A few of you might already have the answer to this. A few of you might even be attending physical locations for services.
So,let me tell you about an interesting conversation with a long lost friend. Niceities aside, the first thing he asked was if "my church" has restarted services. And by that he was asking if the services were open for public to gather in physical locations and all of that.
Since, my church has decided against resuming physical gatherings, I told him that we hadn't. His answer was the most perplexing thing I had heard all week, and mind you, my week wasn't boring or calm. ( The university that I come under decided to conduct exams, cancel and reschedule them, all in 2 days.!)
He said, "Looks like we're doing better, at least our church services are happening". I understood he meant that they were able to go out to an actual building and gather in person. Yes, you are right. No, it isn't wrong. After all the government did clear it.
My church did not resume services because of the large number of people that attend each service and to avoid all the gatherings that could potentially cause infection. At least that is what I assume. But, we do have regular services online throughout the week.
The only thing that troubled me was, both of us have been listening to our pastors tell us repeatedly about how there was no distance in the spirit. We have also been taught that we, the people of God, are the church. The church was never a building. It was never meant to be. We the body of Christ are the church. A walking , talking, living, breathing church.
In the Scriptures church can refer to the group of believers in a particular location, such as a city or region, or to the entire body of believers God has called. (When Jesus said, “… I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18), He was referring the Church—His chosen people)
So, in theory, the churches were never shut in the first place, for them to reopen. You are the church. The place we refer to as the "church" is actually just the building that hosts the church when they meet in person.
I do not consider myself as knowing anything more than any of you, but this is just something that I think would help, if you miss that fellowship that you enjoyed when you were meeting in person. And the best part is most of us are already doing it. We meet online from time to time. Just because you can't meet them in person doesn't mean you'll have to forego the fellowship you once enjoyed. You already know.
And it's surprising how people who know about it too are mistaken sometimes. And though most of you might already know this, consider this a friendly reminder. Fellowship is very important and given our present situation, online counts too.!
Thanks for reading.
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