I really wish you could have come to church this Sunday. I’m not talking to the person who really couldn’t come because they were too sick. But to the growing number of Christians who see church attendance as one of a number of good options for how they spend Sunday morning.

The shift began during the pandemic. At first, we all celebrated the technology that enabled us to watch sermons online. We could even sing along to some worship songs and connect with people on Zoom. But subtly we began to think that what we were doing online was the same as what we used to do in person. It was a natural conclusion to make. Let’s talk about what’s wrong with it. Let me explain why I wish you could have come to church this Sunday.

1. There was someone I wish you could have met

Do you remember the first time you went to church, and someone really connected with you? I’m not talking about the pastor. There was another Christian who noticed you and talked to you and you clicked. Do you remember how important that was for you? When you decide not to come, you miss the opportunity to be that person for someone who may be at a turning point in their faith. Often I’ll meet someone and think, “It would make such a difference if they could meet Sally.” But then I look around and Sally’s not there.

2. I didn’t hear your voice. And you didn’t hear mine

Do you know why we sing in worship services? To praise God, right? That’s only half the story. We sing in order to praise God – together! There’s power in a room full of people expressing their amen in unison. Many of us spend the majority of our week hearing people who reject our faith and think it’s crazy. And it makes it harder for us to believe. Hearing other people voice their praise alongside us strengthens our resolve.

3. You weren’t in the room when it happened

Do you remember that moment in the sermon when everyone got really quiet and leaned in? Or that time when it seemed like everyone was nodding and smiling in agreement. Or where we felt the presence of God? There’s so much of a worship service that you need to be in the room to experience. Not only does it not translate to video, but at home, we’re often more distracted by kids, phone calls, and chores. In-person isn’t the same as online.

4. We couldn’t serve people the way we wanted

Ever been to a restaurant where the servers are short-staffed? Everything feels more frantic. It’s more hurried and less personal. Often the food arrives late or cold. Something similar happens at church when you’re not there. A family member’s missing. There’s one less hand to serve and one more responsibility that someone else has to pick up. We can’t serve people the way we want to. The body of Christ walks with a limp.

5. We lost an opportunity to remind each other of how important Jesus is

Have you ever shown up for a party and there were only two or three people there? You want to turn around and walk right out, don’t you? Ever been to one where people can barely get in? You begin to think, this must be an amazing party – everyone’s here! We communicate something to each other by our actions. And that’s even more true of our attendance at church than it is of parties. When you sacrifice other things to prioritize time to worship with God’s people, it reminds the rest of us how important Jesus is. It’s like an unspoken testimony that strengthens our convictions. The opposite is also true. When you treat other things as more important than worship, it dulls our own sense of just how seriously we should prioritize Jesus.

The pandemic took a lot of things from us. Let’s not let it take the Lord out of the Lord’s Day.

In awe of Him,

Paul