Churches face an unprecedented challenge as the world takes drastic measures to minimize the impact of the novel coronavirus that is sweeping across the globe. No seminary class prepared pastors to make the hard decisions that they have been forced to make in the last few weeks. No amount of years in ministry prepares you for a situation like this. But despite all the agonizing choices over closing and staying open, social distancing and skyrocketing anxiety, this crisis presents the church with a host of unexpected opportunities. Here are five opportunities for the church during the viral quarantine.
First, become a non-anxious presence.
Being a non-anxious presence in our anxious communities creates an opportunity for people to be curious about the gospel. Social scientists say modern people only have 15% of the control that they think they have over their lives. The virus is showing people just how little control they actually have over their world, and the emotional fallout is panic. As followers of Jesus, we have always known that we do not have control. We have a good Father who is in control, and we can trust him even when everything around us appears to be spinning out of control. This calm in the midst of chaos becomes wildly attractive to a worrying world desperately looking for hope. If we can find our peace in Jesus, and calmly speak and act in love during this time, people will be curious about what allows us to not dissolve into the same panic they are feeling.
Second, help other churches.
This is an opportunity for local churches to help each other. Jesus said the world would know us by the way that we love each other (John 13:35). While many churches have moved to online services and video calls to stay in touch, many older congregations do not have the technology or the know how to implement these strategies. Reach out to an older pastor or a nearby congregation and see if you can share what you know about live streaming and video conferencing. Reach out to other local churches and see if you can do a live streamed service together. Learn from each other, and through this crisis your church may develop new digital strategies to use for years into the future.
Third, take advantage of more people being online.
As more and more people are forced to take time off work or work from home, thousands of people who would normally never see your social media posts are now not only seeing them, but engaging with them. Take advantage of a higher than normal digital audience to post a short encouraging message, a thank you to local healthcare workers or first responders, or a video of fun activities for kids and parents stuck at home to do together. Lots of people are bored from being stuck at home, so post fun games or homebound challenges. The more you bring meaning to people’s boredom, the more opportunity you will have to engage them spiritually during this crisis. Not everything has to be a spiritual post, posting something funny or entertaining can build an unchurched audience who then may dig into your more ministry based posts.
Fourth, meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
This crisis allows the church to showcase our love for the community. People listen to what we have to say once they are sure that we love them. Reaching out to the vulnerable neighbors around your church and your congregation’s neighborhoods will win you trust, so that when your doors reopen unchurched people will be open to being invited and hearing about the good news of Jesus. Start with people in your congregation who may be in a vulnerable demographic and can not risk going out and bring them groceries to their porch. Then turn to unchurched community friends who may need assistance. In times of crisis people often focus on themselves. By reaching out to others, we can show the community that the church does not exist for itself, but it exists for others!
Finally, this virus has upended all our schedules and all our plans.
As a wise professor once told me, when God interrupts your plans, stop and listen for his voice. This is a time to lean into the spiritual practices of Jesus. Embrace silence and solitude. Mediate on scripture and pray. Fast and repent. Perhaps out of the busy bustle of ministry, God is asking us to stop and slow down and enjoy his presence.
