Blog
Developing a Theology of Virtual Meetings
All my work meetings are virtual. This term I’ve taught my graduate course on Zoom, I’ve had my board meetings on Zoom, and I’ve met with my IMT team members on Zoom. The pandemic has shifted the majority of our work interactions from face-to-face to screen-to-screen, I wanted to share some of my reflections on this shift in relating to each other. Perhaps this is the beginnings of forming a theology of virtual meetings.
A Post-Corona Virus “World” and the Desert Fathers and Mothers
Even though the coronavirus is still spreading in many countries, in other countries there is speculation about what a post-COVID-19 “world” might look like. The main discussions are around economic, education, health and technology issues. And clearly, while there is always the possibility that valiant attempts will be made to recapture “business as usual,” it is highly likely that changes will occur in each of these areas. What is an open question is whether the changes will be first order (fine-tuning within an accepted paradigm) or second order (change in terms of a significant paradigm-shift). My focus here is whether there will be significant changes in the churches.
Labour Day Prayers
We call it "The Angelus," the beautiful, if simple window into the integral relationship of worship to work by Jean-Francois Millet, who first titled it "Prayer for the Potato Crop," artfully remembering the inarticulate longing in every heart, sons of Adam and daughters of Eve we are, that at the end-of-the-day our labor is not in vain.
Called to Zoom: Encountering Christ in a Remote Place
In March, days after Malaysia declared a national lockdown, I kicked off my first small group meeting in Zoom. There were nine of us but our group had never gathered in person before; most of us were acquaintances or strangers. We met for two hours to discuss the life and person of Jesus Christ. Everyone participated, but as time passed, I felt increasingly distanced from Christ and one another. By the time I clicked “Leave Meeting,” I was pooped. How come?
A Reflection on Quarantine and Lent
Quarantine is a Latin word (quarantina) that means 40 days. It is a reference to Jesus’ solitary time in the wilderness. The church historically has viewed Lent (quadragesima) as the Christian’s way of entering into Christ’s journey in the desert and was viewed by ancient Christians as one of the most important events of the year. But in modern times, Lent has almost been forgotten and the focus has been primarily on Christmas and Easter. Perhaps during this time of quarantine, it might be beneficial to revisit why Lent was so important to early Christians.
Don’t Retire From Your Calling
The other day an old friend, and a former member of my home church, phoned me up. He said, “Paul, will you do my funeral?” I responded, “Barnie, are you thinking of dying?” He said, “I’m going to Israel on a tour and it is very dangerous.” I told him that I have been several times and it was not as dangerous as it seems. There are guns and soldiers everywhere. Nevertheless he insisted that he might not come back. I agreed. But he ended with an interesting thought. “It will have to be held in a large church.” I asked why? He said, “Most of the bicycle couriers in the city will be there.” Barnie has in his retirement from business become the unofficial pastor to the downtown bicycle couriers.
The Way the World’s Supposed to Be
The way the world’s supposed to be.
Is there a world like that? Do we know? How would we? What does it mean? These are the greatest questions of life, and ones that we answer very differently, given our deepest commitments about the meaning of life, our beliefs about God, the human condition, and history.