Pastors: the COVID-19 crisis won’t end quickly. Scientists predict it will last for months, even over a year.
For now, it’s the new normal. How should we respond?
Sticking to What We Know
Few of us aren’t qualified to speak to the best approach to managing a pandemic. We’re pastors, not public health experts. We may have opinions, but we don’t have expertise.
Many of us agonized over what to do in the early stages of the pandemic. I appreciated hearing Mark Dever say that we should stick to our wheelhouse. Let’s be cautious about speaking as pastors to issues we don’t understand.
Gathering Online
I was encouraged to see so many churches post something online last Sunday. Not every church could do so on short notice, but many did, and I’m grateful.
Larger churches may just post a video or livestream a service. Another option is to use webinar or conferencing technology that allows people to participate from home: somebody reads the Scripture; somebody else prays; someone else offers a word of encouragement. If possible, I want to retain the participatory elements of corporate worship, and technology seems to allow this. Let’s not settle for a broadcast if we can help it. Let’s look for ways to facilitate participation.
We’re trying the same with small groups. It won’t be the same, but we’re going to use online meeting software. If this is going to last months, it’s worth experimenting.
Online meetings aren’t a substitute, but they’re arguably better than nothing. If you can’t do this or believe it’s not advisable, then read Scripture and worship at home and long for the return of corporate worship.
Family Worship and Discipleship
Many of us have struggled with family worship. We may believe that parents are responsible to disciple their children, but we often outsource it to others to disciple our children and youth through church programs.
Now we don’t have a choice. Books like A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos or Family Worship: In the Bible, In History, and In Your Home by Donald Whitney can help. Start small and experiment. It’s a great time to figure this out.
Caring for Our People
We’re going to need each other in the next months. Many of us will face anxiety, loneliness, health concerns, and financial stress. We may not be able to visit each other easily, but we can stay in touch through texts and phone calls. We can help meet financial needs. And we can pray.
Two Final Words
For churches that operate without much margin, this crisis may be especially challenging. Let’s keep an eye out for our sister churches and for pastors who may not get their regular income. Let’s encourage our people to be faithful in giving, both to support ministry and to provide for those in need.
I can’t wait until we gather again in person. Last Sunday a few of us gathered, although we encouraged people to watch our livestream. At the end of the service, we spontaneously sang the doxology together. It may be a while before we’re all in the same room again, singing, hearing God’s Word, eating at the Table, and encouraging each other. What a day that will be.
