Are there any advantages to “digital church?” Well … there’s the comfort of pajamas. The brain cells saved by not deciding what you’ll wear … or trying to remember what you wore last week. How about comfortable seating? Please text me if you’ve managed to stay awake from your Lazy Boy. That would be the ultimate encouragement to a preacher. You can get up and use the restroom without rubbing knees with an entire row of nearly strangers. You can receive a call without glaring around, pretending it’s not your phone.
Funny story about that. During the video service we broadcast that had such serious sound issues, one of our people texted me and said, “Talk to me, I can help you with those sound issues.” So I called him. I was embarrassed … but a little pleased when he hoarsely whispered, “Not now, I’m listening to the pastor!”
Here’s my last one … you can unwrap a hard candy in the middle of the sermon without receiving the collective glare of shame.
Now, let’s talk about what you can’t do from home. Our CBC Bible readthrough just started the book of Romans. This book is considered by many, the Apostle Paul’s greatest work. It’s studied for its deep theological, Christological insights. It’s so well written that excerpts of it have made their way into non-Christian literature classes. I’ve read it many times, but I saw something new this time. I think my eyes were opened to this by my isolation from all of you. In his opening Paul writes …
I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:10–12
