I grew up as a church kid in the ’70s – it was the height of the “Jesus Movement”, igniting church culture, challenging traditional music and also dress codes! It was an exciting time of transition, though the growing pains were very deep and real. God was still God, but ways in which people were connecting with God were suddenly becoming more relaxed and accessible for the “unchurched” and doors were flying open to meet the new generation’s desire to find meaning and purpose in life. Those tumultuous days paved the road for all the many different ways we connect with God today in the rich diversity of music, liturgy, styles of teaching, prayer and ways of experiencing community.
I’m posting “Day 22” on Sunday, because I want to celebrate the amazing things that are happening right now that are absolutely unique in the history of the church. Because of current CDC and governmental recommendations that people not meet together in an effort to stem the tide of COVID-19, today churches all across the world are meeting in virtual formats through live streaming, video conferencing, websites, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube – even pre-recorded DVDs for those who don’t have other means. This isn’t what anyone could have expected or would have wanted, but it has opened wide new opportunities to experience God and Christian community in creative new ways. It’s igniting another cultural shift that has flung the doors of accessibility open as never before. People can connect not only with their own communities but countless others as the definition of “church” is truly returning to what Jesus intended. WE are the church, not the buildings in which we meet each week.
Many historians suggest the Jesus Movement was birthed from the tumultuous impact of the Vietnam War. Today we are holding virtual worship services because of a virus that needs to be slowed down so medical interventions can keep up. No one would suggest wars or pandemics as a means for transformation….but since we can’t change where we are today, we can allow God to use these times of upheaval to move us forward – to show us new and deeper ways of connecting with him and with one another.
I know for so many people “church” isn’t something they can really relate to. Sometimes it’s because they’ve been hurt by others who wear the name Christian and sometimes it’s just because they don’t see current relevance in the Bible, or maybe they believe in God, but don’t see the need to be part of a community of believers. To each of them (perhaps you?) I would say that now is an excellent time to take a new look – to see the table that is being prepared where you are welcome to pull up a seat and share a meal, to hear about this God who desires relationship with us so much he actually took on human form and lived as we do. The form the message is taking this morning may be new to many….but the message of the gospel hasn’t changed. Jesus is still calling the lost, the wounded, the scared, the lonely….and nothing – neither height nor depth, (nor isolation, nor social distancing) nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I plan on connecting with my own faith community today via YouTube and several others throughout the day on various social media platforms. It’s a good day to be together – to be the church!
There was a time that I swore I would never go back I was blind to the truth, didn’t know what I had I was running, I was searching But every place I turned for healing Left me more broken than the last
Take me back To the place that feels like home To the people I can depend on To the faith that’s in my bones Take me back To a preacher and a verse Where they’ve seen me at my worst To the love I had at first Oh, I want to go to church
Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost Now I’m making my way to the foot of the cross It’s not a trophy for the winners It’s a shelter for the sinners And it’s right where I belong
Take me back To the place that feels like home To the people I can depend on To the faith that’s in my bones Take me back To a preacher and a verse Where they’ve seen me at my worst To the love I had at first Oh, I want to go to church
I want to go to church Oh, more than an obligation It’s our foundation The family of God I know it’s hard But we need each other We’re sisters and brothers
Oh, take me back To the place that feels like home To the people I can depend on To the faith that’s in my bones Take me back To a preacher and a verse Where they’ve seen me at my worst To the love I had at first Oh, I want to go to church Yeah, I want to go to church Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go Oh, I want to go to church Oh, I want to go to church
Welcome ~ I am a mom, a wife, a friend, a sister, a daughter, a dreamer and a writer. But most of all I am a woman of faith - I have a deep longing to know and love....God.
