Some of my friends were elated when they heard that church meetings were canceled because of COVID-19, or Coronavirus, \u201cChurch cancelled!\u201d texts went out.\u00a0 Celebratory emojis were shared.\u00a0 On a more serious note, a family member wondered whether there would be long-term effects on church attendance. Would people keep staying home on Sunday once they got in the habit?<\/p>\n
We may well see a dip in activity rates.\u00a0 But COVID-19 will only be the trigger.\u00a0 The root problem is deeper.\u00a0 Many members have lost sight of why we go to church in the first place.<\/p>\n
Church as we know it probably developed after the destruction of the first temple in 586 B.C. with the creation of synagogues, taken from the Greek word for \u201cassembly.\u201d\u00a0 Some scholars trace synagogues to a practice of having representatives of communities outside of Jerusalem pray together when their priestly representatives attended ritual sacrifices at the temple.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n Synagogues unified the Jewish people.\u00a0 Temple rites were mostly confined to a separate class of Levites.\u00a0 But all Jews could participate in song and prayer while the temple rites were being performed.\u00a0 This kept them loyal to the temple and its priests, who depended on their tithes.\u00a0 It also provided the community a place to gather.<\/p>\n Christianity made the commandment to gather together more explicit.\u00a0 We are to \u201cconsider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.\u201d[2]<\/a>\u00a0 \u201cWhen you come together, every one of you have a psalm, hath a doctrine [a lesson], hath a tongue, hath a revelation.\u00a0 Let all things be done unto edifying.\u201d[3]<\/a>\u00a0 People that need that edifying won\u2019t be getting it this week.<\/p>\n When I heard church was cancelled, I first thought of my friend Kyle.[4]<\/a>\u00a0 Kyle suffers from Schizophrenia and struggles to get work.\u00a0 He has few friends outside of church.\u00a0 I also thought of my friend Josh.[5]<\/a>\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t been to church in a while, but he met many of his close friends there.\u00a0 He has asthma and is afraid of going out because of COVID-19.<\/p>\n Some of you might not \u201cneed\u201d church.\u00a0 But there are many people that do.\u00a0 If you find yourself rejoicing at the pause, think of those that might feel differently.\u00a0 Think of the parents that need relief as their kids socialize.\u00a0 Think of the young men that need mentors. \u00a0Think of the elderly that need friends.<\/p>\n Is there someone that comes to mind?\u00a0 Should you send them a text to ask if they\u2019re doing OK?\u00a0 Should you call them to see how they\u2019re handling the quarantine?\u00a0 If they are sick or elderly, should you offer to get them supplies or groceries?\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter if they aren\u2019t on your ministering list.\u00a0 If you thought of them, then you should probably reach out.<\/p>\n When people complain that church is \u201cboring,\u201d they seem to be missing the point.\u00a0 Could the talks be better?\u00a0 Sure.\u00a0 Are the lessons repetitive?\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 Church can\u2019t compete with Netflix or games as a form of entertainment.\u00a0 It was never meant to do that.<\/p>\n If you find yourself bored, play a little game.\u00a0 Ask yourself, \u201cwho can I help at church today?\u00a0 Who can I sit by?\u00a0 Who could I introduce myself to?\u201d \u00a0Do you know people well enough that they would tell you if something bad happened?\u00a0 If not, maybe you should get to know them better.<\/p>\n Of course, I\u2019d be remiss not to mention the purpose of taking the sacrament.\u00a0 But you can still get that at home.[6]<\/a>\u00a0 The suspension of church really denies us the opportunity to serve our fellow brothers and sisters.<\/p>\n Maybe some members will realize that it\u2019s more fun not to go to church.\u00a0 Maybe some of them will keep staying home as a result.\u00a0 If they do, that will be a sign that we have failed them.\u00a0 Not because we could make church more entertaining.\u00a0 Because after decades in the gospel, they still approach church as a consumer.<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Encyclopedia Brittanica: https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/synagogue<\/a><\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> 1 Corinthians 14:26<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Name has been changed.<\/p>\n