Your church has experienced significant disruption due to COVID 19. And even though you likely have resumed a degree of public ministry or will do so soon, much uncertainty remains about how congregational ministry will occur through the remainder of the year.
Despite the uncertainty, there are a few things we know.
We know that God is at work.
I understand the frustration. Offerings are down, and ministry is not the same when preaching to a camera. Even as many churches resume public gatherings, people are hesitant to attend.
But most congregations have adjusted, continuing to connect with God’s people, disciple them, and even engage them in ministry. If you have watched our churches online, you’ve seen several baptisms, community food distributions, and even a disaster relief deployment. A few congregations, as they provided guidance for family worship and small groups on Zoom, actually have a more effective disciple making process than before COVID 19. Praise the Lord, He continues working through His church.
We also know that many challenges remain before us.
COVID 19 has certainly shoved many churches out of well-developed routines, creating more discomfort than the virus itself. But if it wasn’t COVID 19, it would be something else, right?
When James wrote “Count it all joy when you face trials of various kinds…”, he assumed that hardship would come. Serving the Lord in a fallen world was never painless.
I find that often our routines and habits create a false sense of security, convincing us that everything is as it should be. But they may do even more.
When Karen and I served in Nebraska, we lived near the Oregon Trail, along which remain deep ruts formed by the hundreds of covered wagons that carried settlers westward. Many of these ruts run several feet into the ground. While this provided a degree of comfort, simplifying navigation, it made redirection due to storm or attack almost impossible.
I wonder if many of our ministry routines and programs have the same effect. They lock us into ruts that limit our ability to respond when challenged.
If this is true, maybe this season is God’s gift, an opportunity for you to assess between healthy ministry processes and ruts. But again, if it’s not COVID 19, it will be something else.
Finally we know that God has a way for your church to glorify Him and fulfill His mission.
Someone asked, “What can we do if we can’t have Vacation Bible School? We’ve always had VBS.” My answer, “Something else.”
The New Testament church faced ethnic conflict, persecution from Jews and pagans alike, famine, and a range of internal problems due to sin and immaturity. Still, as they obediently focused on God’s purposes, their core mission, God through them built a movement spanning the ages. Despite hardship, or - more accurately - through the hardship, God has a plan for His church.
I am grateful we can gather again, as I believe physically gathering for corporate worship is a defining component for the New Testament church. But many of the programs we’ve been asked to delay have alternatives. To find them, return to two basic questions, “What is God’s mission for His church?” and “What is His mission for your local church, here, now?” Someone has asked these questions before, which led to your ministry before COVID 19. But as the situation has changed, even if temporary, returning to them is helpful.
Next ask, “Since we can’t do X for a season, is X essential to our mission?” If no, give is a rest. If yes, ask, “How can we accomplish X given our current limitations?” Consider the options and go from there. You get the idea.
My point is that, if you seek it, God has a plan by which your church can faithfully serve Him, reaching unbelievers and growing disciples, no matter what adjustments COVID 19 or any other disaster might bring.
A GTBN pastor once told me that within the network we have what we need to resource any congregation in any situation. I believe that. Which is why our fellowship together is so important. I’ll say it again, we are better together.
So, while we don’t yet have all the answers, we know God is at work, that challenges remain, but God has a plan. Let us continue supporting one another and we will complete this journey together.
Bro. Jim