Let Us Be Bacon
Last week, we along with, it seems, many churches in America pivoted from live worship to online services in a matter of a few days. For me, the shift was both a big stretch and a huge opportunity.
A stretch, because of my “we don’t cancel church” mindset. The same mindset that had us worshiping in Blue Jacket Park when the hurricanes shut down our access to Winter Park High School in 2004.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
An opportunity because, well… we don’t cancel church.
When our team quickly moved our worship service online, we went from “One Church: Multiple Locations” to “One Church: 959 Locations.” (This was the number of times individuals and groups accessed the online service to bring the church into their spaces.)
I imagine there are a lot of amazing stories about how people engaged in service, and I hope that sharing mine will encourage you to share yours.
Saturday afternoon, I sent a text to friends and family who live near us and invited them to join us for church in our home. Everyone was encouraged to “tithe bacon” because bacon makes breakfast awesome. My wife Brandy would make a mass of pancakes (something she does every week just for our family), we would share breakfast at 8:30 a.m., and participate in the worship service at 9 a.m.
In the morning, friends and bacon arrived on cue and we were a bit late starting service because we were having so much fun hanging out. I encouraged people to fully participate—to sing, to stand, etc. All 20-something of us gathered in view of our TV and “had church,” and honestly, it was awesome. It was awesome because the content was great and we fully participated, but it was also awesome because our little gathering felt like triumph in the midst of uncertainty. Somehow our gathering felt like more than just getting by; it felt like a victory in the face of circumstantial adversity.
In the very fluid dynamics of COVID-19 response, what worked last week might not work this week. With the recommendation of no gatherings of more than 10 individuals, our household of nine (including our wonderful guest on staff exchange from Nairobi Chapel, Janelle) is left with room to invite one person this week. However, we draw encouragement in this reality. After all, “we don’t cancel church” is more than the stubborn attitude of young leaders who didn’t know any better. It is the promise and pattern of Scripture.
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
The Church, in its truest form, is carried in the people who bear the name of Christ. If this week church for me looks like worship with my wife and kids, I welcome the opportunity. If for you, it looks like connecting with your people digitally and together engaging in the service online, then make the most of it. Doing so is not a lesser version of church—it is what the Church does in these exact circumstances.
The weeks ahead will continue to present challenges and opportunities. My hope is that each of us will do more than bide our time until it passes. Let us instead make the most of every opportunity to live, love, and connect in ways that bring light into our lives and the world around us. In other words, let us be bacon for the world!
John Parker is the lead pastor at Summit Church. He enjoys woodworking and boats and dreams of building his own boat in the coming years.
If you would like to share your story of worshiping with us online or tell us how you are connecting in community digitally, email us at communications@summitconnect.org!