Who would have thought that a year on we might possibly be able to congregate together to celebrate Easter in a Church? For some this is still not possible – but guess what? the Church continues…
For so long now the cry has been ‘we want to return to normality’, to sing together again, “just as in the old days”. History offers that perspective that we may look back, often with fondness, sometimes with a tear in the eye, and see whether progress has been made. Surely to to return to the old days would not be one of progress. What do I mean?
A dynamic church may be one that flows rather than steps, that moves rather than is static, that continues to meet the spiritual needs in this developing post-pandemic society
What have we learnt?
Have we not found a myriad of new ways of being community? Of the ways of contacting people through various forms of social media – other than merely Facebook. Other than students, I wonder whether many of us had even heard of Zoom prior to March 2020 – now it is a verb: “I’ll Zoom you“. But more than that, there has been an awakening of what is just possible without actually meeting up physically. Importantly, the Church continues.
I am reminded by my extrovert friends that they are greatly missing out on being with people, needing to be “riffing off each other” to be successful. They desperately desire to meet again. Whereas the introverts amongst us have possibly enjoyed this time where their energy can be rejuvenated with periods of quietness. Returning to normality will return the bias to the extroverts, who may actually be in the minority.
Adaption
There are a number of great initiatives currently being experimented with – that’s a key word when exploring new dimensions. From Revd Jemima Strain’s Mind, Body and Spirit prayers, where she asks us to: listen to God and let go of the outcome; invite others to encounter God; and always be rooted in relationship. I’m struck by that last clause relating to relationship which has been difficult, but one that we have found ways of overcoming.
Coffee Shop Sunday, which normally meets in a Costa Coffee shop (alternative coffee shops also exist), has now gone online, with amazing results. Many, ignoring geographical limitations through the Internet, can now attend. They can also attend the services afterwards, stop and pause them as they make a brew, return to them whenever. And that also applies to all of the thousands of YouTube offerings released on a Sunday by the multitude of ‘closed churches‘ – the Church continues. Those online Zoom services permit chat which can often further that engagement with the theme that week.
The President of the Methodist Conference said that “As we begin the journey to the cross, let us take comfort in the knowledge that we are never alone, that Jesus is walking with us and that our hope lies in Him.” I have often heard on my telephone calls to parishioners that people’s faith has actually increased over this past year – despite the traumas.
So Adaption you say?
Yes, as we start to develop those ‘Methodist Plans‘, let’s take a pause and ponder on what might we be missing out upon. Those in our communities who have missed the traditional formats will be delighted – and this is such a positive, this is something which maintains their faith. Those in our communities whom have gathered comfort through watching the online provisions – in their PJs, or in bed, whatever – may now be wondering how they can return to the physical presence. Those whom now – a year on, or possibly still shielding – are unwilling or unable to attend a physical service may well feel that they are being disenfranchised with the return. Where is their opportunity to worship regularly with their community? It has been there for nigh on a year for some and now, it could have slipped out of their reach.
And what of the clergy?
To prepare a video online service can take a good part of a week, spread over many weeks. Compared to a service in Church the preparation time is, in my opinion, far far greater – unless you stream the physical service. To seek inclusivity, thus to invite, encourage and collate the inputs from possibly initially reluctant members of the church to provide video or audio clips takes time. To add in various acceptable, with respect to copyright, images and music – a blend of the traditional and more modern – adds more time. Your upload time is dependent upon your internet provider. To return to normality can be a way of reducing that workload. But then again so can rescuing the number of physical services to accommodate those whom wish to attend, whilst also providing time to prepare the online offerings.
Encouraging lay members to consider creating online videos can also be a way forward. It may well be within the scope of the modern mobile phone to create all that is needed ready for upload to Facebook and/or YouTube, thereby eliminating the need for Shotwell or iMovie software. We are not professional film producers but inspirers and encouragers of others to seek God.
What we can be guilty of is seeking to do something when ’us doing something’ may not be the way forward.
I understand that to facilitate their own spirituality could eventually remove our very role as we currently perceive that, but in effect what’s not to like about that? We then have the time to reflect on where the Circuit/Parish is moving with God and help everyone to continue to see that.
Clergy may find that they have additional time now available to take stock of the spirituality of ‘their flock’. What might this mean? Are Clergy supposed to be ‘doing’, ‘leading from the front’ or leading spirituality? In a different way, the Church continues.
So?
Take a sip of that coffee. Savour its intensity and aroma. We may need to change, to adapt.
From the standard Plan which underpins Methodist Worship, where is the foundational layer of the online service? When can we move from 1 in 7 worship to 24/7 worship that the online ‘church’ has enjoyed over this past year? Where is that offering to the outsider to the church that they may take part when they are ready, on whatever day of the week, time of the day, that they are free? The possibilities are endless! What was solid has now become fluid!
A dynamic church which flows rather than steps, that moves rather than is static, that continues to meet the spiritual needs in this developing post-pandemic society
