So, what did you think about our first plunge into the world of an online church service? From my perspective, it was a little bit strange preaching to an almost empty room. I missed the way we connect through eye-contact and smiles; and I really missed that occasional “Amen!” that sometimes can be heard over the roar of the AC and the sounds of snoring. I missed speaking with you before and after the service. I missed the sweet and wonderful ways you have always encouraged me. I missed the amazingness of the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ!
But, after the “On-site Team” [Bethany, Luella, Mark, David Gilbert and me] finished the service, we were able to go online ourselves, and that’s when we began to realize that, even though the building was empty, the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ was, and is, still there. We could see that many of you had tuned in from your “embassy buildings” all over the Northshore. We could see that many of you posted sweet and encouraging comments. And, we could see that some other people, including former members and relatives, had also joined in and viewed our online service. I believe that the “amazingness” of TOCC is still alive and well!
And yes, we could see that there were some glitches that we will try to address for future online services. Your patience as we proceed in this new arena is much appreciated. It’s going to be a learning experience for all of us. [And, I wonder – does this mean that I am now a “televangelist”?]
Of course, one of the benefits of online church is the opportunity to view the services of sister congregations. Renee’s mother said that she had participated in 3 Communions on Sunday. The good news is that, now that most of us are dealing with extra “down-time”, we don’t have to keep on watching repeats of Hallmark movies, or of the 2019 LSU Tigers – The Greatest Team in the History of College Football – and their Undefeated National Championship Season. We can easily find online church services. In fact, the hardest part will be deciding which ones to watch. This strange time we find ourselves in could be one of the best opportunities for personal spiritual growth we will ever have.
Through it all, I pray that we do not forget and start to drift away from each other. It is the time for “social distancing”; it is NOT the time for “spiritual distancing”. It will be important that each of us take some of our “extra” time and stay in touch with one another. We cannot see and hug each other right now, but we can call and text and email, and we can even write actual letters and cards like they used to do in the olden days!
This strange time will end, and we will be able to be together again someday. And we have the ability to choose what that will look like. Will we return at all? Will we return as bitter and lonely souls who have deprived ourselves of spiritual nourishment? Or will we return spiritually strong and eager to embrace one another again, eager to share stories of how we have seen God working during this time, eager to share truths and lessons from God’s Word that we have learned, eager to rejoice and worship our God as a gathered family once again? I know which choice I am making, and I pray that all of you have already made the same choice.
And when that day of return actually comes, we will all see and feel and know, perhaps for the first time in our lives, the truth and beauty of King David’s words in Psalm 122:1-2:
“When they said, ‘Let’s go to the House of God,’ my heart leaped for joy! And now at last we stand here, inside the very gates!”
Amen!
Ambrose K. Ramsey III
Shepherd
