May 02-03, 2020
Rev. Simon Lee, Senior Pastor RCAC
From social distancing to spiritual closeness
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, shalom!
From social distancing to physical distancing
“Distancing” has emerged as a key term in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic so as to “flatten the curve”. When the term first came out more than a month ago, it was called “social distancing” for a short while and then it was quickly changed to the more accurate term of “physical distancing.” Indeed, we have to practise “physical distancing” but definitely not result in “social distancing.” We as a Church have been practising physical distancing by suspending all services, fellowships and all gatherings. Before that we have already avoided common greetings, such as handshakes. In everyday life we have kept the 2 metres distance from each other, and have followed the order to stay at home as much as possible.
From physical distancing to social closeness
But these measures mean that this is also a time when feelings of loneliness and a lack of closeness and community have gone up – especially among the elderly, it is therefore important to keep physical distancing but maintain social closeness. Psychological research tells us that isolation and protracted separation from other humans can cause depression, severe cases can lead to suicide. To curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus infection, physical distancing is absolutely necessary, but on a psychological level we must do the opposite which is to encourage social closeness, and more importantly for us on a spiritual level, spiritual closeness.
Social closeness in our Church community
It is encouraging to see that many of our members are helping each other to use the internet, some for the first time, to connect socially, visiting the Church’s websites frequently. Teleconferencing is no longer just something people use to conduct business, but has become a vital tool for all to connect and communicate in our daily lives. Right now meetings using YouTube and different internet tools are applied to our worship services, Sunday school, fellowships, committee meetings, small group discussion and Bible Studies, and chats between friends and brothers and sisters, and so on. If you look at the number of devises that are tuned in on all our services, the attendance has in fact gone up and not down. We have been able to connect with some new friends also. People are calling each other more and exchanging greetings, and even share things like special recipes for cooking and baking. In a way, those who can connect this way have more social closeness than ever before. But we must not forget those who are not connected that way and therefore feel isolated, and must find special ways to connect with them, even in simple things like helping them with grocery shopping.
Being a good steward of our time in the pandemic
I am personally overwhelmed by the flood of “free” (some pretty good) entertainment videos and educational programs on our social media. We therefore need to be wise in selecting from among the plentiful offerings to find and consume appropriate amount of meaningful contents, and not just get sucked in, spending and wasting enormous amount of time before the screen. I am also finding it quite a discipline to be a good steward of my time when I now have to work from home 24/7, both in being faithful in my ministries as well as observing my Sabbath. One of my joys during this pandemic is to be able to use more time to do more writing, like in the past during my days as a professor. I am thankful that I can use this as a major medium of pastoral care in this difficult time.
From social closeness to spiritual closeness
At such a time as this, we need to move even from social closeness to spiritual closeness, with one another, and especially to God. We need to check out on each other on how we are coping in this period of lockdown but also go beyond that (as we all know we are in similar difficulties), drawing closer to God together. We can share with each other how we have experience the faithfulness of God during this time of isolation. We can also share how the Word of God is a source of strength. Above all, we can pray together. John says the word of life have been proclaimed to us, “so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (I Jn. 1:3, 4) So this is the very reason why this word is coming to you from me, that all our joy in Christ may be complete.
For me, I have found the pandemic to be a big test of my personal as well as my pastoral spirituality. In term of pastoral spirituality, in the past, I have become so familiar with “doing” ministry, trying to be as effective as I could, in a relatively comfortable pastoral setting within a well-established Church. I have become used to a regular daily and weekly routine that repeats itself efficiently. I have also become reliant on a very supportive team of elders and deacons/deaconesses, pastoral and administrative staff and many helpers. In short, I was, before the pandemic, well settled in my comfort zone at the Church. But I have discovered afresh and in a deeper way that to be a pastor is more than “doing” the busy (good) work of ministries. It is something I knew but now want so much to refresh, to be truly “a shepherd” watching over the flocks. Now that there is no one in the pew, I am starting to understand Jesus’ parable of going out to look for that one “lost sheep.”
In term of my personal spirituality, it is inevitably and intimately interwoven to my pastoral spirituality because I am a full time pastor. But as mentioned above, with the blessed luxury of spending enormous time in the Word of God, meditating and contemplating, more fresh insights that speak to the current needs have begun to surface, and I find great delight in sharing the Word with others. I am starting to understand what the psalmist means by “Blessed is the man… (whose) delights is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.”(Ps. 1:1, 2) Apart from carrying on the regular pastoral work online, I have rediscovered the importance of teaching and writing as a vital tool for pastoral ministry and I am surprised by the new joy of this rediscovery. Also I find that even over the phone, we can pray for brothers and sisters, and my prayers have extended more substantially beyond my immediate context to include our brothers and sisters in different spheres, nationally and beyond, especially to the many friends including students I have in my network, many experiencing hardship and sickness.
Don’t waste the lessons you can learn in this pandemic
Could this COVID-19 pandemic be a blessing in disguise, notwithstanding the unfortunate death toll and devastation it has brought to the whole world? I am reminded of the words of Jeremiah: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:11-13) Let us all move from social distancing to spiritual closeness. Amen.
Your Servant in Christ
Rev. Simon Lee