There’s quite a bit of speculation going on right now about what the church should look like post-pandemic. For sure, it will look different. The idea of going back to normal is a fantasy because “normal” has changed.
Like many of you, I’ve been reading blogs of popular authors and church experts and have read books seeking to describe what a post-pandemic church might look like. This is my attempt to summarize.
My goal here is to give you the broad categories and encourage you to have conversation, in your own context, about what this means for the future of your church. Please know that the offices of Grow, Equip and Connect are available to resource, coach and consult your congregation in this time of transition.
Churches that will thrive post-pandemic…
#1 Get clear about and stay focused on WHY. “Why do we exist?” This doesn’t require a lengthy process a developing a finely crafted mission or vision statement but simply to go back to the beginning of what Jesus intended the church to BE and Do. I would invite you to read the following scriptures, preferably with a group, and then write in your own words a Why Statement of less than 15 words that begins with, “Our church exists so that…” Once you have agreement on the WHY, everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) your church does should align with that WHY. (Matthew 22:34-40; Matthew 25:31-46 and Matthew 28:16-20)
#2 Focus on formation rather than information. Discipleship is less about knowing who Jesus is and more about doing the things that Jesus did. Being formed in the image of Jesus is vastly more important than being informed about Jesus. We already know more about Jesus than we need to do be about his WHY for us! What are you doing, or will you do, to help your people become formed in the image and likeness of Jesus?
#3 Recapture a sense of being a neighborhood church. Your church exists in the community for a reason. Do you know what that is? When we begin to see our community as part of our church parish (and vice versa) we will begin to treat those who live around us as though they already belong to us. We will learn their names. We will hear their stories. We will feel their pain. We will recognize their needs. And we will become their friends. Together, we will be on the journey as God’s beloved people transforming the neighborhood and the wider community for good. Is your church neighborhood friendly? Well, how thick is your policy manual designed to protect your building from outsiders? Do your policies make it easier for the people of your community to use your facilities? Do you understand your buildings as God’s gifts intended for your community?
#4 Move more fully into the digital world. In person worship will continue post-pandemic but will likely be smaller in attendance for some time. Online worship, online small groups, virtual community engagement, are not just temporary things we do until the pandemic is over. Our digital presence will become one of the most essential evangelism tools we have to fulfil our mission. Much like God used the persecution of the early church to move it out of its comfort zone (Jerusalem) God is using this pandemic to move us out of our comfort zones to meet people where they are…online! How wonderful that many of our congregations have experienced a growth in worship attendance through digital means. Maintaining and growing our digital presence will ensure that we stay connected with those whom we have met online (maybe God has sent us) during this pandemic. How will we continue to connect with people we may never see in person and disciple them in the ways of Jesus? Think Both/And when planning worship with a mixture of in-person and virtual experiences.
#5 Learn how to pivot more quickly as the world around us changes at a dizzying pace. They will learn how to abandon the things that no longer work in fulfilling their mission. They will practice simplicity by letting go of those things that drain away energy and limited resources and may not serve the mission (the WHY). They will encourage families who have found opportunities to spend more time together during the pandemic to continue doing so rather than creating new ministries and programs that will try to pull them back into business.
#6 Take seriously a call to prayer. May I ask you directly? When was the last time you prayed for your church? Your pastor and staff? Your leaders? Your community? Your people and your newcomers by name? Now, when was the last time you sat and listened for response from God? I’d like to add a simple prayer for your use especially as you move back to in-person gatherings: “Lord, what do you want to do through ME (or US in a corporate setting) to fulfil your WHY for my/our church?” Simple. Powerful. Revitalizing. Take time to sit and listen. “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” (Martin Luther)
Many more books and blogs will likely be written with better lists than mine. But this is enough, I believe, to get us started. I encourage you to print this and use it for conversation with your leadership team.
These are the things we in the church should have been doing all along. We lost our focus (our WHY) became distracted by our own needs and desires and forget to stay focused outward where God is working in the world.
Isn’t it wonderful how God is using this present crisis to bring us back to center? How exciting to contemplate the marvelous works of God ahead of us and to know that we are still invited to be partners in it!
