One of the blessings of ‘lockdown’ has been the ability to livestream church services via the internet, whether it is through Zoom, YouTube, or some other social media platform.  Many churches have testified that during lockdown when it was necessary to livestream, some people who would normally not watch a church service have been doing so.  Some strangers have pleaded with churches to continue providing that service, for a spouse or a teenage child is again hearing the good news of Christ.   

Some churches have been surprised how the Lord has used their livestream to change people’s hearts about the Christian faith and total strangers are now attending their worship services.  We could mention the added blessing that those who cannot attend a public worship service because their immunity is compromised due to illness, can still be part of the worship at home.  So, we give thanks to the Lord, that He, through His Word and Spirit can use live streaming technology to change hearts and reach the lost.  What a great blessing!   Perhaps we shouldn’t call it ‘livestreaming’ anymore, but ‘love-streaming’.

But as is often the case, blessings can easily be misused, and some churches are now struggling with encouraging members back to corporate worship after lockdowns are either easing or finished.  Without doubt, there is something ‘easy’ about watching a Sunday Church worship service from the comfort of your lounge chair.  However, as most people have already testified to, there is nothing as beautiful as meeting together again for worship and Christian fellowship. 

So, what do we do with our live streaming of worship services?  Some churches in their endeavour to get members to return to corporate worship and provide spiritual and pastoral care for them have asked members to register for services.  They do so because they are concerned for those members who are possibly falling between the cracks and are no longer attending worship.   One could see some benefit but entering your name, or email address or a password can be a hindrance. 

Others are suggesting we use registration for it will protect us against people accusing us of ‘hate-speech’, or ‘racism’ or in some other way not being culturally sensitive. Really?  Since when should a leader of worship use hate speech or be racist or not culturally sensitive?   Surely, the very essence of the Christian faith is not ‘hate-speech’ or being ‘racist’ or insensitive, but ‘love-speech’ and reaching out to all faiths, peoples, races, tribes and endeavouring to show them the love of Christ.  Jesus didn’t come to condemn but reached out to the lost and showed them the love of God, not just to the Jews, but also the Gentiles.  And if there are leaders of worship using the opportunity for ‘hate-speech,’ or making ‘racist’ remarks, then the love of Christ doesn’t drive them, and they should be corrected quickly or should step down or be removed from that position.   

So, let us continue to ‘love-stream’ the beauty and love of Christ and his wonderful salvation into a world where so many are living in darkness.  JZ