Two years ago, I wrote, “Is it really St. Patrick’s Day without parades and pubs?” Covid had shut almost everything down, and we coped by going virtual. Now the crisis is past, and today parades and pubs are back, not to mention packed stadiums for March Madness. Are all churchgoers back to live worship?
Most pastors will say, “No.” Last year Lifeway Research put this statement before survey participants. “Worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church.” 66 percent agreed. Only 10 percent strongly disagreed. Most Americans are saying, “It doesn’t matter where my body is. Spiritual thoughts suffice for worship.”
Virtual St. Patrick’s Day wasn’t an adequate substitute for today’s real festivities. The word “real,” as in “real estate” comes from the Latin word “res.” Its basic meaning is property, matter. In-person worship is about really being there. For example, the Lord’s Supper is “real” presence, not just a spiritual or virtual presence. In a most mysterious way, Jesus gives you His true body and blood. Obviously, you need to be really present to receive it. I won’t take time to list other reasons for being really present for Sunday worship. Virtual St. Patrick’s Day isn’t the real thing, and neither is virtual church.
How do we reduce that percentage, 66%, who think you don’t have to be really present? By understanding ourselves that church is bodily participation, not just head knowledge. Bonhoeffer called it living “this-worldly lives,” Christians being in community, addressing the real life body and soul problems of people in and outside of Christ. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, happy March Madness, and here’s hoping you can attend real, bodies and souls getting together, worship this Sunday.