by Henry Knapp
This is the first, but certainly not the last, time you will hear me say this—please, oh please, do not get used to this. By “this”, of course, I mean the current state of our ministries here at Hebron, and, specifically, the way we are worshipping together.
Now, if you have been back to worship during this COVID time, I hope that you were pleasantly surprised. Of course, there will be those who are saddened (as we are) at the changes and directives we have necessarily put in place. But, overall, those who have joined us in worship over the past months have expressed a joy and gladness at being together, and particularly in praising the glory of Christ together. We have been worshipping with about 150 people in our three services—properly social-distanced when seated and masked when exiting and entering. We are meeting Thursday night at 7:00 pm and at 10:00 am Sunday in both the sanctuary and Barclay.
However, I have heard from a number of people that they are just not ready to come back yet. It is obviously true that concerns about COVID need to be taken into account—many in our congregation need to be very cautious about coming into public spaces. But, for some, I fear that there is a lethargy about getting back into the routine of worship on Sunday as part of God’s people. Some folks have appreciated how hard we have worked to put together a quality service online (thank you!) and are willing to settle for that. Some are unwilling to come back to Hebron until we are functioning completely as we were pre-COVID. Others are just waiting for the right moment.
Brothers and sisters, NOW may very well be that right moment. (I say this recognizing that for some there are legitimate COVID limits on what you can and should do.) As our society opens up and people begin to re-engage in areas of life, I ask you to remember: our God desires our corporate worship. Worship is not an optional activity for the Christian. Because we live in a society where there is very little absolutely mandated (death and taxes!), it would be easy to think that to worship corporately or not is simply another choice you get to make. But, please, think about that. Our God does not just desire our worship, He commands us to worship together that He might inhabit our worship and grace us with the gift of His presence.
For the believer, what could possibly be more important than the appropriate, eager, glad-hearted praise and adoration of our Savior alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ? Is work or school or “me-time” or even family really more crucial for our Christian life than our worship? When I put it that way, I’m sure most of you are saying, “No! Worshipping Christ must be the center of my life!”
But does that mean returning to corporate worship at church? Can’t you worship just as faithfully on your sofa, watching the service online? I would strongly encourage you to think that through well. Is worship just information transference? If so, then sure, listening at home online might be just as good. But, worship is not just learning; there is more to worship than the sermon, more than just thinking involved. Can we worship all by ourselves or only with family? For sure. But, is that the model upheld in Scripture? An undeniable part of the beauty of the New Testament Church is the radical nature of a diverse community coming to worship together as one.
Of course, the Church through the ages has had to adjust to the cultural setting it finds itself in—as we did this past Spring by shifting to an online format. That was, I believe, a necessary response to our current situation. But, please, do not get used to this. God desires our worship, and the overwhelming biblical picture of worship is the people of God gathering together to praise and adore our Savior.
Let me be clear (if you’ve read this far!): I am not shaming anyone about when to return to corporate worship. We cannot ignore COVID, and each must make wise and faithful choices, discerning what is best. All I am encouraging is that we remember our highest priority; we have been called to worship Christ. That calling is not optional. Now for a little while we might need to worship in an unusual form—either online or together socially distanced—but, the command to worship God remains. It is our greatest gift, to know and worship Jesus Christ our Lord together as His bride and body. May we long for this always.
