Church: Physical, Virtual, Aboriginal, Spiritual – Theological Options

During the pandemic, we’ve become sued to online church. Virtual gatherings, one-to-one conversations, and pastoral care, replaced ion-person physical encounters. In some cases, these were enrichments, enabling, for example, people to attend Life-Groups, who had never been able to come physically: e.g. single parents, shift-workers. 

KCBC Post-Pandemic Vision

In the sovereignty of God, the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered a shock to our whole civilisation. Even as we care for those who have fallen ill, or been bereaved, let us pray that it will direct people back to the Lord, as the only foundation for our hope. In this, we welcome the contribution of medical science, and the vaccine programme, as one part of God’s solution to the pandemic. 

Body Without Organs

But can the emphasis on ecclesial embodiment be actualised virtually? Can we be the body online? Doesn't this disembodied form of communication vitiate the corporeal metaphor? Surely not. Paul himself comments that, although absent in body he is with others “in spirit” (2 Co. 5.3; Col. 5.3). If this is more than a pious sentiment, it must refer to some metaphysical connection, a reality of fellowship across physical distance

The Temple is a Body. The Spirit is a Bone.

 

Examples abound of what practices we are to inhabit when church ‘meets’ – teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer (Acs. 2.42) or providing openings for contributing hymn, instruction, revelation, tongue or interpretation (1 Co. 14.26). But exactly how (liturgy), or where (location), these are to be practised is left open: indeed both temple and home are mentioned (Acs. 2.46); and the temple not commanded, but convenient, for Jewish Messiah-followers to gather; since it is not the ritual elements of temple worship which are practised, but the specific community-forming practises of the messianic community, a sub-culture which would ultimately include gentiles. 

Non-Building-Centred Church

 

KCBC has gone back online for church services. This is not in response to any government dictum. Indeed, they have officially allowed corporate worship, of all religions, to continue. But, due to increasing infections, it seems the responsible reaction to cancel physical services, to defeat the virus, as well as protecting our own attenders.

Electro-Ecclesial Experiments

 

Our leaders met recently and decided to keep our church building closed for services,  until at least 15th February, in line with the government lockdown. Churches are allowed to meet, but following recommendations from the Baptist Union, it seems right to move online for two reasons: to protect our attenders & to protect society by not spreading the virus.

Many are disappointed by this. We have different opinions. So we must remain united and sensitive to each other; respecting each other’s viewpoints, attributing integrity to each other, as we each seek to be faithful to our God.

Shot Gun Wedding – Covid Marriage

 

Although a bit different from the shotgun wedding, with the bride’s father hovering with his loaded weapon, to make sure the reluctant groom marries his pregnant daughter, there has been pressure for people to get married during the pandemic. Like wartime weddings, where people were in a rush, because they didn’t know what would happen, or where they’d be, Covid weddings are similarly different.

Decision and Design

 I had to make a decision, which disappointed many – cancelling physical services in our building. It was more difficult, because we are actually allowed to meet, by the government. The question is whether this is wise, in view of the rising infection rates, from the new strain of Covid. The government itself is being criticised for not taking responsibility. Naturally, noone likes to limit people’s freedoms, and shut things down. But, leaving restrictive measures until the last minute, makes it harder for people to plan. Part of leadership’s task is to make tough decisions; and, although not at PM level, this is also the Pastor’s role.

These Latter Days

 

No, I’m not going on an ‘end-times’ kick, but merely reflecting on how these ‘latter days’ of the pandemic are playing out. Ironically, as the vaccine begins to be rolled out in Britain, depression returns. Through most of the year, I had remained generally positive, responding to the emergency, with determined action. This was easy, because there were low expectations, nothing to justify. But underlying it, I suppose the perpetual darkness of the soul had persisted; what US singer Bill Mallonee calls our ‘blister soul’. 

Virus & Vaccine - Luke 2.8-12 (a sermon)

(This is the notes for a sermon I preached on 20th Dec 2020, addressing some of the concerns people have about the Covid vaccine. You can watch it on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kingscrossbaptist/videos/149894860248562)

Here’s my link to preaching the Sunday before Christmas about the virus! The angels say: Do not be afraid. Meant for Christmas, but valid for Covid. Politically, they faced Roman military occupation. Socially, the shepherds were among the most marginalised, poorest groups. I want to address the fear people experience today, about the virus, and now about the vaccine. I’m nervous about doing so, because it is controversial, and people in the church have different views. 

