Help - I Have ZOOM™ Fatigue! — Awaken Generation

Now that all interactions have gone online during this Circuit Breaker*, work should be child’s play for the tech-savvy generation. This could not be further from the truth. Find out how Caleb Kay (Drum Mentor), Stacy Tan (Songwriting Mentor), and Sandra Yu (Marketing Intern) - all involved in marketing and media work at Awaken Generation - are surviving this Zoombie apocalypse.

*Circuit Breaker is a two-month-period (from 7 April to 1 June) where a series of COVID-19 related measures were implemented by the Singapore Government. The measures placed restrictions on general movement, gatherings, workplaces, as well as the reduction of all but essential activities.

How has ministry life been since the "Circuit Breaker” started?

Stacy Tan: Can you believe that it's been even busier than pre-Circuit Breaker times?! Haha.

Caleb Kay: It’s definitely been a lot of nights. We are still actively streaming Public Electives and Worship Rooms weekly.

ST: Yeah, and while I'm so grateful that we can continue our work and live out our calling as a worship ministry, can you imagine the amount of Zoom calls that amounts to in a week?

CK: A lot! And there’s a lot of prep work that goes into each stream. This happens during the day - countless technical setups and tests, rehearsals, and getting our volunteer pool up to speed too. Needless to say, most or all of this happens on Zoom.

Sandra Yu: I agree - It’s been busy! During this Circuit Breaker, there’s still so much going on behind the scenes - producing content, engaging with people through our social media platforms, and online events. It definitely looks a bit different from what we’re used to. I can’t walk over to Stace and ask a question anymore, I would have to text or even call or Zoom her to clarify. Things are just not as convenient anymore!

What are some of the biggest struggles?

SY: Being emotionally present for my friends and loved ones. There have been so many zoom calls and one call can be as long as three hours. Sometimes, the calls can take place one after the other and I’ll be left with very little capacity to catch up with my friends on Zoom or even reply to their messages. Sadly, the more I connect on Zoom, the more disconnected I’ve become.

ST: Drawing boundaries. It doesn't help that I'm a perfectionist and a bit of a workaholic, and I sometimes find myself working 12 or 14 hours a day. It’s just hard not to immediately respond to an email that comes in at 10pm - I mean, it's just sitting there, you know?!

CK: It’s also drawing boundaries for me, but maybe in a slightly different way. When someone asks if you’re free to Zoom for a short while, I find it quite hard to turn them down. Because I mean… what else would I be doing, heading out to get groceries?

ST: Yeah, we talk about Zoom fatigue all the time, where we are plugged in not only for work meetings but for corporate worship and social gatherings. I think that even as millennials, we have developed a sort of aversion to technology - it's all a bit of an overkill.

CK: Over time, the build up of online, on-screen activity did get to me. So when that happened, I turned off all my devices, locked myself in a room and worshipped. It was deeply refreshing, and aligned myself back to God’s heart. It also reminded me of why we do what we do at Awaken Generation – because He’s worthy.

Despite the struggles faced, what are some things to be grateful for?

ST: As mentioned before, I think that I’m just grateful that we still get to live out our callings as worship revivalists and ministers. Besides that, I am grateful for whatever human connection I get even if it’s online. Funnily enough, I see that young people are now purposefully seeking connection with their brothers and sisters in Christ instead of taking it all for granted. My youth group has never had higher attendance - what a shocker!

CK: Yeah, cell attendance is the highest it’s ever been?! I’m thankful that community and church can continue to happen online. Also, really grateful for our team at AG, including our volunteer worship leaders, that have sacrificed nights to faithfully put fire on the altar at our Worship Rooms and Revival Nights.

SY: Similarly, I’m really thankful that I still get to connect with my church through weekly service devotionals on Zoom. We have more than 50% of the congregation joining the chat! Really thankful for the church leadership for looking after the people during this time.

What’s one thing we can zoom (ha ha) in on or refocus on, in this time?

CK: Not underestimate the power of seeking God wherever we’re at. Even though everything is online, we’re not dependent on whoever is hosting church online or a prayer meeting online to get our encounter. It’s really about engaging with the Lord from my own room.

SY: For me, it’s to grow in intimacy with God. Just hearing what the Lord has been speaking to the AG team has included me in what He is doing now and I don’t want to miss that out.

ST: Yes, the obvious one would be to connect with God through worship and the Word in our physical "hiding places". It is time for us to come face-to-face with our Maker, to let Him unearth new giftings and old scars for healing, and to breathe life into stagnant areas of our spiritual walk.

SY: Exactly. One thing that really struck me was when both Calvin and Alarice shared about this season of consecration. Questions like “What are you building for the Lord?” and “Are you going to leave this season the same way you entered?” have really stirred in my heart and make me want to sit down with Him and give Him permission to work in me.

As young people, what do you think God is calling us to do in this season?

ST: To reconnect with my family members again. Things like eating together and watching a movie, even though we certainly get on each other's nerves! I feel like God is reminding the younger generation - who often get so easily swept away by social media or games - about the importance of honouring their parents, and how family should always be our first ministry.

SY: Tend your garden. Slow down, pray, read the Word and connect. I’m very sure that God has great plans for this generation too, but we have to first use this time to grow in the cave like David. The season of waiting is the season that prepares us for greater things to come. Let’s not waste it!

ST: Yes, I would like to beseech all young people to purposefully disconnect and listen keenly; ask the Father - how would you like to move in my life in the next few weeks?

CK: First thing: Connect for good. Young people - use your online presence for good. Point people to the less privileged that need help and use your online presence to propagate hope instead of just forwarding bad news! Secondly: Disconnect to connect. Find intentional time each day to get away from your devices and really spend unhurried time with the Lord.

In this season, the AG team is organising a series of online Worship Rooms and Revival Nights to encourage the Body of Christ. Subscribe to our Youtube page for notifications, and follow us on Instagram for latest event updates.

Additionally, the AG Team has put together a very straightforward guide to live streaming worship from home, using ZOOM as the primary platform: download it here. We pray that this would help your churches and communities gather together and lift up the Name above all names.

PARTNER WITH US NOW

Awaken Generation is a not-for-profit organisation registered in Singapore and we believe every year for the full funding needed to support the operational costs of running the ministry. In this season, we are organising a series of online worship rooms, revival nights, and public electives to encourage and equip the Body of Christ. Partner with us financially via the following channels:

Paynow/Paylah

UEN No. 201927870M

Please indicate “Offering” under the comments.

DonorBox

Local/International donations via credit card.

Regular-Giving option also available.

Help - I Have ZOOM™ Fatigue!

PARTNER WITH US NOW

— Awaken Generation —