By David A. Cox
Synopsis: The after-effects of the COVID crisis on in-person assemblies of the Lord’s church have driven many to see worship in a way that does not keep God’s view of worship in mind.
In March of 2020, no one could have imagined the complex unraveling that would take place as this nation closed the doors of many things determined to be non-essential activities. The government declared church gatherings to be non-essential, and many states required that churches stop their assemblies. This decision was monumental, for most churches in this nation have always been seen as safe places. In the past, when tragic and unraveling events of life occurred, people could find stability in the churches. However, the recent pandemic brought about a fear of gathering together and affected the worship of saints throughout the nation.
Elders, preachers, leaders of congregations, and individual members grappled with what to do. Assembling with the church is not something that members of the church can quickly pass over (Heb. 10:25). As disciples of the Lord, we are to be guided in our faith and practice by the scriptures. Christians are to be subject to those in governmental positions of authority (Rom. 13:1-7). Christians also understand that “we ought to obey God rather than man” (Acts 5:29). In dealing with these principles, congregations made various decisions about the in-person worship services. Many held had some kind of online service. Members could tune in from their homes, view the services, and have a time of devotion and service in their home. It is not the purpose of this article to pass judgment about the decisions that occurred. The decisions were varied, and I know fully that many, if not all, were made with much prayer, care, and a keen awareness of the gravity of the decisions. Rather than looking back, we need to look ahead as we come out of the pandemic and see what we are to do to please the Lord now.
In considering the thought “Face to Face,” the Scriptures indeed emphasize this idea in suggesting a close and intimate relationship. In John’s epistles, he writes:
Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full (2 John 12).
. . .but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name (3 John 13-14).
Isolation is not good, and many adverse effects flow from it. In the Scriptures, the emphasis and the expression of this closeness can only be experienced when brethren are together.
From the shutdowns of the pandemic, it is easy to see why the Lord desires His people to be in groups (congregations) as they live and serve Him. How often have people expressed the yearning desire to be able to shake hands, give hugs, see smiles, and hear the voices of their brethren? Without being in the assembly, these things disappeared. God knew that man was a social creature from the beginning and possessed a great need for companionship (Gen. 2:18). It should not be surprising to any that God set in place the church for Christians to come together to interact and edify one another. The Hebrew writer speaks of the assemblies and the encouragement Christians are to give one another as we live to serve the Lord (Heb. 10:24-25). Before these instructions, the writer says, “let us draw near. . .” (Heb. 10:22). It is true that to “draw near” is in a spiritual sense, but as the text continues, the drawing near includes physically drawing near to one another. We need one another! God knows we need one another, and He has told us to assemble together.
The purpose of worship is to give God the praise, honor, and glory that is due Him. Also, God designed worship to be done with others. In the book of Acts and throughout the epistles, Christians came together to worship. The gathering of the people of God is a special time—an occasion when Christians come together to sing, pray, study, give, and partake of the Lord’s Supper. As we prepare for worship and go through the worship of God, all should be uplifted, strengthened, edified, and motivated in their service to God. There are times in life when individuals may not be able to come together face to face to worship. In these times, souls face the most significant challenges to their faith. Why? It is because they miss the encouragement, instruction, and the things others do for them. What was lacking when we were not allowed to assemble in person for gatherings of the church? The number one thing I was told time and again, and I experienced this myself, was the blending of voices, one with another, to praise God. You can sing at home by yourself, with a recording, or with a few others, but it does not replicate the singing that takes place in the assembly. The teaching and admonition of one another were not present during the shutdown of assemblies. It was just not the same. We must not think of it as just an odd feeling, but it was also the failure to do what the Lord desires. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns” (Col. 3:16). “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). In all areas of worship, being “face to face” as we assemble is paramount.
There are many things in life that we might do and enjoy while not being face to face, but worship is simply not one of them. Those who are infirmed, or just unable to be at services, have always expressed how they miss the “face to face” gatherings. The most important thing to remember is that God knows us well. He knows everything about us. He knows what is best for us. God has made it clear that His people should come together face to face. The establishment of the Lord’s Supper and the command for followers of Christ to partake of it until Jesus comes again gives a time that God has enjoined upon us to do together. God has commanded us to do this because He knows we need to be together. We need to share in fellowship with one another as we live in this life. There are many uncertainties in life, but the importance of gathering together with the saints of God is not something about which we should be uncertain.
May we be strong in faith as we face the obstacles confronting us in life, especially as we are faced with attacks on our face-to-face worship. Let us resolve to serve the Lord, trust in His power, and worship Him as He desires for us to do.
