COVID-19 Proves Churches Can Change
I have joked that “I don’t mind change as long as it’s the same kind of change we have always had.” I actually don’t hate change that much but use it to share how many in the church feel.
I have heard from many people in many churches that they just can’t change. It’s too hard and they need things the way they used be. Forget the 21st century, some churches are trying to get into the 20th century.
Then COVID-19 happened.
There was no time to nominate a committee and gather data based on how much the congregation was willing to change.
We had to pivot right in the moment. We had to ask questions that we never had to ask (can we do online communion?) and not wait for years to come up with an answer.
Those who were not technologically inclined were participating in worship through Facebook or YouTube, fellowshipping through Zoom and giving through an online platform.
We do not celebrate COVID-19. Real people died and suffered. There has been both physical and economic pain.
But if there is one thing that COVID-19 has taught us is that the church CAN change. Pandora’s box has been opened. We can never go back. Old excuses are not believable.
I’m not suggesting that we change just for the sake of change. There is a core mission for the church (loving God and loving people) that can never change. But our methods can and should be changed according to our circumstances.
I was recently on a webinar about reopening churches. One of the pastors on the panel said, “Be married to the mission but date the method.” I don’t know if he got that from someone else.
The point is that we stay committed to the mission but we hold the method much more loosely. That is good advice for us, both during and after COVOD-19.
