Livestream is a Great Option, But Not “Option A”
We were so thankful for Central livestreaming its worship services this past Sunday. Let me give you the quick backstory.
I preached at Central Sunday morning and then our family took off on a trip. Our elders were gracious in giving me a few days off to travel to Texas to meet our new nephew, who was born last week. Our plan was to drive about half-way, go to worship somewhere locally, and then finish our trip Monday morning. However, our “timing” was off in one place to stop for worship (partially because many congregations in that area have not restarted Sunday evening services yet) and, as we continued down the road, we got caught in a horrible traffic jam. We were literally sitting on the interstate (to the point that I got out and walked around for a few minutes). It was obvious that we were not going anywhere anytime soon. So, thankful for technology, we found Central’s Sunday night service and watched it in our car! We were so thankful to be able to worship in such a weird set of circumstances (and to hear dad preach!!!).
But it got me thinking, too. All along, we had talked about where we were going to be in time for worship. One of our kids kept saying, “We can just watch the livestream.” (Of course, we had to remind that child that we would still have to stop to do that. Little did we know we would be stopped–right on the road!) We told them that we knew that was an option, but we were not going to make it “option A.”
Now, for some, livestreaming needs to be “option A.” Right now, there are some who have to stay home due to quarantine from the virus (or exposure to it). There are always those who are recovering from surgery or who are sick. There are other circumstances that are totally out of our control that make watching a worship service via livestream “option A” for many people, and it is totally understandable. For them, a congregation should be doing its best to provide a good livestream so they can worship even when they are unable to be in the building.
However, I fear that for a great number of other people, livestream has become “option A” for no other reason than it is just convenient. That, to me, is unnerving.
- We oversleep a bit, so “we’ll just watch the livestream.”
- We stay up really late on Saturday night so we CAN sleep in and just watch the livestream.
- We have guests for the weekend and, instead of “inconveniencing” them by going to worship, we watch the stream at home.
- We leave for a trip and catch the livestream (or watch the recording at some point) instead of planning our trip around worshiping God.
- We worship in person on Sunday morning, but prop our feet up in our living room on Sunday night and watch the livestream because we’re a little tired.
Now, again, I am thankful we have livestreaming! It was invaluable to us this past Sunday night and provided my little family with an opportunity to worship when circumstances had made it where being in-person with a local congregation was literally impossible.
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t “option A.” And, for most of us, now that churches are meeting again and doing what they can to keep us safe, it should not be “option A” very often for very many Christians anymore. It should be for those who are truly homebound or caught in very odd circumstances. But if it is just “easier” or “more convenient” ;or “comfortable,” it shouldn’t be an option at all!
Just consider how many “one another” passages cannot be fulfilled if we are intentionally making livestreaming “option A” in our home. Consider what we are teaching our children if we could go in person, but choose to take the easier way out. Consider those who are leading in worship or teaching Bible classes while you take the easier way unnecessarily. Consider the elders who are watching for your soul and wondering if you are okay…or just doing what’s easy.
Livestreaming is a great option, and I’m glad we have it. But, for you, have you made it “option A” for reasons that need to be reconsidered…and changed?
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
