Asenla Walling
New Life Bible College
The world has not experienced a pandemic in this century (last pandemic -1920),and none of the world leaders have the experience of handling such crisis, including religious leaders. At such a difficult time like this, all the leaders are doing what they think best for the citizens, including the church leaders. It is more so difficult for the church leaders because the church has to be there at the time when her people need her, and her people need her the most at such times, to pray for, counsel and comfort them. The church must prayerfully navigate her ways to keep her flock spiritually assured. But the only way to keep one safe is social distancing, to be at home, how she can administer to her people without cancelling worship and devotion?. At time like this, we can embrace or look at the Cyberchurch/ Cyberspace/Cyberworship/cyberprayer. I have seen somes churches in Nagaland successfully conducting Sunday devotion(during Janata curfew)using YouTube, Facebook, twitter, to name a few-Faith Harvest Church, DABA, MTBA, Chakhesang Baptist Church, etc.
Many Christian felt that as believers/ good Christians Sunday worship should be held as usual, making other feeling spiritually inferior who are apprehensive to attend the church. There are old aged people who are dismayed and discouraged when dissuaded not to go to church. This COVID 19 is not like any other virus, as a Christian community we have never faced this kind of situation so many of us don’t how to respond. As responsible Christian citizen we must act responsibly, Christian must be models to others around us. In Matthew 2: 13-23, we see Mary and Joseph as responsible citizens went to Bethlehem,despite Mary being pregnant, they obeyed the law of their time. At such times we have to prove how a good Christian follows the directives of the government, and not risk the health of the believers. On the other hand Church must use all your effort so that your congregation are not left without spiritual nurture and care .Church can continue pastoral ministry through the digital platform, as most Pastors, Youth Pastor, Women Pastor, etc., are all digital media savvy. In the West and in the Metro cities, Cyberchurch are very popular with the youth( physical distance, some are not sociable and want to worship in their own comfort). Many Pastors (Nagaland) cater to Cyberchurch (though the term as Cyberchurch is not used but you are already part of that). To quote Peter Singh “Cyberchurch is commonly used to refer worship services conducted over the Internet (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter) through video-streaming, podcasts, or blogs”.( Peter Singh , Cybertheology in the Cyber Age, 29)
In a time like this we can hold Sunday service, morning and evening services at usual worship hours, your congregation members would not feel deprived of fellowship with God and not denying the opportunity to worship the Lord ( for old aged who are not adept to such platform , you can engage some youth to take it to them). So here, we respect the laws and orders of the Land, perfectly maintain social-distancing, keeping ourselves safe (encourage them to stay at home) at the same time worship together. During this lockdown. My pastor sends Bible passage, every now and then to his members through mobile. Pastors (Youth/ Women) can send voice messages, video call members who are psychically sick, emotionally weak, pray for them, encourage and counsel them, even though you cannot visit them. Through cybermission and cyber evangelism you are fulfilling church mission and pastoral duties, provide e-counselling (there would be people who would open up their problems, anxiety through e-mail, which may not be possible person to person). Isaiah (54.2) says “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”( NRSV). Cyberspace digital technology is giving Christian ample opportunities to fulfill church mission, at time like this and beyond. But it should be used for God’s glory not for personal glory and gains. Some will ask “how could we find God inCyberchurch?” the bible says “where two or three are gathered in my name there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20. NRSV). Now it is time for the churches in Nagaland to migrate to Cyberchurch, tomake use of thedigital platform to our advantage to guide your church members to worship the Lord and also lead to seek His presence and protection in their lives.
