On January 20, 2020, the United State saw its first laboratory confirmed case of Covid-19. Little did we know then how much that first case would ultimately develop into today’s multi-dimensional national crisis. We could examine the way the virus has affected our health care, economics, politics, commerce, and interpersonal relationships, but this article will focus on how it has revealed the disposition of the church in an increasingly hostile, secular culture.
The Inconvenience of Unprecedented Complexities
After months of stay at home orders, churches are now meeting in person yet, we are learning that this restored sense of “normalcy” has led to a new host of complex challenges. How often should we meet? What aspects of our normal worship service are the “essentials?” How strictly should we enforce matters of face coverings and social distance? How do we protect those who are most vulnerable? How do we minister to those who are terrified to leave their homes and are living in fearful, isolation? How do we relate to those who are passionately motivated to bring everyone to their own viewpoints on the roles of government and discussions on infringements on personal liberties? How do we encourage those that have gotten comfortable in their living rooms finding it far easier to do “church online” without the inconveniences of gathering with frustrating burdens? The list of tensions and difficult judgment calls is endless and the potential for contentious disagreements abound at every decision we must make.
The Pressing Issue
Is the gathered church an essential inconvenience? Whether we realize it or not, this question is really not a new question. Every generation has and will face it until Christ brings it into glory. We all believe the church is important, but do we believe and express through our choices that assembling as a local church is an essential sacred duty, not simply a matter of preference and convenience?
The Inconvenience of Church History
As we read the New Testament, we find countless examples of Christians suffering on various levels as they assembled for corporate worship and persevered faithfully in the midst of vicious pagan cultures. The Christians James addressed were part of the diaspora who needed to “count it all joy” when they fell into various trials. The Christians that Peter addressed were “strangers and pilgrims” who were to be “happy” when they were “reproached for the name of Christ.” The Christians in Smyrna were persecuted at the hands of the “synagogue of Satan.” The Christians in Pergamos were dwelling in a city referred to as “Satan’s Seat,” and the Christians in Philadelphia were commanded to “hold fast that no man take their crown…” Christians in America have enjoyed unprecedented liberties and even preferential treatment throughout our nearly 250 year history. There are few times in American history where we have encountered such a level of scrutiny or discomfort as we seek to assemble for corporate worship. Perhaps it is this ease that has caused us to take for granted the sacredness of corporate worship.
The Essence of Christian Community
Hebrews 10:24-25 states God’s simple yet pointed command regarding local church community and the reasons for this command. It says: “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching…” It is impossible to obey this command watching a service online. We must “assemble” together. We must “consider one another,” “provoke one another,” and “exhort one another.” None of these aspects of the command to “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” can be done at a distance. While each element of our corporate worship should be focused and purposeful, the actual “service” is not the only essential element of local church worship. The interaction we experience with one another after we have sung together, prayed together, and listened to the preaching of the word together is a critical component to our worship. We need the fellowship of other Christians and this fellowship should be shaped by our time together in focused attention on the Lord.
Timeless Principles Driving Biblical Thinking
The Jewish Christians who originally received this sermon were facing intense hardships for their professed faith in Christ. These pressures became so great, that they considered withdrawing from the local church and to reassimilate into Judaism out of pragmatic, convenience. Assembling was inconvenient because it was costly, and withdrawing for the sake of convenience was a powerful temptation. When the urge to abandon the church was greatest, so was their need to be with God’s people. This situation is obviously not fully parallel to our current state; however the principles that were to drive these first century Christians to faithfulness within the local church still apply.
The Devastating Consequences of Isolation
They needed to be stirred up in order to minister. They needed to love and be loved. They needed to grow together. God created the church because He designed us to grow in community rather than isolation. Simply put, it is impossible to grow into Christlikeness in isolation. The catalysts needed to produce godly change and growth into Christlikeness are not possible without interpersonal interaction. We cannot exercise spiritual gifts in isolation, nor can we demonstrate their development in isolation. What is love, forbearance, mercy, forgiveness, or giving without a context where real people need to be loved, forgiven, and cared for through physical means? What good is the gift to teach or administrate when there is no one to teach or organize? God created the local church for our good. If we neglect it, we do it in disobedience to Him and to the detriment of our soul’s health and the health of others in our local church. Simply put, the gathered church is an essential inconvenience.
