I grew up in the Social Media age. I remember the first time I met “Tom,” everyone’s first friend on the now-defunct Social Media site, MySpace. I remember being in middle school when it seemed like everyone had a Xanga or Tumblr blog. I remember going to the local library and logging on to AIM in order to send “Instant Messages” to my friends. I not only grew up in the Social Media age, but I also embraced it wholeheartedly. Honestly, I still love social media, though I love it for different reasons now.
How from the comfort of my own living room I could sit under the teaching and preaching of not only my pastor but so many other pastors, preachers, and teachers as well
When the Pandemic began having an effect in our communities earlier this year, I was proud of how so many churches so easily transitioned into Online services. How from the comfort of my own living room I could sit under the teaching and preaching of not only my pastor but so many other pastors, preachers, and teachers as well. I read post after post of how churches need to understand Social Media and LiveStreaming in order to survive and for the most part, I agreed.
When churches began to regather, a brother in Christ reached out and asked a question that he had been asked. “If we can remain safer at home, and technology allows it, why do we need to go back to a traditional church?” This is a question that I had wrestled with as well if I’m perfectly honest. The first Sunday that the church I currently serve as deacon returned to in-person worship, I wrestled with this question.
There are many passages of Scripture that we can turn to that deal with the need for in-person, corporate worship. The most famous would of course be Hebrews 10:25 which admonishes the forsaking of the assembly.
But I want to draw your attention to another passage of scripture if you will so let me. In the closing of John’s third letter, I believe that we are left with a biblical approach to leadership and community.
3 John 1:13-14
13 I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; 14 But I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.
John is here writing to a man named Gaius. This man is not just some stranger to John, no, he is “beloved” by John. John had a strong passion and love for this man whom he pastored. John was filled with joy because Gaius and those under his leadership were found faithful and obedient in their walk with the Lord.
John understood that part of being an overseer is to celebrate successes, encourage and build-up, and earnestly love those whom God had given him leadership over.
It is in this context that we find the closing of the letter. I can almost imagine John sitting at a desk, folding this letter up and thinking to himself as tears fall from his eyes, “I am so proud, but man I wish I could be there to hug Gaius and see him face-to-face.”
John used the media and means which were at his current disposal in order to accomplish his ministry, and yet even he knew that ink, paper, and pen were no replacement for eye-to-eye, face-to-face, knee-to-knee communication, and community.
Just take a moment to think about this, John didn’t know when he was penning this letter that God was using His to write an authoritative word. John didn’t know that this letter would be included in the canon of scripture. Yet here we find a canonical book basically saying that pen and ink are ok, they will basically get the job done, but they cannot and should not replace Christian fellowship and community. This fact is huge!
It is with this truth in mind that I have to look at social media and live streaming for what it is. It is a bandaid. It can be used greatly in the life of an unbeliever who has not heard the Gospel. It can be used for much edification in the life of the homebound and sick. It can even be used as a moment to pause a family vacation and gather around biblical preaching in family worship.
But hear my heart, Social media, and online services are no substitute or replacement for the local church
But hear my heart, Social media, and online services are no substitute or replacement for the local church. You cannot bear one another’s burdens through twitter. You cannot feel the weight of a preached word though a cell phone screen. You cannot hold one another truly accountable through pen and ink.
So, Why should we get back to in-person worship you ask? Because, as a loving shepherd who desired Gaius and the rest of his flock to “prosper” once knew, nothing can replace the face-to-face love of the gathered body of Christ!
Written by and shared with permission from Josh Baker at A Sojourner’s Journey
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