Our New Reality Continues
It is hard to believe we are about to finish the month of July and move into August. Looking back at the past four months, it seems that as we try to make plans for the future, we anticipate circumstances to be better by that point. But here we are, still planning for our “new normal” to continue. I am amazed how our churches, and especially our pastors, are working to minister to their congregations through the Internet, phones and even in-person when they can. I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for pastors to have congregants in the hospital or having a medical tests and to be told that they can’t be with them or pray with them before the test or surgery. Our staff and superintendents are usually busy on the road or in the air traveling to see pastors, congregations or to attend conferences but now we are signing into Zoom meetings. We are thankful for the technology, but it is not the same as getting together face to face.
New Connections
One of my church connections was in the process of planting a new congregation when the pandemic began and they put everything on hold. It has been interesting over the last few weeks to hear them again planning to plant a new Internet-based church. This idea has been interesting to follow and consider what that might look like as a functioning church. We have heard from many of our pastors how their numbers have grown as they continue to meet through online worship services. Many have friends and former church members who are able to connect from a distance, but others have seen doors open to people who might not be comfortable coming to their local church for the first time. We must consider how to build the bridge relationally past the worship service online to church members/small group members, fellowship gatherings and ongoing discipleship.
As I have said over the last few weeks, we cannot wait to get back to normal to continue to reach out and minister to the unreached of our communities and the world, but we must find ways to connect in our new situations. This is a challenge, not just for the pastor, but for every Christian to share your faith, witness and disciple those God puts in your path. If you have some examples of how you are doing this, please send them to me at execdirect@acgc.us or post them on Facebook, let’s challenge each other to reach out and show God’s love.