daily life as life goes on . . .

Valentine’s day was low key!

Church service in the morning – leading worship and (as always) chatting with others.

Home for lunch and the evangelical nap.  That is an old term expressing the idea that when you have a day of rest, you actually rest in the afternoon.  A sacred tradition from my youth – I get it now that I’m getting a little bit older.

Then some laughs through comedy on the internet, supper and an evening of two videos that mentioned God in more than just swear words.  Both were romances with strong and evolving virtues. 

And then the final rest of the day.

Good day!

I’ve touched base with a number of pastors and church leaders over the last while.

One of the questions they are asking is:  Who is my church?

For the leaders, this is a question of the span of ministry – you can only stretch so far when the world is virtually open to you (and if there is no one who is following you – your stretch is atrophied). 

For the lone individual, this is a question of the options to receive ministry.  Through technology, it seems we can be gifted with “church” at any time, anywhere, with anyone leading the “church”.

One writer on future church talks of the organized (institutional) church coexisting with the spiritual (heartfelt) church.  Rules and release trying to find a way forward. 

Not a new phenomenon, but very relevant today!

Today, a friend of mine ran across the newest (OK, its a few months old) scandal of celebrity in the evangelical church.  Along with my wife, we chatted with her about how to take this newest revelation.

Replay the good – you don’t need to replay the bad.

Simple but profound.

• This doesn’t negate justice, but does allow for forgiveness.
• This doesn’t overlook the happenings, but dismisses the anger. 
• This doesn’t deny the hurt, but overcomes the bitterness.

My mind has been churning.

I liked my life of normal.  I had enough people in my life.  I had enough projects in my life.  I had enough life in my life.

Then COVID.  Then my guilt plugged in.  Then my shame plugged in.

I could now reach the world – I was expected to reach the world!  No more boundaries in the virtual world while the physical world was in lockdown.

A relative started a genealogy page.  Now I know way too many relatives – and there is an expectation that every day is a family reunion day.  I’m just one comment away from the next comment.

I used to be satisfied with one church service on Sunday.  Now I watch up to three or four.  I’m part of a prayer group out of Ontario.  I can stream into any number of edifying, communal, global gatherings.

My local hardware store was the mediator of product.  Now I can go online and enjoy my new friend, “AI” (Artificial Intelligence).  AI knows my needs, anticipates my longings and costs me a lot of money.

So my body is here.  But the rest of me?