Day 9: “Gathering Together in a Zoom-Boom Culture”

Day 9:

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

WEEK TWO: MONDAY 23 MARCH 2020

“Gathering Together in a Zoom-Boom Culture”

“As the coronavirus spreads and more and more people retreat from public spaces, I foresee a Zoom Boom: meeting in a Zoom Room will come to seem normal, not so much postmodern as postviral.”  Olivia Judson, scientist and writer, in a March 17, 2020 newspaper editorial.

And what us Zoom? It is a social media platform where a few or dozens can gather together for a shared conversation. At PaxPres we are using the Zoom webinar feature as we gather on Sunday mornings for the live sermon. 

Countless churches used Zoom yesterday to communicate worship and sermons to the faithful. So did we. While this is a new experience for me, I believe Olivia Judson is right: after the time of the virus is over, Zoom will remain a part of who we are – I know it will be for me in terms of contacting family and friends and especially when wanting to have all of our scattered family together in the same ‘Zoom Room.’ Imagine – yes, imagine, how God can use Zoom in evangelism, in reaching the world for Christ.

I like to watch TV programs that show Billy Graham crusades of yore, and as the altar call is given and thousands sing “Just as I am” and begin to fill the aisles coming forward to accept Christ there is a palpable response within me, an emotional awareness that someone who doesn’t know Christ can watch an archived activity and be brought to Christ by the Holy Spirit as though they were actually there, moved by what they are watching just as I am.

So there is really no place in space or time where Jesus is not present, where He cannot, through the Holy Spirit, work in and through our lives. As we ‘gather together’ via technology, though separated, we are, through this work of the Holy Spirit, together as one Body of Christ. May you sense this being-absent-yet-present work of the Holy Spirit as we ‘gather’ each Sunday morning via technology.

Reflective scripture: Colossians 2:5 “For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit,…”

Reflective hymn: We Have Come to Join in Worship (#207)

We have come to join in worship and adore the Lord our God.

Let us come in prayer expecting God to speak His mighty Word.

All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down.

Christians, pray, and holy manna, will be showered all around. 

Reflective prayer: Write your own

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