By, Mike Tackett
1. I MISS REAL ASSEMBLY
Virtual church can’t answer the command to “come together” (1 Cor 11:17). The Greek word for “come together” is like our English word synergy. Just like you cannot compare attending a live, large concert to watching one on TV, you cannot compare assembling to “virtualing”. I miss experiencing the mutually beneficial energy, cohesion and belonging. I miss feeling the faith, prayers, songs and worship which are transformational and exponentially stronger when we join hearts and hands. I don’t want to be alone anymore, I miss being with my family.
2. I MISS THE LORD’S SUPPER
1 Cor. 11:17-34 points out that in the assembly the supper was all about being together, unified, basking in the bonds of love that the communion was intended to emphasize. The communion is not just a time of quiet reflection while I partake of the bread and wine; but rather a time when we share, edify and encourage each other. It is like a family meal where everyone belongs and is confirmed as part of the family unit. The weak are encouraged, wounds are healed and safety is enjoyed. Jesus is invited in as is displayed in the presence of His “body and blood” and He communes with me, and with His whole body. I don’t want to “eat” at an empty table.
3. I MISS THE GIFTS OF OTHERS
Romans 12 says the assembly is a time when individual gifts are to be used to build up the body. Those gifts include love, service, exhortation, giving, mercy and teaching. While I get some of the benefits of these gifts through “virtualing”, I feel like a man in prison who only gets pictures and phone calls from home, and it just isn’t the same as being there. I want to see and hear and touch my family. I want to experience watching young ones grow and joyfully show off their new practiced skills. I need their gifts like I need air.
4. I MISS EDIFICATION
The root Greek word for edify is “oikos”, which means “house”. So, you could say our assembly is about the house. We meet to tend to the house, to renovate, remodel, clean and constantly maintain the house. Nothing is sadder than a neglected, run-down house. I feel virtual church is the equivalent of neglecting the house. I’m not talking about the building, I mean the people, the “household of God” (Eph 2:19). I need the skills of my church family to make sure my house doesn’t fall down!
It’s pretty simple, I don’t want a virtual experience, I want the real thing.
