The impact of the pandemic has been felt in local churches all across the country. From models of pastoral care to changes in giving patterns to the logistics of worship gatherings, every church has had to grapple with how we navigate this ever-changing landscape. For some churches these shifts will lead to closing the doors permanently, others will lean into innovative ways of ministering, and many will view themselves as a restart, of sorts, focusing on fresh opportunities to reach people in their communities with the heart of a new church plant.
So, where does the church go from here, when “here” is still awkward and anxious and “there” is unfamiliar and unknown? This is the question the pandemic has given us; a question which cannot be answered with sweeping statements, as the context of every local congregation is unique. However, there are some signposts, broad indicators, and common ground—rooted in the very nature of the church herself—which together provide a way we can all begin to approach the near future of the church.
1. The mission of the church has not changed. Jesus made it clear that his followers were to be witnesses of the gospel message, introducing people to Jesus and engaging in the relational ministry of making disciples. This was the mission of the early church and this same mission has been handed down, generation after generation, across the globe, as the clarion call of the church. Over her history, the church has endured a number of pandemics and other crises, both local and global. Throughout, the mission has remained the same: Point people to Jesus, invite them into Christ’s community, and walk with them through a life of discipleship. Regardless of what is happening all around us, we are called to reach new people and invite them into God’s family.
2. The most effective way to grow as a Christ-follower is to engage in his mission. Over the centuries, many books have been written and talks have been given attempting to uncover the best way to approach spiritual growth. However, what has been shown to be true is that the surest way to develop as a disciple of Jesus is to follow him by living on mission. As pastors and ministry leaders, the greatest service we can give to the people God has entrusted to us is to challenge them to engage in Jesus’ mission to a hurting world. Encourage them to step out and start a spiritual conversation, even if it simply begins with an invitation to join them at church. These provide opportunities for Christ-followers to lean on the Spirit, sincerely pray for those around them, offer their own stories as they listen to the stories of others, and ultimately, introduce people to Jesus and his church, where they can find true community and spiritual renewal.
A primary concern pastors have been voicing over these months is their uncertainty as to whether or not the people of their church are really engaged anymore, and if so, to what degree. This has become difficult to sense, especially when so many are viewing online worship from afar. One way to reinvigorate a local church and discover where people are is to encourage them to embrace a missional challenge. This directly addresses the two great questions—how do we reengage our people and how do we reach new people—as well as aligning with the very heart of the early church.