What Should Ministry Look Like During a Pandemic?
Six months ago most of us in the United States were wondering if it was even possible to have a pandemic and if our lives would actually be affected by COVID-19. However, here we are at the end of the summer without an end game in sight. Hopes for the heat to kill the virus are long forgotten. People have felt overwhelmed with just figuring out how to do life with job changes, job losses, educational challenges, quarantines, concerns, and supply shortages. At times, the changes may have felt like trying to drink from a firehose.
Just as changes occurred hourly as the situation unfolded months ago, those hourly adjustments continue for decision makers today as they consider different scenarios. Churches suddenly had to figure out how to do ministry in a new way. Initially, the first steps were unthinkable and difficult, but fairly simple: shut down for a week or two. Then churches had to make decisions about how to keep worship going and how to do ministry safely. New skills were learned, videos made, and worship services streamed. For many, the learning curve was steep.
However, nearly six months into the adjustments, there remains one glaring issue that is now more urgent than ever to address: connection. While the use of electronic means to teach and keep people together is the safest way to do things, it lacks the ability to bring people together in the same way as being in the same time and space. The urgent need for human connection has been highlighted in the news, mental health struggles have increased, and people are missing human interaction. At this point, if the same tools chosen in the first few weeks are still being used, then prayerful consideration is needed to add new tools to our toolbox. Is this easy? No. There are myriad questions to ask and concerns to consider with no clear path forward. The struggle to balance safety and ministry is real.
I have often thought about Acts 4 when it comes to cultural challenges to our faith. However, this passage is what keeps coming to mind as I myself struggle with what ministry looks like during a pandemic with the balance of safety and in-person human connection. Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin for trial. I have often wondered how we would we react to something like that. What would we pray for? I can easily imagine us praying for “this cup to pass from us,” for safety, or for protection. However, what did the early church do? They prayed for boldness. In Acts 4:29 they prayed, “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.”
Boldness. What does that look like during a pandemic? Boldness could be insisting on taking precautions when there is pressure to ignore guidelines. Boldness could be figuring out ways to safely provide in-person connection opportunities despite the many questions and complications. Boldness is facing the challenge, looking it square in the eye, and ignoring the temptation to wait until the pandemic passes us by. It is praying for wisdom and guidance on how to continue. It is not giving up.
As a faculty member in the College of Bible and Ministry, I’ve heard stories of churches and ministers figuring out how to take steps forward despite the challenges. I have also seen churches and ministries frozen, and that concerns me greatly. During this uncertain time, people need God more than ever. When church removes itself from being an active participant in the lives of its members or its community, what is it saying? Will some conclude that church – or, even worse, that God – is irrelevant to their lives? For years we have talked about the danger of people being spiritual without church. We struggle with our society’s seeing church and belief as irrelevant. When we chose not to engage and adapt, the implications among our members and our communities are frightening.
In Matt. 5:14-16, Jesus says Christians are the light of the world. Rather than hiding their light, they should put it on display to provide light for the world. Despite the complications, the tenuous steps, the loud voices from every side, the decision fatigue, and feeling overwhelmed, we must move forward. We must make plans. We must continue to pray for boldness, seeking to engage our members and our community. Perhaps this is the time that we have been praying for, when we have a chance to share our faith and show our love to the world.
