Engaging in Real community
In class, Luke Kimmich made a great point. he states, “it’s tricky because I see so much good from online church, but I also see the harm in it.” Where he is getting at here is the danger between staying at home watching church without having a valid reason. Luke here is describing how so many people still have insisted on watching online church even though it’s been so long since Covid-19 plagued the country. Luke believes that it is so crucial for community in the church, and he would argue having online church as a habit of life is dangerous to spiritual growth.
Based on Lukes reflection of this issue, I would have to say that I absolutely agree. So many people have been so comfortable with online church during the time of Covid, that they desire the comfort of doing church in their own living room, that they are missing out on the communion with fellow believers. This value of communion with believers is a biblical value that you cannot get in a home church environment. Now, we see believers getting back into the church which is causing an increase in Christian community.
In the end, we ought to first consider what scripture states about being in physical communion with one another. Romans 12:10 states, “16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” In addition, James 5:16 states, ” Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” From these verses, it is clear to me that we have been wired to be in community and whenever we step outside of how we were created to be, we see flaws.
I think communion is all the more important now because our ordinary lives already isolate us so much. It’s becoming harder and harder to make friends in the current age. If we move away from communion, we cut ourselves off not only from fellowship with people in general, but fellowship with our family in the church. While online church can bring people together, nothing compares to physically being present in the church in the midst of the Holy Spirit.
Hi Jordan,
Great reflections. While I think it is important to be poured into by teachers, ultimately I believe the Lord created us to learn in community with other people which just can’t happen when you are alone watching church on your computer.