My Biggest Concern as the Pandemic Goes On
For the better part of six months now, we have been dealing with coronavirus restrictions and changes. Our schools, jobs, recreation, shopping, and even our churches have had to do things differently. Every aspect of our lives has been touched to some degree.
As a preacher, I have some serious concerns over what all of this is doing to individual Christians and to each congregation. But there is one concern I have that is greater than any other.
What is it?
Well…
My biggest concern is NOT lower attendance or giving numbers. Yes, it is difficult to preach to a room that is half-full (or less), but I know that many are watching on livestream, and that’s the best they can do right now. It may be difficult, but it’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT for those Christians who post on social media about shopping outings and going out to eat and going on little get-aways, but then won’t come to worship because they “are trying to be careful.” It’s very disheartening, but it’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT seeing families who are having to deal with issues that have been simmering for a long time and, now that they are home together a lot more, have those issues explode. Children are having to watch their parents argue and fuss, and couples wonder if they will make it much longer, but that’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT how this has hurt personal evangelism. Right now, the thought of talking to someone else and asking to meet face-to-face is so frowned upon by so many that we are not willing to ask, out of fear. So, personal Bible studies are drying up, but that’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT children and teenagers missing their Bible classes for weeks (and months) on end; thus, not getting as solid of a foundation of Bible learning. I hate that they aren’t getting those things, but it’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT seeing Christians take to social media to gripe and complain about politics or masks or anything else. Nor is it seeing Christians go back-and-forth in public view on these matters, letting the world see disunity when it should see love. It bothers me to no end, but it’s not my biggest concern.
My biggest concern is NOT that some people are taking their “extra” time to binge Netflix and Hulu and Disney+, but are not using the time to read their Bible or watch spiritual content. As such, they are atrophying in their spiritual lives and, in many cases, growing desensitized to sin by what they are taking in, but it’s not my biggest concern.
I could go on, but you didn’t choose to read this for what types of things are NOT my biggest concerns.
So, what is? As a preacher, and as someone who simply cares about souls, what is my biggest concern as this pandemic continues to stretch out week after week and month after month?
It’s that I will get so discouraged and tired that I stop caring about these things.
May God help that not happen, no matter how long this takes.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
