The Virtual Body of Christ Post-Pandemic

Called to continue Offering the Sacrament of Holy Communion in Online Worship

Abstract

The global pandemic forced congregations to shift to online worship and explore what it means to be the virtual body of Christ. As we move into a new normal post-pandemic, ongoing reflection is needed about what aspects of ministry should continue to remain online and what should be limited to in-person gatherings. This essay argues that continuing online worship and within it, the sacrament of Holy Communion, embodies the church’s calling to attend to the weakest members of the body of Christ and extend grace to those who have not yet returned to in-person worship.