Most mainline churches will be struggling to attract people back to church as they transition past the pandemic and its restrictions. I am not speaking about the building made of bricks and mortar, although a meeting place can be very useful, but the opportunity to hear the gospel preached through the mouth of God’s servant, as it occurs each Lord’s Day as well as enjoying the fellowship of gathered believers, a foretaste of heaven itself.
One of the reasons church leaderships are keen to see people back at ‘church’ is because the gospel needs to be heard, not only for the encouragement of the local fellowship, but also for the work of missions and evangelising which is not yet done. If it were, then we would see the return of Christ.
Many church leaderships are to be commended for the way they have led and brought the gospel to their local fellowships during the lockdowns and other restrictions. But now moving to a post-pandemic situation, albeit slowly, we must not leave the work of the gospel proclamation to online streaming services alone. The church needs all the parts and gifts of the church body to come together and be involved in gospel ministry (1 Cor 12).
As it currently stands, the ‘church’ is in real danger of being comfortable sitting on the couch at home sipping their cup of coffee and no longer having a visible presence in their local fellowship or communities. And it is easy to acknowledge that doing ‘church’ on the couch is so convenient. You don’t have to wear face masks which are so annoying. You can drink your favourite drink but not in the church auditorium. You don’t have to sit next to someone that you don’t really wish to sit next to. You don’t have to rush about and get ‘dressed’ in your Sunday best. You don’t even have to rush off and do what you have been rostered on to do! And let’s not forget, if you don’t like what you are hearing, you can change the channel or even switch the speaker off, especially if he goes on too long!”
Unfortunately, and sadly, if you choose to stay home and do ‘church’ on the laptop, smart TV, or YouTube, you do it with no involvement, no opportunity for service, no accountability or responsibility for discipline, and no pstoral care. All you will end up creating for yourself is a highly privatized Christian faith and you will not be available to compliment the congregation or the mission or evangelism effort with your gifts or insights but to just simply mature on your own. It would be an embarrassing travesty of New Testament Christianity when the gathering for Sunday worship becomes an optional extra.
As you consider this, it may be useful to consider the following four things for post-pandemic church. First, eat up – make sure you have a daily diet of God’ word. Second, grow up into Christ and don’t be a baby. Third, show up – attend church services as regularly as possible and other mid-week opportunities where we can encourage and be encouraged and invite our friends. Fourth, step up, take your place nourished by the word of God, enabled and equipped. If we as Christians took this approach with greater earnestness, the Lord may be pleased to use us for the benefit of our Christian neighbour, and our unbelieving friends.
So, as we slowly step out of pandemic restrictions, may it be our goal to be a rich blessing to others by coming to ‘church’, hearing the good news of Jesus Christ and sharing it with others.
Prayer: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in the grace of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, please help me to be prayerfully holy and joyfully obedient to your word. And so, as a member of my church in submission to its leadership, to believe and proclaim the gospel that Christ is my loving Saviour and living Lord. Help and encourage me to regularly attend my Sunday congregation and my midweek small group, and contribute my prayer, time, and talents to our church life and outreach. Help me also to give sacrificial to the gospel ministry of our church and its ministry partners. In Jesus name. Amen. JZ (Adapted from a message by Rev AlistaIr Begg)