The Israelites at different points in their history were exiled.  During the period of their escape from Egyptian bondage (the wilderness period) and their time in the Babylonian exile- their religion changed.  Christianity had its share of growing edges in its infancy after the Apostles felt exiled from their spiritual leader.  Those who took refuge in the catacombs of early Christianity found ways to worship and create liturgy while living in fear of persecution. 

It is clear that the Coronavirus Exile is going to teach us a few things.  It will shape our future.  Customs may change.  It will define the work we do, the way we worship and even the stability of our future. 

Perhaps it is nothing as major as a new Ten Commandments, or even synagogues growing out of the diaspora, or a canon of epistles that will shape our theology.  

What have you learned in the past month? 

What is your takeaway from your isolating exile?

Our church has held Zoom meetings.  Visitation is done by phone or email.  Fellowship has become a virtual experience.   Worship is created to be a series of segments, pieced together.  Sermons are constructed with a wider audience in mind and writing sermons or liturgy for the worship service takes in mind the congregation could be watching at any time in any place. 

This is what happens when churches realize that their buildings have become a ‘golden calf.’  When the building becomes the point of worship, then we can lose sight of the meaning of church.   While we have gathered in a beautiful church, and I hope we can do that again real soon- my sense is that the church is the congregation!  If the church building no longer existed, then we could continue to be God’s people.  I have truly felt God’s love emanating from the people of our church in these times.

I hope our recent exile will teach us new ways to be the church. 

I hope that we will continue with some Zoom meetings, and that we will learn to use virtual meeting space to bring people together that might not otherwise be able to meet. 

I hope that this time will improve my preaching skills with less reliance on a manuscript—I’ve been a manuscript preacher for 25 years! 

I hope that the simple lifestyle we have been forced to adopt will stick, and that people will be genuinely kinder to each other. 

I hope that we will continue to shop local, and put a higher value on those who have been devalued by society. 

I hope that when all this is over, we can continue to provide online worship services (though maybe one a month). 

Finally, I hope that when things seem truly safe- we will come together in the biggest and best worship service in our sanctuary that our congregation has experienced.  And when that day comes- we will make a joyful noise to the Lord- and we will worship the Lord with gladness.  We will come into God’s presence with singing.  We will enter God’s gates with thanksgiving, and the courtyard of God with praise.  The Lord is good, and God’s steadfast love endures forever! (Ps. 100, adapted)  We will celebrate because He lives, and we will celebrate because the Church lives!

Peace to you in our time of exile.