Pandemic Church

Do you remember going to church on March 15, 2020? There is a good chance you don’t remember that particular Sunday. If you attended, you probably woke up as normal, prodded your children a bit to get up, sat together in worship, and can’t recall the songs you sang or what the pastor preached about. What is true about that Sunday is that it was the last “normal” Sunday that we have had in almost six months due to the pandemic.

Since that Sunday, church has been anything but “normal.” Churches and church staff have worked extremely hard to allow us to worship and grow amid the physical separation we have been experiencing. Overnight, church pews and seats were empty as ministers led worship, preached, and taught children and teenagers online. Gradually some have started to gather back together, doing their best to follow health guidelines and practices while still trying to keep our focus on Jesus and the mission to make disciples.

When it comes to churches regathering, there is a wide range of church from online only to in person with no noticeable guidelines or restrictions, and everywhere in between. What is true about all of these churches is that none of their leadership ever went to seminary and took a course on how to pastor or lead during a pandemic! No one knows exactly what to do and everyone is trying their best to figure it out. Church leadership is weary as they try to juggle health guidelines, the opinion of church members, their calling to reach people, finances of the church, and so much more. They are working hard to put safe practices into place, preparing for ministry each week , and are still met with opposition and apathy from church members. It broke my heart to hear a family’s reason for not going back to church when they said, “we feel like we have an extra day on the weekend now!” Missionaries who have been called to serve overseas are feeling lost as they have been pulled off the field, some permanently. Pandemic church is different and it is hard.

This post is not an argument for going to church in person or not going in person. I have no credentials to make that decision for you and your family. My heart is to encourage you, if you are a Christ-follower, to support your church and keep your eyes on Christ. Ephesians tells us that we are in a spiritual battle, not a physical one. (Eph. 6:12) Every time I hear a story about a church that is hurting or at odds, I feel like the enemy is gaining ground. Satan will use whatever means necessary to break up the church and divide us. He will divide us physically, but also relationally as we find more and more things to disagree about. There are many passages of Scripture to warn us not to be divided as a church, universally or locally. (1 Corinthians 1:10, Luke 11:17, Ephesians 4:3-6, Colossians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 12:21-26) As members of the same body, let us choose unity and choose to stand together.

Whether you attend church right now in person or not, I want to encourage you in a few ways. There are four basic areas of a believer’s life. Let’s be sure we are staying healthy in all of these areas.

Worship

Worship is expressing reverence or devotion toward God. Worship should take place individually as you are daily reminded of who God is and what He has done. Worship can also be corporate where we gather to recognize who God is together. Worship may be singing, but it can also be speaking, writing, and a host of other things. What can you praise God for today? What about Him inspires you to worship? Do you think it is important to set time aside to worship God corporately? How can you and your family best turn your attention toward him at this time?

Worshiping Jesus together may be the single most important thing we do. It plays an indispensable role in rekindling our spiritual fire, and keeping it burning.

David Mathis, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-benefits-of-corporate-worship

Reach

The Bible is clear that believers are to reach others with the good news of Jesus. Matthew 28:19-20 News that Jesus forgives sin and gives us the gift of eternity. This is news we can’t keep to ourselves. The pandemic season has caused us to close ourselves off from people, stay hidden away, and focus more on ourselves and less on others. When we do communicate, it is often through posts or comments on others’ posts. If we choose to let it, this season can be used as a platform for hope. We have living hope in Jesus that can be offered to those around us. How can God use you to speak life and hope into those around you? Are you taking advantage of the opportunities to speak up about the good news of Jesus? Who are you praying for by name for their salvation? How can you be creative in reaching people around you?

Grow

As Christ followers we have the life long privilege of growing in faith and growing in love. Daily we can choose to learn, grow, and become more like Jesus. Growth reminds me of taking vitamins. I know they are good for me, but often when I don’t “feel” any different after a few days, I quit taking them regularly. It is only when I make the effort to be disciplined to take them that I experience results. Likewise, when we practice disciplines of the faith, we often don’t “feel” different. We pray and read our Bibles and don’t seem to notice any difference. I can guarantee that over time, little by little, you are becoming more like Christ. Gradually He is growing you from the inside out- changing your attitude, desires, words, actions, and thoughts. Digging deep and growing isn’t easy and can be hard to do alone. This is why the body of Christ is important. Whether in person or not, find believers you can connect with in small groups and in accountability. During the entirety of the pandemic, I have met with a group of ladies online for Bible study that has kept us growing spiritually and relationally as we have had that time together. It was in that Bible study that our teacher talked about how a little ember outside the fire burns out quickly, but if you kick it in with the other embers, it reignites and burns brightly. We are like that little ember. Alone, we struggle to stay bright, but joined with others, we reignite and burn brightly. Find your other embers and fan each others’ flames. Are you growing in your walk with Jesus? If not, what can you do today to grow? Who are you linked up with for encouragement and accountability?

Serve

As believers, we serve out of love for God and love for people. We don’t serve expecting anything in return, but serve because we are eternally thankful for what Jesus has done for us. We serve because that’s what Jesus did. Over and over, he served outcasts, unbelievers, sinners, his own disciples, and the sick. Pray that God will open your eyes to needs around you and how you can help meet those needs. Often meeting a physical need is a doorway to sharing the hope of Jesus with them. How can you serve people struggling during this pandemic- teachers, pastors, healthcare workers, and others? What gifts do you have that God can use to bless others? How are you willing to sacrifice to help meet the needs of others?

Pandemic church is not about a building. It is about the church, the body of Christ, staying focused and committed to what is close to the heart of God. Whether we are in person or not, let us do what God has called us to do, not allowing the enemy steal, kill, or destroy.