The Power of Presence
“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:25
There’s no substitute for old-fashioned, in-person fellowship. But the post-Covid reality among many in the Christian church is an increasingly virtual one. Meetings that would’ve been conducted in person have been relegated to the screen. In the virtual corporate world as well, the newest wave of office fashion is business casual on top, plaid pajama pants down below. Perhaps it could be said with some irony that only a part of us can truly be present over a Zoom call. Presence matters. It matters especially when our meetings aren’t merely a matter of information transfer, but of worship.
The author of Hebrews calls us to faithfully gather of believers for worship and mutual encouragement. This is an essential habit of the Christian—and not one that we begrudge, because as 1 John 2:9-10 states: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.” What do we do when we love somebody? We pursue them. Nearness is the context where love finds its fullest expression.
The application for the Lord’s Day to meet with God’s family—the ones we love isn’t a burden, but a boon. And the command is as clear as a bell. But how else could we apply this? I would suggest that for any significant meetings between believers, we ought to make every effort to meet in-person. Why? On the one hand, when it comes to tension or conflict, it’s always easier to be cold and distant in a detached environment. Said positively, when we’re sitting next across the table, love and unity flow more naturally. All the same, in the absence of conflict, excitement and joy for God’s mission are more easily stoked in the context of presence. Even if the whole world goes virtual, this is territory that we can’t afford to surrender!
There are churches today that are opting to go completely virtual—to offer high quality streaming services. But despite the efficiency and convenience of pajama church, it’s not biblical worship. It lacks essential ingredients. The power of presence—a love and unity that can only be achieved when embodied creatures go through all the trouble of getting to church, despite screaming kids, expensive T-passes, and fluctuating gas prices. God’s program for worship isn’t virtual. It’s a powerful display of Jesus crucified and resurrected bodily, for those who have gathered together in the flesh.
