Some Thoughts as Churches Reopen
At Central, we have been meeting in person for five weeks, but we have had to have two services. It looks like that will be changing in the next couple of weeks. Many other congregations are doing similar things (holding more than one service), some have not met in person yet, and others have begun meeting again, but are still seeing very small numbers. All of those are very understandable and leaders of each congregation should be commended for their thoughtful and prayerful consideration of very delicate matters.
However, as more congregations prepare to reopen (or to resume more normal schedules), I have a few things that I would like to suggest.
- Don’t Forget Those Who Still Can’t Meet. Even as so many are returning, there are some members of congregations who simply cannot get out in public, and maybe not for quite some time. It will be easy to forget those members, but we need to do our best to continue to encourage them in any way we can.
- Pray for Unity. Last Sunday, I mentioned this to our members at Central. We love each other and have a tremendous family atmosphere, but we have been separated for three months. That’s a long time, and coming back together in one service and still having that same unity will not happen seamlessly. We need to be praying for a spirit of unity to prevail…even if we can’t shake hands for awhile.
- Remember that Some are Nervous. You may not be. You may be itching to get back to normal and may even think all of this has been a conspiracy or totally overblown. But there are many who are ill-at-ease about being in larger groups, even at church. They may leave quickly and quietly and you may think they are odd for doing so. Respect them and try to reach out to them during the week, simply to show support to them and appreciation that they are coming at all.
- Remember that Some are Not Nervous. On the other hand, if you are fearful, there are some who are acting like nothing is really going on. That may confuse you, or even anger you, but respect their desire for things to be back to normal, as well. This really is not anything worth arguing and fussing about.
- Don’t Forget the Lost! If there has ever been a time when congregations could become internally focused to the extreme, it is now. We love being around each other so much, and have missed it so much, that I truly fear evangelism of the lost will move to the back burner–at best. We simply must keep reaching out and seeking to win souls.
Of course, there are many other things to think about. But maybe these build into your mind some areas to focus on and have in your prayers as we slowly move toward some semblance of normal in churches all over the country and world.
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AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
