Like most of us, I had what felt like an insane week during the first seven days of our COVID-19 shelter in place. I lived through the hype of Y2K and the horror of 9/11. This is unlike both. For one, I’ve never, ever seen churches shut their doors! 

One of the ways I know how to make sense of life is by writing about it. I’m going to attempt to write a reflection each week, choosing some specific element to focus on. (And yes, I am a bit behind the curve because my book manuscript was due a few days ago.) This week’s subject is online church.

This is certainly not a new phenomenon. Some churches have been live-streaming or recording their services for years. In the past, this was mostly done so that folks who did shift-work or had health or mobility issues would be able to stay connected and get fed.  

Given that the CDC is suggesting that we avoid gatherings of over 50 people and many states are reducing that to 25 people, most churches are complying with state regulations and have closed their doors on Sunday mornings. This seems prudent due to the severity of this illness. But those of us who regularly attend church services know it’s not so easy to give up. Hence online church. Our church went for it this week. My husband sat in our living room with his keyboard and his computer. (Unfortunately, he asked everyone to mute their mics so the group-singing thing did not happen.) We all took communion in the safety of our homes. Our pastor gave an encouraging and relevant sermon. And as someone who does a bit of public speaking, I will say that talking to a little green light at the top of a computer is no where near as fun or energizing as being able to see actual faces. (To read more on what it’s like for pastors, give this article over at CT a read. May we all be more kind and gracious to our pastors in the coming weeks!)

With due respect to my worship-leader husband and our pastor, the best part for me was seeing everyone as we watched together. Three and four-year-old girls danced with baby dolls. Teens looked their normal sullen, half-awake selves. Women I always see well dressed and made up were in their jammies with bed head. I loved it! It had a very humanizing effect and made me care about these people even more. (Added bonus: I might actually learn everyone’s name by this time this is over since at least on Zoom, every photo has a name under it.) At the end of our “service,” we all exchanged greetings led by the boisterous kids who spotted their friends and waved furiously.

Really, it should be no surprise that what most spoke to me was connecting. We can download a teaching from almost anyone these days. We can’t download friendship. Church is family. Church is where we go with our greatest sorrows and our deepest needs. Church is where we are known and hopefully loved. As we join our voices in prayer and worship, it’s truly transcendent. We simply can’t replicate that experience online. But, it’s better than nothing and because Scripture reminds us that we should not forsake meeting together, my sense is that we’ll be doing this for the foreseeable future.

For the most part, a normal live-stream service is not terribly friendly for our kids. Rather than being able to gather with their buddies and do age appropriate activities, they’re stuck with the boring big people trying not to act out and embarrass their parents. (Much grace moms and dads. This will happen and we’ve all been there. No shame.)

Some churches have started streaming services for youth and teens. Others are uploading teachings so families can watch them at their convenience. And some are including a short kids’ message before the online adult sermon. If nothing else, it seems we’re all upping our game with regard to finding ways for technology to serve us and our mission.

In that vein, I read about a church that was experimenting with renting a drive-in theater to hold their services and then came across this church in Florida that has been doing that for years. (Why anyone would want to sit in a car in the Florida heat rather than go into an AC building is beyond me but whatever works!) I’m sure we’ll be learning about all types of innovation in the coming weeks. If I was tech savvy and looking for work, I would be establishing myself as a consultant for churches who are trying to figure this all out.

One very welcome response to the pandemic has been an increase in prayer. Those of us who are followers of Christ know that prayer is one of the most powerful ways we can respond to situations that are beyond our control. Small clusters of people are joining online throughout the day to pray for the world, those who are most vulnerable (including incarcerated men and women, and refugees), our leadership, and about any issue that might connected to COVID-19. I find this deeply encouraging and hope it continues long after the pandemic ends. 

We’re all working hard to make the best of this difficult season. There are so many glimmers of light out there. From Italians singing to each other in Sienna; to folks offering to shop, dog walk, or baby-sit their neighbors’ kids; to NBA players donating money to help cover the salaries of folks who work in their home venues; to this gentleman who stood outside his wife’s nursing home to wish her a happy anniversary. If you like music mashups, give these two a listen. I have no idea how they do this but it’s moving! One branch of MOPs up in Alaska has set up a schedule to read stories to kids online. Another great idea!

We are creative people who are made to connect and serve. Let’s be on the lookout for ways to make that happen. 

Observations for the first full week of isolation:

It seems to be a lot easier for those of us not in the city. Quicker access to nature and more opportunities to get outside. By the way, there’s a lot of yard work going on out here. And assumedly, a lot of baking and chip eating based on the ravaged shelves in our grocery stores.

Predictions for the year: 

#1 Will there be a baby boom or bust in 10 months? I predict the latter. First, there’s the potential to infect each other given that those who are sick are not always symptomatic. Definitely not sexy. Plus, our already-born children, now present 24/7, are taxing our energy levels. Come 9 PM, my guess is most of us, at least the moms, are so very done. Then for those under 30 who have already expressed their ambivalence about having children, the pandemic only reinforces their concerns about bringing kids into an unstable world. (I hope I’m wrong on this one.)

#2 We’re all either going to lose or gain weight. The former may be true for those who did not understand how many adults rely on food to self-medicate. (I did not stock up on baking ingredients or chips and thus may have to do without for the foreseeable future.) Most of the gyms are closed BUT people are definitely out walking more. The only scale I have access to is at the gym so I’m going to have to gauge my weight gain/loss based on how my jeans fit. (Assuming I take off my sweats at some point.)

Tune in next week as I reflect on how the pandemic might actually help us to topple some idols.