Give Me Church
For two weeks this year, our family was unable to attend our church in person, so we watched the live stream. It was prompted by positive COVID tests (no worries, we’re vaccinated and had few symptoms).
As I opened my computer and cast the live stream to the TV, a thought crossed my mind: Ok, give me church!
Why?
Well, the motions were identical to turning on Netflix the night before. Sit down on the couch, click the remote, and enjoy the show. Click-whir, here’s a Pavlovian expectation of TV entertainment.
Perhaps the only difference is that when I sing along to Encanto, my family asks me to stop, but when I sing along with the worship music, everyone else joins in. (Or they are singing loudly in order to drown me out, I haven’t asked).
Now if you’re disabled, home-bound, immunocompromised, or otherwise unable to attend church in person, I see you. I understand that this is a meaningful, life-giving option. Sometimes these technologies enable congregations to honor the local authorities during a public health crisis. This isn’t a jeremiad against live-streaming church.
But let’s escape the binary, reflexive tribalism. I’m not here for the “God says to meet in person!” or the “Online is the future!” shouting match. C’mon, there’s wisdom in both perspectives.
Here’s the nuance I think we need to explore: What’s the difference between watching a movie at home instead of going to the theater?
Whatever your answer is, I’d say it’s similar to the difference between watching a church service at home instead of going to the movie theater-style church building.
There are some other differences. For instance, at the church building, the concession stand is free, childcare is provided, everyone gets to sing, and there’s an awkward meet-and-greet midway through the performance. And yes, the church service features the Bible and Jesus instead of pyrotechnics and CGI (unless you go to a super cool church).
It’s a long wind-up, but here’s the point we need to examine. Is church something that you consume?
Because there’s a disconnect between the passive consumption of church as a religious service and the active life of discipleship. I know some people watch Serena Williams and get inspired to go play tennis. But most people are just inspired to watch more tennis.
I want something else from church. Instead of being comfortable, church should be hard.
There’s the awkward transformation of character that only comes when you’re patiently listening to a third-grader tell you about their week, discussing the Scriptures together, and leading distracted eight-year-olds in prayer. There’s the uncertainty and risk that leads to a prayerful dependence when you turn your Sunday community time over to the seekers who showed up and ask them what questions they want to discuss. There’s the transformation we experience when we gather in one another’s homes throughout the week to build friendships, help one another understand the Bible, and pray for strength to join God’s mission together. There’s the humbling discipline of engaging in an online community that challenges us to work hard in order to participate with thoughtfulness and kindness. There’s the sacrificial generosity of coming alongside the poor - not as patronizing benefactors but as co-creators imagining a better future together.
What do you want from church?
How are those habits forming you into an active participant in God’s mission?
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