It was a pastoral visit during which actions spoke volumes. And it was a good thing that actions spoke, because the pastor did not utter a word.

A pastor visited a man from his congregation who had been absent from worship services for some time. The man was in his backyard, tending to a small fire in his firepit. The pastor approached the man, picked up a fire poker from the ground, and pushed aside one of the logs in the firepit. Both men watched silently as the flames on the log danced erratically, slowly diminished, and eventually disappeared.

Now, all that remained were coals that pulsed with intermittent hues of red, yellow, and orange. And in time, the coals became entirely black.

“I get the idea,” the man said. “I’ll be back in church this Sunday.”

What idea did he get from that quiet, mesmerizing look into a firepit? The idea that separating himself from the family of believers could negatively impact his faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25 highlights that truth by means of an encouragement: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

There is no question that the most important dimension of a worship service is vertical—God coming to worshipers in Word and sacraments. Worshipers also take part by responding with prayer and praise.

However, the horizontal dimension of worship is also important. That is the relationship between worshipers. That is what the verses from Hebrews address. Attendance at worship services is mutually encouraging: I am encouraged by the presence of other worshipers, and my presence encourages them.

Sadly, something happened to that mutual encouragement a few years ago. At the onset of the pandemic, many congregations canceled worship services and replaced them with online services. Worshipers positioned themselves on couches in their homes to watch worship services from a distance. Technology provided everyone with a worship experience, but it was intended to be a temporary one.

Fast-forward to 2026. In-person worship services have resumed for a few years already, and many congregations continue to offer live streaming or archived worship services.

The ongoing offering of virtual worship services is a wonderful blessing for those who cannot worship in person due to health, travel, or work schedule conflicts, but it provides an all-too-convenient option for people who could worship in person but choose not to. When individuals choose to bypass in-person worship, they miss out on the mutual encouragement that takes place when Christians interact in church. More important, they deny themselves opportunities to receive the Lord’s Supper with their church family.

If you worship online when you could be worshiping in person, resolve to return and enjoy the fellowship of believers who are gathered around Word and sacrament. Your presence will be encouraging to others. Or, if you know someone who needs encouragement to return to in-person worship, offer that encouragement.

It was King David who wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD’ ” (Psalm 122:1). Let his words be the attitude of Christians everywhere.

James Pope | FIC Editor

Author: James Pope
Volume 113, Number 02
Issue: February 2026