Using online church, we have managed to “see” some of the people we usually meet as church family, showing concern and care, sharing in sorrow and joy. It’s beginning to feel like it is easier to talk to each other online. We have done that a few times. We know a bit how to get started.
Using online ways of communication just does not work in the way normal conversation and mixing with people work. It’s impossible to talk to somebody just between two of you without having everyone “listening in” or even “looking in”. Well, there’s the breakout room or some other means. But first it needs advance set up prior to the event, or well, it’s just difficult. Plus, there is no one there to help you get it done.
When the more formal things take place, such as a worship service, or a meeting, again, it’s near impossible to have other conversations going on apart from the main proceedings.
For a church service, this is a major impact. You can't dash up to the minister and have a quiet word while the church is singing the opening hymn, for example, to say did you want the picture shown first before the video, or the other way around, for the next bit which is the activity for junior members of the church.
If those leading or taking part in the service are not familiar with those managing the online session, often you need to ‘over manage’ the programme to know how to keep the flow.
- By over managing, you know when you show which slide, how to transition from one item to the next, who is reading this bit, which order the verses of a hymn are sung and so on.
It gets a little awkward when the one managing which webcam to highlight had set up the correct webcam when it turns out the plan had changed, it was another person doing the reading or singing!
- The important instruction that would have been easily done in person in normal worship service could easily have been missed in an online format.
It is very annoying we could not meet in person. Meeting up online this way, having a kind of worship service where we can get admonished and encouraged in the word of God and the sharing of our faith experience, still has some good.
It is perhaps one good way for many to meet; it might be the only opportunity for some people to meet.
It goes a long way when in the same event we could read God’s word together, pray, sing, hear the word expounded to meet our needs. It is not an ideal way of doing things. And we need to pray and support those who could not join this way.
