neighborhood.

Neighbors starting to go to church.  Starting -- or restarting -- spiritual journeys.

I am not smart enough to know all the answers.

But I do know God designed us to worship in community.  

May God bless us all as we seek to worship Him, serve others, and make disciples.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM