The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting almost all parts of society. The impact is minimal in some areas of life, and in others, the change is significant and life altering. Churches are not immune from the broader tremors that are shaking core social and economic foundations.
This was our seventh Sunday without church. Each week I am preaching a sermon which is then posted online for our congregation. On Sunday mornings many of our people join on zoom to listen to the sermon and then spend time catching up and prayer together (but I don’t think it’s church). During the week small groups once again meet on zoom for Bible study and prayer, and there are numerous other interactions taking place every day.
While the current arrangements are far from ideal, we understand them. Life has required Australians to make adjustments, some which cause grief and uncertainty. Most Churches I suspect are still adapting and finding a rhythm to manage society’s new pace, let alone thinking of what the status quo will be like in six or twelve months time.
No one knows how long the pandemic will continue or what the long term repercussions will be … Large gatherings (including church services) are probably months away.
As I am writing this It is May 3, 2020. No one knows how long the pandemic will continue or what the long term repercussions will be. Most States across Australia are beginning to relax restrictions. In Victoria, Stage 3 restrictions remain—but even here I anticipate that small groups will be allowed to start meeting again from later this month. Large gatherings, however (including church services) are probably months away.
As we approach two months of COVID-19 restrictions, I have noticed a number of trends beginning to emerge among Australian Churches. These indications are based on my own experience and the many conversations I am having with pastors across the country.
1. A Godly Hunger.
Not only at Mentone, but as I speak with pastors and Christians from around the country, I am seeing and hearing countless stories of service and kindness. People are making an effort to serve others practically, in prayer, and in word. This eagerness to love the body of Christ is accompanied by a growing hunger for being together again as a church. Praise God!
At Mentone, we are not trying to replicate church on Sundays or to pretend that what we’re doing is church. We consciously avoid using the language of ‘church’ or ‘service’, and we have made deliberate choices not to include every element that would be present on a Sunday service. For example (although others have other opinions on this question), we are not commemorating the Lord’s Supper while we are apart. This is not simply a matter of theological conviction, it’s also intended to create a godly hunger among our people to be together again in person; to see one another face to face, and to worship God as church; to partake of the Lord’s Supper again.
If these weeks of isolation create that hunger in God’s people to love the church and long to be together as a church, it will be a wonderful sign of God’s grace.
Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.
(2 Timothy 1:4)
But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
(1 Thess 2:17-20)
2. An Ungodly Separation
While many members of our churches are using this season to draw closer to Christ and to his church. Others, sadly, will use the situation to draw away.
Without regular face-to-face church, it is easier for people to slip away. Churches will lose people during this pandemic. These people were probably already drifting prior to the restrictions, but without the accountability of regular and public gatherings, the cover of forced separation is their justification for leaving your church and perhaps Christ also.
I shared these verses from 1 Peter with Mentone during the week, to help us combat this temptation,
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
(1Peter 5:7-9)
3. From Fast to Fatigue and then Rest
Adapting to the new environment has required an immense amount of time and energy. The ministry and mission of a local church don’t fundamentally change, but the immediate and drastic constraints forced upon us have necessitated rapid learning, quick responses, high energy mixed with headaches and new anxieties. It’s a classic recipe for fatigue.
Speaking personally, after running at a sprint for the first 5 weeks, I needed to take 3 days rest last week. I was toasted, baked, and grilled, all in one. Rest is important—as is our doctrine of God. For if he remains Sovereign over the world—if his Son is still Lord of his church—then we can rest in him and trust that he has everything under his loving care. It’s okay to turn off the laptop. It’s okay to produce a sermon that’s not quite finished. It’s okay for online presentations to be a little rough. It’s okay if you didn’t manage to call everyone you had on your list for that week.
It’s okay to turn off the laptop. It’s okay to produce a sermon that’s not quite finished. It’s okay for online presentations to be a little rough. It’s okay if you didn’t manage to call everyone you had on your list.
Government restrictions are likely to continue for some months, even if the tightest limitations begin to loosen during May. We are going to need to pace ourselves; set realistic goals for each week; be content with less efficiency and lower productivity. We need to learn the grace of resting in Christ and trusting God.
4. Breaking the Back of Christian Consumerism?
Consumerism and obstinate individualism are deeply ingrained in Australian culture and also pervasive in Christian attitudes toward the Church. They work against discipleship and long term committed members and instead creates short term attendees and parasitic Christians. churches that pander to it make themselves into poor religious versions of Vogue or Netflix—a poor exchange for the word of God and his covenants.
Yet, by the grace of God, this pandemic is a great opportunity to go simple and return to Bible basics. Do we need a professional-standard band to lead our worship? Do we really need stand-up comics in our pulpits? Are academy award winning visuals necessary for weekly announcements?
I’m not saying that aiming low is somehow more sanctified. But let’s be clear—the quality of production is not a measure of faithfulness, whether it is created by a television crew or by a 6-year-old helping out Dad to press record on his iPhone.
A likely scenario is that churches with high production value online will continue to attract visitors once the crisis ends. And this is great news if it is the gospel drawing people. But are our online ‘services’ reinforcing the consumer mindset? Are they distracting us from the main things: making disciples; reading and preaching the Word; preaching the whole counsel of God; permeating everything with prayer; congregational participation in song?
5. Return of the Local Church
Are the days of mega-churches over? I doubt it—and this isn’t intended as a criticism of large churches—but the longer restrictions remain in place for large gatherings, the more people may want to turn to local and smaller churches. It may be a matter of necessity: the ABC reported last week reported that large crowds may not be permitted to meet until a vaccine is available; that means 2021 or even beyond.
If that happens it may well benefit gospel ministry. Of course there is is no ‘right’ size for a church. Every size and location has peculiar strengths, but there is something compelling about belonging to a church that’s found in your local community. It enables closer and deeper gospel community and it created more evangelistic opportunities. Is it easier to invite a friend living five or fifty minutes drive away?
6. Financial Strain and Ministry Recalibration
Many Australians have already lost work and many more are now working reduced hours for less money. Given that most churches rely solely upon the generosity of God’s people, it’s inevitable that churches will face financial reduced giving. Some will be hit so hard that they will close permanently, others will need to reduce staff, and the way churches conduct ministry may need to change.
But many churches have already been in decline, and their fundamental problem is not the pandemic but years of poor teaching and bad theology that has left congregations malnourished and parched. Their end was always coming.
For other churches, however, this new economic climate is going to force some deep thinking and soul-searching. It is a time to be asking, what is the church? What is the mission? How can be best arrange gospel priorities in our budget?
7. A Hunger for Hope
… now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation. (2Corinthians 6:2)
People around the world are nervous and even fearful of the future right now. There is a note of despair in discussions of life and its expectations. In the coming months, we’ll discover whether this will result in people turning to Christ or just carrying on (c.f Rev 16:9-11).
Either way, Jesus teaches that such things have always been and will continue to be experienced:
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. (Matthew 24:6-8)
Accompanying world events, Jesus also explains,
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (v 14)
While I’m reticent to place confidence in a ‘changing’ world, the Bible tells us that ‘today is the day of salvation.’ God remains sovereign and the gospel remains good, true and powerful. Therefore God is perfectly able to grow his kingdom beyond our expectations and prayers. God is not bound by my glass half empty views.
God remains sovereign and the gospel remains good, true and powerful. Therefore God is perfectly able to grow his kingdom beyond our expectations and prayers. God is not bound by my glass half empty views.
So if people are asking questions, let’s offer the good news of Jesus Christ. If people are fearful, let’s offer his comfort. If people are looking for hope, let’s present the secure hope of Christ.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6)
