The COVID thing is leading to future questions. What will best suit the church in the future?
By suit, I’m meandering into the question of the changes in our world. How do we see these changes driving us back to fundamentals (for those who would prefer another word, how about “foundations”)?
Church is the primary place of gathering for Christians. I’m fairly flexible in that – there are micro-churches, family churches, mega-churches, community churches, denominational churches, . . .
In these gatherings, what should be capturing our time and activity? Things that lead to:
- our affections being enhanced and glorified
- our allegiances being nationalized and prioritized
- our attention being grabbed and sensationalized
- our knowledge being prioritized and rationalized
- our imagination being led to transcendence and wonder
Now, I know the way I have written this tends to turn some legitimate activities into scourges. I love the party of a church gathering, the teaching of a good leader, the focusing of my energies, and the thankfulness of being in the place where I live.
But I wonder, in a day and age of many polarizations, if we need to consider pulling our gatherings back to Jesus. Back to the Almighty God. Back to the wonder-working Spirit.
Instead of speeding up – we could slow down and “smell the roses”. Instead of living apart and scattered by many differences – we could gather around the Triune God. Instead of critiquing everyone around us, including our friends – we could commune in love.