Surprised by Fidelity

“How can you plan for a new reality when you don’t even have the remotest idea what it would be like?” Suzette Haden Elgin, Native Tongue 

This quote is from a 1984 feminist scifi novel. I’ve noted before that planning has been difficult this year, because we’ve had to adapt to constant changes. Preparing for 2021, we must again be tactically nimble, while remaining faithful to our strategic goals; combining plans and purpose,  flexibility with fidelity. Gabriel Marcel, the Christian existentialist philosopher, developed his notion of “creative fidelity”, in response to his experiences during the French resistance in World War Two. Such fidelity demands supple openness, alongside stubborn determination. 

An Exercise in Practical Theology

If this Blog was ever to be turned into a book, I think it should follow the pattern of Slavoj Žižek’s Pandemic!: Covid-19 shakes the World. A series of rambling articles, originally posted online, gathered together into a ramshackle collection of relatively early responses to the emergency. This, it seems to me, is the model for the engaged intellectual (if I’m worthy of such a title), immersed in the situation, bringing out of their treasure things old and new (Mt. 13.52). 

Meditation on 'Normal'

“Vaccines mean a potential return to normalisation.” So said a business pundit on the radio. There is a widespread desire for return to normal. Even while people recognise it will have to be a ‘new’ or ‘novel’ normal, they are desperate for stability, for a style of life, that is familiar, similar to what they have lost: shopping, pubs, socialising. 

Apologetics and Action

Recently I read three Christian books responding to the Corona pandemic: John Lennox, Where is God in a Coronavirus World?; John Piper, Coronavirus and Christ; Tom Wright, God and the pandemic. Here are my thoughts.

Pioneering and Planning in the Pandemic

There is an old Jewish joke: how do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans! Certainly true of this year. How many churches in January toyed with the cliché of ’20:20 vision’? How many of those ambitions now lie in tatters? Even as believers our presumption has been exposed by circumstances. We need to submit again to God’s sovereignty (Jas. 4.13-16).

Moving through the pandemic

The pandemic has proceeded through several phases and cycles. This is bewildering to the everyday pastor, trying to adapt to rapidly-changing medical prognoses and governmental pronouncements. However, much of the religious whining about our new lockdown is merely special pleading, with arguments similar to businesses who want exemptions, because their particular premises haven’t sparked outbreaks. Government though has to take account of where they may occur. But pastors’ dismay is exemplified in the oft-repeated joke, that they never got trained at seminary about how to deal with a pandemic. 

Pastoral Conversations

Christians are not immune, from Covid or the anxieties it provokes. As the pandemic’s second wave worsens, fears are emerging among believers, provoking questions. So, my pastoral conversations have sharpened up: a kind of pastoral apologetics.

 

The Invisible Covid Church

Much of what we have done as leaders during Covid has been invisible to our membership. Our outreach – street evangelism, working with the local senior citizens centre – is not seen by them. Even the pastoral care, and small groups, all happen online, and so are invisible to those not actually involved in each activity. Our physical services, back in the building, although witnessed by some through livestreaming, are not experienced by many of even our supposedly ‘regular’ congregation, from pre-Covid days. The church is therefore fractured, and in its fragmentation therefore invisible to most people. 

Transition, Contingency, and the Revelation of God

 

Just as we are successfully re-opening our church building for services, respecting social distancing and cleaning regulations, comes the possibility that we may have to close down again. The government scheme of Tier 2 and Tier 3 rules will not mean places of worship shutting again, as happened during the lockdown. But it appears that they are considering a short-term ‘circuit breaker’ for a couple of weeks; and if this follows the example of the Welsh government, it could involve prohibiting services in church buildings again.

Action, Man....

Last Sunday, our youth worker, Rochelle, preached her first sermon, since re-opening our church building for worship. She noted that, afterwards, several young people approached her to talk; and she concluded that this demonstrated the importance of relationship, being seen and heard. She has actually had the most difficult job in our church, because two weeks after she began work, lockdown started – and so she had to somehow do ministry with people she had never met. She did really well. But her observation on Sunday reveals how crucial physical presence matters.