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Even within our church, as badly as our English and Chinese congregations have been hit by the pandemic, the situation is likely more dire in our minority-language congregations – think, for example, our Myanmar congregation. Many of them in the construction industry have lost their jobs and are tightening on an already penny-pinching budget. Have we considered their hardships, or have we been too selfabsorbed grumbling about not being able to take an overseas vacation this year? My hand is up, I find myself inexcusably guilty of this. Notwithstanding that, and difficult as the circumstances and living conditions may be for our Myanmar brothers and sisters, at least they have some measure of spiritual comfort in Christ. What then about the Shepherd-less beyond the walls of our church, those who are suffering and do not have Christ to turn to? As multitudes upon multitudes are growing more desperate for comfort and solace, it is at times such as these that Apostle Matthew’s words “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” ring most true. Suddenly an offer for salvation and answers to life’s difficult questions would be met by droves of willing patrons. Suddenly evangelist outreaches do not require us reaching out too far.
DESPERATE TIMES, AVAILABLE MEASURES Recent months have reignited the truth of the old chestnut that the church is not made up of brick and mortar, but rather by its congregation. This truth is made more poignant with the emergence, popularity and availability of virtual meetings. Terms like “Zoom”, “Teams”, “Meet” and “live stream” which were unheard of a year ago are today discussed in just about every engagement. Live streaming and virtual meetings are here to stay for the conceivable future whether we like it or not, and whilst these alternatives can never take the place of a physical church’s corporate worship, it can nonetheless go to places we never imagined. Today, our worship sessions, sermons, prayer altars, ministries and cell group meetings are reaching further than Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Ipoh, they are also reaching Australia, Cape Town and the Scandinavian regions.
...the church is not made up of brick and mortar, but rather by its congregation.
That said, this “online stuff” (as my mom calls it) is understandably not the most easily accessible – this is especially so for those more senior in years such as our Golden Club members. Frustrated as we may be in not being able to attend church or meet friends and family in person, it would be even more frustrating for those who want to meet virtually, but do not know how. Beyond family members, perhaps this is a ministry prospect in itself. Perhaps we should mobilise our youth, a generation of naturally tech-savvy brothers and sisters within our congregation? Would not such a ministry be a godsend to those who are struggling with staying connected virtually? Whilst the church doors remain closed to physical meetings, would it not be a delight to find our Golden Club ministry continuing to meet online and perhaps even attending celebrations together virtually on a watch party? For many of us, attending watch parties with our cell group members and having virtual cell meeting are a given. But for those who find 9
