Lockdown Worship
IFGF Yogyakarta, Indonesia held nightly live worship sessions via Instagram aptly named Lockdown Worship. This daily worship session is IFGF Yogyakarta’s solution to the Covid-19 pandemic which has constrained our ability to gather in the church building.
As humans, some of us are worried or even depressed with the situation. Some are worried about their financials, others are scared for the safety of their family, some even lost a friend or family member. Ps. Dave as the senior pastor of IFGF Yogyakarta prayed for wisdom on what can be done to encourage the church. Later on, during a meeting Ps. Jimmy Oentoro and Ps. Erna Iskandar encouraged churches to focus on the opportunities rather than the problematic situation, especially to use digital platforms to reach out. Coming out from the meeting, Ps. Dave was more encouraged and God reminded him about his talent in worship leading. He knew that God reigns over the worship of His people so he invited his congregation to pray, worship, study the words, intercede and conduct Holy Communion together. However, considering the health and safety of his team, Ps. Dave decided that the worship sessions will be done online.
Ps. Dave committed to hold Lockdown Worship every night to encourage his congregation. The name Lockdown Worship was chosen to overturn the negative connotation of lockdown to be a positive one. Instead of the lockdown where churches are restricted, Christians should see a lockdown as in Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” There is also a quote on which Lockdown Worship is based upon LOCK the door, DOWN on your knees and WORSHIP Him (Lock Down Worship / LDW).
In doing Lockdown Worship, Ps. Dave collaborates with other ministers and worship leaders every Friday. From Christian musicians such as Franky Kuncoro, Edward Chen, Jeffrey Chandra, Lea Simanjuntak, Echa Soemantri, Wawan Yap, Jacqlien Celosse, Michael Panjaitan, to fellow IFGF pastors like Ps. Joshua Artono, Ps. Maria Tamba, Ps. Sam Hartanto, Ps. Tommy Simamora and Ps. Herman Soegong. Lockdown Worship has also invited guests from other denominations such as Ps. Christopher Tapiheru and Ps. Victor Waang among others.
Viewers for Lockdown Worship come from various age groups, under 5 years old as well as grandparents in their late 80s. As an online event that is available on a public platform, IFGF Yogyakarta has impacted people outside of its church. They received a lot of testimonies through Instagram’s direct message from people who testified about their vision, repentance, healing and change of heart.
As for Sunday service, IFGF Yogyakarta is still following IFGF Jakarta’s online service through Youtube. Meanwhile, iCare is done weekly through Zoom and occasionally iCare is done on site following the health protocol. iGrow group study is done online every Saturday with IFGF Jakarta’s iGrow department.
IFGF Yogyakarta has shown us a good example of being resilient in every session. They have learned to look at the situation from God’s perspective and to act on the opportunities in the midst of hardship.
Next: PRAY CONTINUALLY
