The cross is empty, the tomb is empty and – on Easter – churches are full. Alleluia!

Over the past few weeks I've been reflecting on the Easter Sunday experience, both from an in-person and an online perspective. For most of us, there were a lot more people in attendance than usual and many of them may have been people you haven’t seen in a while – or ever. There was special music and more musicians, and more flowers and other décor. The staff was busy and you recruited more volunteers. Everyone was probably a little dressier than usual – ladies and girls in Easter dresses; men and boys in Easter suits. You may even have had a special meal or brunch for everyone.

Now – what about the weeks after Easter? Easter Sunday is definitely an important Sunday in the year of the Church, but it’s not the only Sunday. Every Sunday is a celebration of Christ’s resurrection, even the Sundays during Lent. What if every Sunday at your church had the same attendance and engagement as Easter Sunday? (If they do, I’d sure like to hear about it!) What if Easter led to a higher average weekly attendance or higher engagement on your website and social platforms for the rest of the year? Let’s see how that might play out.

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As we emerge from winter and move towards spring, we also move through the season of Lent - a time of reflection, prayer, and contemplation. In the time of the church, Lent is a time of preparation, of looking forward. We also look back on the sacrifice made for us. We bring this into the present - the here and now.

In the life of a Christian webmaster and our churches and ministries, Easter plans are being laid out. During this time, our intention is to strip away the things of this world and simplify. For some, it is a time of fasting - giving something up, maybe even some of your digital connections - a digital fast.

Let us not just put our technology aside for a while, let us think deeply about how these avenues and channels can have a positive impact on our lives and the lives of others. I suggest adding something more (giving something extra) to your practice during these 40 days - reflecting on your church website and social media accounts and their content.

Lord, give us knowledge, wisdom, insight, and discernment as we contemplate your Word and your work in this generation.

Lord, give us the gift to see ourselves as you see us, and others as you see them.

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"On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - 12 drummers drumming ... "

12 days of Christmas gifts, each day growing in the size and number of gifts. It has become our nature to focus on the gifts in each of these verses, or to think we could never be as generous as this giver, rationalizing that all these gifts are excessive. Perhaps we need to open ourselves more to accepting our worthiness as a recipient. continue reading ...

"On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - 11 pipers piping ... "

Not only is today the 11th day of Christmas, it is also our granddaughter's birthday - double cause for celebration! As we drove to have dinner tonight, we passed by a home that has an awesome tree they light every year as Christmas approaches. It is one of the highlights of my daily commute during December. Tonight, I noticed the tree was no longer lit. A sign that Christmas is coming to a close. continue reading ...

"On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me - 10 lords a-leaping ... "

10 days - when they lie ahead of you, they seem to stretch on forever, especially when spent in anticipation. But, when they lie behind you, they passed too quickly. Observing Christmas every day for 12 days has served to both expand and compress time around me. Don't you wish you could have just pressed "Pause" on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? continue reading ...