The Church Has Left the Building

So, what do you do when a global pandemic prevents you from gathering for worship and forces you to stay at home? For Ed Griffin, the answer involves a trombone. On a typical Sunday, worshippers in the sanctuary can hear Ed play along as part of the orchestra in support of our congregational singing, but in these times, which are anything but typical, Ed uses his beloved instrument to bring a little joy to his neighbors. On Saturday afternoons, he stands on the front lawn of his home in the Bridlewood subdivision of southwest Roanoke and offers up a free mini-concert to anyone who is interested in listening. Neighbors gather on their front lawns, many donning face masks and all keeping a safe distance from one another as Ed offers up familiar tunes to brighten their day. He always begins with Amazing Grace, which is then followed by various songs from his decades-long repertoire as a semi-professional musician. This might include patriotic songs, show tunes, beloved hymns – anything to offer up a little encouragement and a sense of connection to other human beings. (You can read more about Ed’s trombone concerts at https://theroanoker.com/blogging/behind-the-page/the-sounds-of-solace).

This is just one example of the many stories of how people are creatively finding simple ways to be a source of hope and encouragement to others during this unprecedented season of disruption. Many of the events and programs we once took for granted are simply not available right now, so we have to find alternate means of fulfilling the mission God has given us. As Christians, we often think that one of our primary goals should be to invite people to come to church, on the assumption that getting them to church will be the first step in connecting them to Jesus. But what do you do when you can’t take them to church? Answer: you take the church to them. This will look different from one person to the next or from one household to the next, because we all have to look for ways to serve that fit within the unique resources, opportunities, and abilities God has placed at our disposal, but the goal should be same in every situation: to be a blessing to someone else.

I recently posted something on my personal social media page asking people to share ways they are trying to serve and help others around them during this crisis. Many of the responses I got are simple and straightforward, but the cumulative effect of these many small touches can have a huge impact on the emotional and spiritual well-being of our community. Many spoke of taking time to write cards or send messages in various ways to others, especially those who are alone. Some are taking food and leaving it on a neighbor’s front doorstep where it can be safely received. Others are making face masks and delivering them to folks who need them. A couple of folks are fostering animals so the local animal shelters can safely reduce the number of staff needed and thereby reduce the chance of spreading the virus. Volunteers are helping one of our local mission houses continue to serve the people in their neighborhood. One family makes a daily posting on social media inviting others to pray for specific categories of people in need that particular day. And I know from personal experience that a small team continues to operate our weekly food pantry so that folks need can find a little help and hope in getting through this crisis.

The point is not to promote ourselves and our many good deeds. We should keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 6:3 – “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” The point is to recognize that the church is still the church, even when the building is closed. The church is wherever her people are, and that means right now the church is scattered throughout our community. God is giving us an unprecedented opportunity in these days to be the church by sharing from whatever he has given us to share. That is why we are providing a very simple tool to help us all be more intentional about making ourselves available to others as agents of love and hope. On the opposing page, you’ll find two cards you can cut out (and duplicate) to place on a neighbor’s door. You can fill in your personal information, and then invite others to let you know how you can help. Your neighbor may choose to ignore it, which is certainly his or her prerogative, but you never know what need or what opportunity for meaningful conversation may emerge as a result. Of course, don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you uncover a need that exceeds your ability to meet, but begin with confidence God will provide you with the resources to respond to your neighbor in love.

In Exodus 4:2, as God is calling Moses into service and as Moses is protesting his lack of qualifications, God asks Moses, “What is that in your hand?” It was the shepherd’s staff Moses used to herd his sheep. God asked Moses to throw it on the ground, and it became a snake. We tend to get caught up in the bizarre and miraculous nature of this story, but let’s not overlook an incredibly simple fact. God asked Moses to identify the routine object in his hand, an object that was an ordinary and necessary component of his vocation as a shepherd. With God in the mix, that simple object became an instrument of divine power, through which God would lead his people to freedom. Maybe we should hear God asking us a similar question right now. What is that in your hand? A baking dish? A note card? A cloth face mask? If we are willing to throw that simple object down at God’s feet, how might he use it to bring hope or healing right now to someone who needs it?