AUTHOR’S NOTE: This post is for the context of church worship gatherings and services taking place online only for the Sunday of March 15th, 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
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As I’ve been preparing for church in the morning, a few thoughts have come to mind that I haven’t yet seen any christian leaders speak to that pertain to the people of the church and our Sunday morning gatherings:
to all christians
We have such an incredible opportunity to gather together. Like Hebrews 10:21-25 says “since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with sincere heart in full assurance of faith… for He who promised is faithful; let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” (NASB, and you should take 30 seconds to read the whole passage 😜)
Can I humbly encourage you to not let “church online” be so convenient that you minimize the importance of gathering? What unity we show when we say “we will continue gathering together by whatever means necessary!” Don’t let yourself miss out on this unique Sunday to be edified, encouraged, and connect with your local community of faith.
You might be thinking “but it will be so strange to sing along to Facebook Live in my apartment” but let’s not ignore the reality: it is strange that we believe in a God who saves sinners! Let’s embrace the strangeness of what we are as the Church and respond in heartfelt worship from our living rooms, singing praises across the cities along with our immediate families and small gatherings in our living rooms.
TO WORSHIP LEADERS, MUSICIANS, TECHNICAL ARTISTS, & EVERYONE SERVING THE BODY OF CHRIST:
What a strange Sunday this will be! Let’s keep in mind that unlike a usual Sunday where the online audience is maybe a secondary concern in prioritization, this Sunday most of our churches are PRIMARILY online! We will literally be worshiping together in our living rooms, so let’s not pretend that we’re leading and serving an auditorium full of people but rather that we are worshiping in living rooms, and let’s adapt to that. Let’s connect like never before and serve our congregations in a way that leans into our specific situation instead of ignoring it. Let’s worship the Lord in spirit and truth, and encourage our congregations by truly meeting them where they are at- likely in their pajamas in bed or on the couch!
TO PREACHERS, TEACHERS, LEAD PASTORS, & SPEAKERS
How incredible an opportunity this presents! People who are devout attendees to worship will be hosting Facebook watch parties and sharing your message with the world, while the less regular will be tuning in and out and distracting themselves.
Just so you are aware, there are very few people with the amount of charisma required to hold someone’s attention on an online video for more than 30 seconds. So, might I encourage you to consider the message you are preaching. I’m sure your coronavirus-specific message is full of great facts and scientific research and that your powerpoint is beautifully put together. But I also can speak confidently that Andy Stanley’s coronavirus talk is probably better than yours (sorry, it’s probably the truth). Preacher, you have the opportunity to share the pure, unadulterated GOSPEL this weekend! You can draw in all online attendees by edifying the saint and giving hope to the sinner with your 15-minute-or-less power-packed Gospel presentation! We could literally see record numbers of people get SAVED through live streams this weekend! Sure, you can reference COVID-19 and fear and toilet paper and even preach from Philippians 4 or Matthew 6, but when the world (and most of your congregants) are already sharing the CDC’s information why wouldn’t you offer something that gives SO MUCH MORE LIFE!
May this simply be an encouragement to you: coronavirus will come and go, but this opportunity is limited. Give us the Bible, teach us Scripture, and PREACH THE GOSPEL! What a wonderful chance we have!
TO WRAP THIS up
Let me encourage all of us- online attendees, weekend volunteers, and communicators of the message- to not make this weekend about us, or about live streaming, or even about a virus, but that we would make this weekend about JESUS and the word concerning Him. Would we be mindful of the opportunity to worship together, serve one another, and be edified as the Church in the face of such circumstances.
Feel free to share this around to encourage your church community to gather with such deep conviction around Christ and His Gospel in the face of disease and fear.
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Kevin McClure has been leading worship in the local church for over 10 years in different capacities of multi-generational, young adult, and student ministries. As a songwriter, musical artist, and worship leader he has had the honor of touring the United States both as a performer and worship leader over the better part of the last decade. With a heart to see believers learn how to take the act of worship beyond the setting of a group gathering, Kevin is incredibly intentional with his time on and offstage to help teach the practice of worship as a lifestyle through conversation and writing- including through his blog. He also leads the Worship Leader Network by organizing regular events and building relationships with other worship people throughout the Midwest. Kevin lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his bride Hailey his two daughters, Everleigh and Eliska, and his son Bear. His favorite food is coffee, loves bonfires, and is an avid Chicago Cubs fan. You can find more of Kevin’s writings and creative endeavors at KevinMcClure.org and follow him on social media platforms through his handle, @KevinTMcClure.
Kevin McClure 