Post Virus Church
Tomorrow our family, like so many others worldwide, will gather for online church. This form of the gathering is now the norm for the unforeseeable future. We gather on the couch in the living room, huddled around the laptop, and we sing and watch the sermon together. Do you miss the corporate gathering as I do? I miss the voices of my church raised together in worship. I miss being a part of a congregation of people who share a common faith. I miss their faces. I miss the social contact of hugs and handshakes.
I know that it's all we can do to respond to the present needs and pull off the weekly online gathering. The work involved in transitioning church services and mobilizing people to serve those desperate for help must be overwhelming. However, amid this crisis, I wonder if anyone is looking ahead to the days after the virus subsides? I am learning that good leadership looks forward and prepares for the future.
I'm not critical of church leaders. Instead, I'm thinking out loud and inviting conversation. Here are some questions I have:
Will fear continue to keep people at home even after our society returns to normalcy? How will church leaders encourage members not to forsake the gathering (Heb 10:25)? We have created a format that people may prefer. Will churches continue this online format?
Will our churches have new visitors in light of the virus? Will church leaders be ready to welcome and embrace them?
Will the church be ready to help those who have suffered job loss and financial setbacks due to our cultural shutdown? How generous can we be to aid those who need basic food and shelter needs? How are we preparing our people for that now?
How will we help those who are grieving the loss of family members? Who is thinking about how to do a funeral that no one can attend? I've never seen an online funeral. How does a pastor minister to family and friends in this format? I'm sure pastors will figure it out, but now is the time to prepare.
How does the church support local and community municipalities, schools, and hospitals as they prepare to re-engage regular community rhythms? Will there be new and different opportunities for which the church can assist?
How do we keep the church and our people from insulating and isolating so that our community thrives post virus? It's time to look up and look forward.
I don't want to discourage doing excellent ministry work. I see so many church leaders doing awesome work and making crucial decisions during this pandemic. We don't know what the future holds, but I do know that the church will need strong leadership to move forward.
I'm starting to think about the post virus church.