Few people love the charismatic church like I do. It’s a joy to me to be with like-minded spiritual brothers and sisters praising God together. It’s comforting to me to see the gifts of the Spirit on full display.

But I ask, does anything ruin the intimacy with the Spirit like a camera recording worship? In the privacy of my own home, I can turn on some good worship music and be free from all inhibitions to wholeheartedly connect with God in praise. Of course there needs to be some constraint when I’m gathered with others in the Sanctuary so as not to interfere with their focus on God. But the constant nagging feeling that there is a distant voyeur able to replay over and over again my intimate worship with God at the push of a button is cringeworthy. Has the church destroyed one of its most important functions by bringing a camera (and many phone cameras) into the holy place?

I don’t think that I’m the only one who feels the insecurity caused by the viewing eyes of strangers at the other end of a tech screen. Judging from the majority of churchgoers choosing to sit in the far back of the church, leaving all the front rows empty, I could fairly assess that it’s a shared concern. Why have we done that? Why have we chosen to give up the sanctuary of the church so that a lazy wannabe can invade the mystery of the Spirit on a whim? If you can’t be bothered to invest a little energy to show up, then butt out.

Seriously, I don’t know how to connect with a faceless family that wants to avoid interaction except to poke fun at the unfamiliar move of God on video. So what is the answer? I enjoyed listening to the sermon by the pastor online so that I could gauge his walk with the Spirit before attending the church for the first time. However, I do not like watching praise and worship time because it’s something that should be less of a public spectacle and more of a private celebration, in my opinion. I would liken it to seeing a woman wearing a low-cut blouse. Everyone knows that we are seeing more than God intended. And, it doesn’t happen by accident. Offering time and Communion time should never be done on camera. Again, that’s my opinion but it comes from talking with God about it. Please don’t believe me, have your own conversation with God on the subject.

Another point of contention: You know that there is always that one shouting prayer warrior that hasn’t figured out that God can hear silent prayers. It is so distracting when trying to listen to the pastor’s corporate prayer as a nearby congregant thinks it is their business to compete for an audience. It was all I can do to not say “please, sit down and shut up”. I don’t know if I was holding God back or if He was poised to put my foot in my mouth. Having said too much here, can you understand why I usually spend Sunday mornings in quiet time alone with God … and why I’m lonely for companionship?

Yeah, I should be ashamed to say that I don’t really like many people. But I really want to. That has to count for something.