Around the year 1440 Johannes Gutenberg created a printing press with moveable type. This technology changed the world. The press broke the monopoly of knowledge held by an elite few, and began the democratization of information. I feel that this led directly to the Reformation of the Church. Eventually we began to understand that the word of God is for all people. Along with that came the understanding that ministry is in our hands. Instead of going to one person as the fount of all knowledge about God, we could discover God for ourselves, in the Word, in practice, and in a community of equals before God.
In July of 1999 I moved from the greater LA basin, where I had been born and raised, and where all of my friends lived. I was called to serve the Saint Andrew UMC in Santa Maria. The people of that congregation were wonderful and welcoming, and I eventually began to make friendships in town (which last to this day). But at the beginning, I felt cut off. I was hours away from my friends and social support system. I could occasionally persuade some to come and visit, but those visits were few and far between. I thank God for the internet. Through instant messaging on the computer, I was able to be in contact with my friends and loved ones. It was not as good as a hug or a shared meal, but it filled my soul. There were some occasions where I had many windows open – many conversations – going at once. Technology saved my spirit and allowed for continuity of care in changing times.
Innovation can lead change and innovation can help us adapt to changing circumstances.
This is where we are as believers. The technological innovations are not leading the change, but they can be tools by which we continue to be who we are and to do what we do. This week many of us are learning new ways of teaching, sharing, providing for ourselves, and staying connected with others. It isn’t easy, but isn’t it wonderful that the brains God gave us have made these tools possible for such a time as this. The telephone isn’t particularly new technology, but we have actually been using our smartphones to talk to people on the phone (as well as text, email, Skype, Zoom, Facebook, Tweet….).
These changes may feel temporary. We look forward to being in each other’s presence again. I know that day will come. But I realize with great joy that we will learn from this experience! This will spark our imaginations and open us up to continuing to innovate, so that the many who have been left out by the way we have done things in the past will now be able to experience community in these new ways. We will be forever changed, for the good! (Go ahead, sing the song from Wicked.)
Now, I must tell you that it doesn’t feel particularly good to hear that the Governor does not consider communal worship, where we are physically gathered in one place to be essential. Not essential?! Please notice that he is not saying that our faith is not essential to our being. Connecting with our Creator, being in community with others is very much essential to our lives. But we can do this while physically apart from each other, especially when doing so allows us to care for one-another’s well-being.
In fact, we are being given the opportunity, for a while, to do exactly what Jesus taught us:
“‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.’” — Matthew 6:5-6, NRSV
Dear God, Creator of the Universe and Author of Invention, we pause now to be in prayer with you. Calm our fears of what is new and different; help us to find you in all that we see; help us to connect with you as we connect with others in new ways. Allow this time apart to make us cherish the gifts of home and community. And cause our hearts and minds to be with those on the front lines of this battle: with the health care workers and first responders, those who remain at work to provide food, shelter, power, and heat. And help us to reach out to those who have been forgotten. Move to bring healing to the ill and comfort to the grieving. This we pray in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Pastor George