I’m writing this as the Lord’s Day draws to a close, a day when yet again it’s been sad to think of all the churches in the land lying empty. Certainly many people are working hard to provide us with the spiritual food we need to go forward in faith. On television, radio and online there is an abundance of devotional material. On any given Lord’s Day you could be listening, watching and reading all day!
One television programme we regularly see is ‘Reflections At The Quay’, the ‘Quay’ being the location of BBC Scotland. The format is quite simple with readings, music and reflections from 2 speakers usually from different Christian traditions. Behind them as they speak is what can only be described as a glass wall through which you can see the Clyde and also activity on the walkway. People walking, jogging, pushing baby carriers and cycling. Today two young men in cycling gear could be seen peering through the glass.
It reminds me of the short walk to St Paul’s from the Manse on the Lord’s Day. I see people walking, jogging, pushing baby carriers and cycling. Not many give the church a glance. As I lead worship, grateful as I am for everyone who has gathered, I am often conscious of the life that is going on around us and is unconnected with us. Maybe some people are not without thoughts of God but they wouldn’t think of even stopping to peer in on us.
It has been said that in these Covid-19 days more people are logging on to Church websites especially the worship and that this must continue to be a vital tool in our future mission. Maybe people are open to the message if not to the Church. Recent findings in the USA, however, are suggesting a decline in online interest even among committed Christians, sometimes as much as 30%. Well, we’re receiving a lot of mixed messages at the moment and maybe we just need to file this away for the times to tell their tale.
However things work out it should never be forgotten that it was as a community, visible and serving, showing the impact of Christ on their lives, that the first followers of Jesus made an impact on the society of which they were a part. It wasn’t just the quality of their worship but the quality of their life together which flowed out and touched lives. One of the most intriguing verses in the early chapters of Acts comes in a description of the early days of the apostles’ witness in Jerusalem:
‘No-one else dared to join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people, Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.’ (Acts 5: 13-14)
There’s a picture there of people on the outside peering in, feeling that they couldn’t really be part of this, but in the end not being able to resist the pull. The Spirit so powerfully revealed in the heart of this community performed His transforming work and passersby and onlookers became participants in this vibrant movement.
However many blessings and ‘opportunities’ there have been in these days of lockdown when we come out the challenge is still before us.
