It’s been a LONG season for everyone.
It’s hard to even remember what things were like before March 2020.
It feels like we are living in a different world.
I don’t know about you. Maybe you were really optimistic about the pandemic:
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it won’t come to North America
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it won’t last long
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we will go back to ’normal’ by the Easter…spring…summer…fall….2021.
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we will get a vaccine and we will be done with it
The truth is this pandemic has lingered and lasted and affected just about every facet of our lives: family, work, school, hobbies, finances, vacation, retirements, births. You name it.
Here’s what we still don’t know:
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how many people will (continue to) die from this?
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what are long term effects of getting this virus?
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how long will we have to take precautions?
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when will we get to stop worrying about coughs and fevers and surfaces and distances and ‘bubbles’?
When all this started, back in early 2020, there was some talk about the nature of this event:
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would it be an interruption or a disruption? [hint: it’s a disruption]
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would this be like a BLIZZARD, a WINTER STORM or an ICE AGE? (see March 20 article – Leading Beyond the Blizzard: Why Every Organization Is Now a Startup By Andy Crouch, Kurt Keilhacker, and Dave Blanchard https://journal.praxislabs.org/leading-beyond-the-blizzard-why-every-organization-is-now-a-startup-b7f32fb278ff)
Well it’s pretty clear, this crisis is indeed an “ice age”.
Things have fundamentally shifted from the way they were.
In many ways for the Church, the pandemic has not brought new challenges, has much as it has accelerated or amplified trends that were already underway.
This means that ‘business as usual’ is not possible. Holding your breath to wait it out and let it pass is equally flawed.
The adrenaline rush and the fire drills of March and April have long since passed.
In their place we have chronic fatigue, an increasingly small and tired cast of staff and volunteers who stepped up months ago who are looking more tired and weary with every week that passes.
Meanwhile, your church seem to be disintegrating. The fabric that held everything together was damaged when he weekly meeting was cancelled. It continues to erode as time goes on.
In the best case, committed members and attenders were already starting to attend less frequently, BEFORE the pandemic.
Now despite ongoing travel restrictions, work and school from home, widespread sports and activities cancellations, most have lost any sense of rhythm. Many have drifted away, no longer participating in virtual gatherings or online services.
Some are clamouring for getting back together. Many are praying earnestly for it.
Others have simply disappeared. Pretty much disconnected from the body and drifting without the one-another’s that held the flock together in the past.
So what can I pastor possibly do? What’s you next possible step?
I’m reminded of the story of Peter leaving the boat in Matthew 14:22-33, which occurs immediately after feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.:
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night[d] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The disciples are freaking out in the boat, including a number of fisherman who might be expected to handle storms at sea with a bit less trepidation, but that’s another issue.
Look at what happens to Peter, starting in v.28. He recognizes the Lord and checks Jesus’ desire to have him join him on the water. Jesus confirms and Peter gets out of the boat and start to WALK ON THE WATER, heading to Jesus. He starts off well but is soon distracted by his surroundings, as he takes his eyes off Jesus. He begins to sink and cries out to the Lord to save him. Jesus rescues him, then admonishes him, saying: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”.
Here’s the thing. You are in the midst of your own COVID storm in the moment. But we know that Jesus will not leave us or forsake us.
So our task, as always, is to find Jesus and fix our eyes on him. We can continue to do all that he asks of us and despite our threatening surroundings, THROUGH FAITH, we will be able to rise above the waves.
Here are a practical steps you can take, regardless of the size or state of your church:
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FIND WHERE GOD IS STILL AT WORK AROUND YOU:
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Where do I see God at work in my life right now?
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Where do I see God at work in my church right now?
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Look for the things that can only be explained by God’s working. This includes: changed lives, people who are curious about God, people seeking and accepting the Good News of Jesus, people who are being transformed by the renewing of their hearts.
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CULTIVATE THESE “GOD STORIES”
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gather them up
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pass them around: email, sermons, conversations, social media, etc.
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invite others to share their stories
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JOIN HIM IS HIS WORK
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Like Peter, leave your boat and focus on Jesus
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Follow his lead and join his ways
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If you are NOT seeing God at work, REPENT
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Ask God to show your what is keeping you from God
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Thanking Him for his grace, ask for forgiveness and turn immediately back to him (repent)
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