Teaching my class online this semester has been—thus far—quite an experience. Much is unfolding. But if you told me a few weeks ago that there was such-a-thing as “CyberSpace Worship,” I would have told you to “get out of here!” How could this be or even yet happen? Well, it happened to me this morning! —Friday, 24 January 2003. Believe me! Integrating faith and worship into the online experience is something that I learnt from taking the Active Online Teaching class from AVLN—although, not in the way you will experience in this essay. Integrating faith in the online classroom was a strange concept to me at first, but slowly Melvin, and his online instructors—prayer warriors, who took the idea seriously—began to let me realize that it was possible to integrate this concept into the online arena.
This morning my lecture focused on the Opera “Dido and Aeneas,” written by the distinguished British composer Henry Purcell. But my assignment this morning was to extrapolate the historical and musical significance of this work, more specially the function of the ground bass in “Dido’s Lament.” For those of you who are not familiar with this work, the Lament is built on a ground bass—an ostinato passage about 5 measure in length—that repeats eleven times throughout the work. It really anchors the work beautifully—giving unity as well as holding the work together— in such a way, that its simplicity by some defies explanation.
As a lead-in into the online discussion of the “Lament,” I placed on my online white-board for all the students to see my “Thought for the Day.” I do this to begin all my online classes. What I had on the white-board was this:
THE FOUNDATION
“Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone.” (Isaiah 28:16)
Of all the gracious promises concerning the children of God none is more wonderful than that which describes the saints as polished stones in the temple where He dwells. With Divine grace our Lord calls Himself “THE FOUNDATION,” an ‘Everlasting Rock,” “The rock of Ages.” Where stands our faith today? Are we building upon the sands of human philosophies, or upon Him? “On the Rock of Ages founded, Naught can shake our sure repose.” (Taken from “The Wonderful Names of our Wonderful Lord,” by Charles E. Hurlburt)
By the time I had written out the “thought” on the online white-board and then entered the discussion room with my usual expression “please read the ‘thought for the day,’ and ponder it for a moment,” the students were already sending their comments to each other. Their comments ranged from “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” “Jehovah hide me, I am under the rock,” “I am under the rock that is higher than high,”—you probable recognize these as being titles of historic Adventist hymns, of which we don’t hear too much these days. Although these were some of the comments being touted by students to each other prior to my advertising the thought for reflection, upon my advertising to the students to ponder and reflect on the “thought,” the online conversation then took another direction.
One student expressed his thoughts by saying that “it is truly wonderful that the Master of the universe and beyond esteems us so. That we should be called the sons of God. His promises are precious and new every morning.” Another student, whose first language is not English, piped in and stated “…for in human nature, there is nothing that can bring us closer to Him. Therefore, why not look up to the Rock of ages, from which all blessing flow. This same student went on to say that “I would even say He is my Roll!” I asked, “What do you mean, Rock and Roll?” She continued to say “Roll as in bread,” while another student quickly piped in “Living bread.” After further comments by various students, we all came away knowing full well that she meant the Lord is my Rock and also my Roll (the living bread). He is solid but also soft. He is full of discipline but yet full of compassion. “What a beautiful metaphor” stated another student, which was punctuated with “amen,” “my Lawd,” “help us Lawd!” and plenty of “have mercy!”
After prayer by one of the students, I could not help from being marveled by what I was seeing scrolling across my computer screen, but also I was not sure of what to do next. If you don’t mind, this student’s prayer was thus:
“We appreciate the opportunity that is ours to know you better here at Oakwood College. We welcome your presence into this class today. We appreciate your sacrifices for us way back on Calvary. We would ask now that you would redeem the next few moments that we spend in this virtual classroom, but in your very real presence. And somehow interpose Your divine ability to make clear every word. Now we pray to you because we know you can bless us in our individual need. You know all about my classmates who are concerned, or perplexed or weighed down. Set free. At this point a student interjected into the prayer ‘we welcome you holy sprit.’ The prayer continued. We ask all these blessing in the matchless name of Jesus…and count them done. Amen (unedited).”
I usually follow the prayer by moving ahead with my lecture, but, what followed next was what I have seen on many occasion in many-a-live worship service across the United States—but not in an online classroom: “You’re worthy” stated one student which was then followed by various online outburst of expression ranging from “Alleluia,” “We adore you Father God,” “We bless your name,” “somebody better praise Him now,“ “thank you Jesus.” Much giving of thanks and praise then followed all of this. One student even stated, “Yes Lord, for giving me confidence that what you promised will come to pass even though it’s been four years.” While another students’ comment, which was directed to me stated, “Holy Ghost Online…[Chambers] don’t start!”
I looked at my computer screen, but was not sure what to do next. A worship experience of some sought was unfolding right before my eyes and I knew I had to get my class through my discussion assignment. But somehow I felt I needed to allow what was happening to just dissipate. After what seemed like a very long pause, it took a moment before I could get the class back on track, but not without various ejaculations of the goodness of the Lord. Wow! No organ or piano playing. Not even a choir, or soloist. Just in the purest sense the written Word, prayer, testimony and the role of the Holy Spirit.
The discussion that ensued—which also dealt with musical foundations such as the ground bass used in Dido’s Lament—by all standards went exceptionally well if I should accept the words stated the students “true learning actually took place today!”
This was an experience! One I will not forget in a hurry. And I hope that my meager words have conveyed to you what had taken place in my cyberspace classroom.
Audley
C. Chambers (AOT Alumni)
Associate Professor of Music History and Literature
Oakwood
College
7000 Adventist Blvd.
Huntsville, AL. 35896
256.726.7282
©2003 Audley C. Chambers. Used with permission.