The Lodestar

COVID-19 has changed our lives in unimaginable ways. It has changed our lifestyles, manners, and attitudes. These changes have impacted life in the churches, too. Being accustomed to attending church worship and prayer meetings online when the church doors were closed, people have gotten used to being closer to God while keeping a distance from believers.

Many people still prefer to watch a good Christian concert or live worship from a distant church instead of being in the pew of their parish church. This practice saves time travelling and money on parking and optimises Sunday leisure time.

The letter to the Hebrews, a timeless advice, urges us not to neglect meeting together as some were used to. Some avoided meeting for fear of being arrested or not being noticed as Christ-followers. Let us not forget this wisdom and strive to gather in His name.

The believers assemble not only to hear a good sermon and great music. But the physical gathering is vital for us to inspire each other to live in godliness. Christians grow in the warmth of fellowship. Our presence with each other matters. We should not limit the Christian experience to the two senses of hearing and seeing, as the online experience limits. We need to walk towards each other, hold and shake hands, and smile at each other—there is a range of experiences. A word of encouragement spoken face to face is much more valuable than a motivational quote that we forwarded to our friends over the phone.

So, take an active role in planning the next Sunday or the nearest opportunity to be together—Bible studies, prayer meetings on weekdays—to be with other believers in the same space. Your presence and participation are vital for the spiritual growth of the community.