Online Worship? We’re Just Getting Started…
Ask most folks who grew up in the church and they’ll tell you a similar story… get up early on Sunday morning, dress in your Sunday best attire, and when you get to church you better be on your best behavior! Back then there were few, if any excuses not to attend church in-person. Fast-forward a few years and we began seeing church on TV – what a concept. Jim Baker, Juanita Bynum, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, T.D. Jakes, Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson, Paula White… just to name a few. Fast-forward again to the early 2000’s and the digitalization of church service was introduced, hence online worship from the comfort of your living room, hotel room, RV, or vacation rental – how convenient.
Fast-forward one last time to early 2020 and the unimaginable happens – a pandemic that literally stops the world in its tracks. The words COVID, quarantine, and social-distancing became everyday vocabulary, and let’s not forget the phrases “new norm” and “I can’t wait until things get back to normal” are heard everywhere.
Attending worship service was one of many changes that we had to embrace. At first, it seemed odd to attend online services digitally (Facebook, YouTube). Personally, I felt a little guilty sleeping in on Sunday, then getting up in enough time to log on in time to catch the 9:45 service – all in the comfort of my jammies while drinking my 2nd cup of coffee. But after a year in, and looking back, it was actually nice.
Here’s what I’ve learned from my online worship experience:
- Charles welcomes recommendations. So much so that when I recommended posting worship services to YouTube in addition to Facebook he gladly obliged. Oh, and did I mention that when you let us know of your online attendance via YouTube, you’ll get a friendly welcome from me
- A shoutout to Ginger Abbot who’s the awesome greeter for Facebook – thank you
- You can only type up to 200 characters in the chat section of YouTube
- The online services we enjoy on Sundays are actually prerecorded a few days in advance – thanks Charles, Shawn, Clay, and the band/choir for all that you do to pull it together for us each week
- Online worship service increases outreach and attendance – it’s a fact and it’s awesome
With the amazing increase in attendance through online worship service at Wright’s Chapel, we’re excited to expand our outreach through online opportunities both within and outside of our community. I’m humbled and excited to be supporting you as the Director of Connection for the ministries at Wright’s Chapel. Whether you choose to worship with us in-person or online from your home in Virginia or another state/country, we’re here to support you. Have a question about Wright’s Chapel? Do you have an interest in learning more about the ministries at Wright’s Chapel and how you can get involved? Feel free to reach out to me directly via email at tonya@wrightschapel.org or by phone or text at 540-604-0038. I look forward to hearing from you.
As we enter into Holy Week, I welcome you to invite friends or family members to attend worship service with you. How great is it to have the option to attend worship service with loved ones remotely – from virtually anywhere!
I look forward to supporting you in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world – together, we can.
Blessings,
Tonya Trice
