Thanks a lot to everyone who commented so kindly. Christiaan says he has never written a story like this before and it came as a shock even though it had been bubbling up for a few days before it happened. He had also never understood the "go up" taunt, but happened to run into a bible commentary when he was checking the exact wording of the quote. So writing the story felt like watching a house suddenly build itself in front of your eyes.

He thinks that the miracle of having his own YF these days contributed to how the tone of voice came out :)

About the online church and its current format: we'll elect a board of elders presently and then see where we/they go.