Covid-19 and the Connotations for Corporate Worship

It’s truly amazing – and certainly discouraging – to think back to the world we lived in only a year ago. Last March, the way we lived changed dramatically. Education and employment shifted to entirely virtual environments, restaurants closed, and staying home and watching Netflix became a noble pastime.

Of course, I don’t need to tell you this. You experienced it too.

However, as we consider all that we’ve lost thanks to the pandemic, we often overlook one major area. As Christians, we’ve observed major changes take place in the church due to Covid-19. Our Sunday gatherings switched to online livestreamed or pre-recorded services, and some churches adapted better than others. But regardless of how well a church bridged the gap between live and virtual services, something vital has been lost in the process.

If you doubt this, look at the way we worship in these Covid-19 times compared to a year ago.

Many people – both Christians and non-Christians – view church as a weekly obligation. In reality, it is a gift from God. Church fulfills not the needs of God, but the needs of His people.  Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Gathering together, worshiping together, and growing together in faith is critical to believers, and Covid-19 has made that abundantly clear.

I see this specifically in worship.

Instead of standing in the sanctuary singing together, we sit in our living rooms watching musicians on our TV or computer screens. We’ve become unintentional spectators to worship, watching worship or merely mumbling the words under our breath. And who can blame us? The screen is a difficult obstacle to overcome as a worshiper, and it cannot match the feeling of the Holy Spirit moving amongst a congregation passionately worshiping God.

No matter how well a church records and edits their worship set, something will always be lacking. This is an area where the body of believers is truly suffering, displayed in a heartfelt yearning. As churches open up, I see people coming with a craving for worship. And nothing matches the look on their faces when the first song plays, and they can finally sing together again.

Though the church has innovated a lot because of Covid-19, this is a major area that is somewhat lacking. As a result, I would encourage you to attend live worship as much as possible in these times, or be more intentional about your personal worship.