How to Zoom (continued)
WORDS FROM OUR PASTORS
WORDS FROM OUR PASTORS
WORDS FROM OUR PASTORS
On this "April Fool's Day", I wish we could say that each of these is an April Fool's joke:
- the Governor's pronouncement today that all schools will be closed for the rest of this school year.
- the White House's pronouncement that there could be over 200,000 deaths from COVID-19.
- Church gatherings will continue to be closed for the month of April and potentially into summertime.
These are no jokes, and indeed are reasons for much consternation and appeals to God for His mercy and power to be manifest. Let us pray for His hand to still the pandemic storm and the fears and anxieties of our hearts. Let us look to and focus our eyes on Jesus, not on the wind and the waves of worry.
As we have transitioned to "doing church online", may I ask you: has it been a steep learning curve? There is, of course, the technical aspects to learn. As a pastor, I've learned so much about how to use various tools for online teleconferencing and video recording. But, beyond the technical, there is also the social aspect that must be learned as well. How can you maintain and deepen relationships online? How can you get closer as you practice social distancing? And then, there's the question of worship: can I really worship while watching a person on a screen who's not looking at me and doesn't even know I'm there?!
Here are a few observations from using Zoom to teleconference and joining a live-stream worship service:
- "Audience of One": When we normally gather in groups, it's easy to forget that we're singing to and worshiping only One Person (well...theologically three Persons in One Godhead). Usually, we hear each other singing, and we are inspired to sing out loud also...and maybe even sing for the benefit of the person next to us! But, when we stay-at-home for worship, when our voice may be the only one in the house, the temptation is to not sing because...well, it just feels weird, right? But may I urge you: keep singing, keep lifting up your voice and your hands to the Lord...because our audience in worship singing is really just God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We don't need an audience around us when our Audience is the One True God. He sees your posture and hears your voice; He knows your heart and feels your passion for Him. So glorify your Audience of One, even if you are a Worshiper of One in your home.
- Family Worship: Normally, the children and youth (sometimes) are separated from the parents when we gather at church for worship. And it's appropriate and even necessary. But, when we are forced to stay home, we begin to recall Deuteronomy 6, in which the parents (and dads, in particular) in the newly formed nation of Israel were instructed to be the primary teachers and spiritual leaders of their families. Worship was not just a formal gathering at the Tabernacle, but also commanded of parents in one's household. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. So, Moms and Dads, don't be afraid or nervous to lead your family in worship--they want to learn from you, and to understand how to worship God. Parents, you've been trained for such a time as this! You got this!
- Sacrificial Listening: In a typical "fellowship" time on the church campus, you might have multiple conversations going on within one larger grouping around a patio table (for example). Those who are seated will be engaged in a couple of conversations, while some others standing around the periphery will be engaged in their own conversations. And, rarely will everyone be listening to one person speak--especially someone you don't know . But, in a Zoom meeting, only one person can be speaking at a time. There can be no "side conversations." And, this is a great challenge for many reasons! (1) The more people in your meeting, the more you must wait your turn to speak. (2) You may not know those who are speaking, and find it hard to care about what they're saying. (3) You don't have the advantage of seeing body language or picking up subtle verbal cues. (4) It is very tempting to just tune out and do something else. For all these reasons and more, it really is a test of patient love and sacrificial listening to continually focus on others for 20-30 minutes. It takes the concept of "active listening" to a whole new level. This is an exercise in Holy Spirit-guided listening. Please remember, you are in this Zoom meeting with others for a reason...and though you may not know the others well, be open to growing a Christian friendship even if only online. So, before you enter a Zoom meeting, pray something like this: "Lord, may your Spirit direct my ears and my heart to hear what others will say in this Zoom meeting. Help me to care and have compassion for each speaker...even those I don't know. Keep my eyes and hands focused, that I might resist the temptation to tune out and do other things online. Help me to be patient as I listen, O Lord. Bind me with others in the unity of the Spirit. In Jesus' name, amen."
On a lighter note, many of us are looking for good qualify material online for ourselves and our children. I've received some recommendations and heard about some special deals that are going on right now:
- Phil Vischer (creator of Veggie Tales) is putting his entire library of high quality material (e.g. "What's in the Bible?" series) for free access for six weeks. (enter promo code FAMILYLIFE and be sure to also enter a credit card...it didn't work until we did, even though they won't charge anything.)
- The new animated Pilgrim's Progress by Revelation Media is available online for free. Just need to enter your email address.
- Amazon Freetime 3-month Family Subscription is available for almost-free ($0.99). I can't vouch for all of the content, but it's supposed to be a very "kid-friendly" place for kids' books and videos.
- VidAngel is a streaming service with both original and non-original Christian content (e.g. James Dobson's videos). It also offers filtering of Netflix and Amazon Prime videos when you link your subscriptions. All content and filtering services are free at least through April.
- Sports fans: NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL are all offering free subscriptions and/or content on their website. Relieve the glory moments from your favorite teams, or watch interesting documentaries (Stacey and I watched one about David Tyree and the "Helmet Catch" in Super Bowl XLII--I highly recommend it, especially because there is no editing of his Christian testimony).
- I'm sure there's plenty more out there that I do not know about. Please let me know if you hear of good stuff to share with others...and I'll post more in future weeks.
So, enjoy good, quality screen time with your family, but also take time out for a walk/bike ride outside, or board games with your family. And of course, pray and read God's Word together. See you online soon!
Together with you in Jesus,
Pastor Godfrey