written by Ryan C. Brown
The spread of COVID-19 has caused many pastors around the world anxiety and panic. Questions surrounding how and when congregations are able to meet in physical spaces have left many pastors scratching their heads as to how they should be leading their communities during this uncertainty. As Easter approached, there was word that some churches were planning on resuming service as normal, inviting thousands to gather together in one location. Health experts are still urging pastors from around the globe to recognize that promoting a gathering be detrimental to the efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In a recent article published in Christianity Today, pastors from both Spain and Italy discuss measures they have been implementing to prevent the spread of this virus. Top on the list for ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 is to adhere to social distancing guidelines. As pastors here in the US, we also must join these efforts and come together to keep our communities safe.
While our communities are not meeting physical spaces, perhaps social distancing provides another opportunity to serve the wider communities we find ourselves in. Pastors and churches that are active in advocating and protecting their local community earn a sense of trust. Many eyes are watching and the time to show the good faith communities can provide.
Several pastors have found success serving in this capacity already. Whatever the approach may be, social distancing offers unique ways for pastors to serve those closest in proximity to them—the people living in their local community.
New Opportunities to Serve the Local Community
“And when it grew late, his disciples came to [Jesus] and said, ‘This is a desolate place...send them away to go into the surrounding villages and buy themselves something to eat.’ But [Jesus] answered them, ‘You give them something to eat.’” Mark 6:35-37a (ESV)
This verse from Mark feels a lot like the posture many pastors take during times of extreme crisis like we are in now. In this verse, the disciples were overwhelmed with the need to provide food for so many people. When they asked Jesus to take care of it, he empowered them to become leaders. This scenario is prevalent now because what Jesus is doing is encouraging his disciples to get creative in how they define serving people. Pastors and churches are being given the same invitation to be creative in how they serve during social distancing. It is time to begin “turning over some rocks” and deciding where to begin to find a new life in terms of partnership and providing resources.
The local government is underutilized by many faith leaders. Townhall meetings and city council hearings are essential places for pastors to get a pulse on the needs of the local community. Having a voice in the community outside of Sunday morning shows a deeper intention to connect with those around you. This also gives pastors the time to look into new partnerships for their ministry. These next few weeks would be a great time to comb through the internet to see what is happening in the radius around your church building. Taking this time to become familiar with your community could unlock new potential for your team and ministry.
A misconception of social distancing is that it has to suspend any and all future planning. Pastors and churches are scrambling to take care of the immediate needs that they are missing some great future opportunities for ministry. One of these opportunities can come in forging a new local partnership. The work of God is done not only through the hands of faith leaders and faith communities. COVID-19 ignited a desire to serve others in need. People are driven to act and are taking small steps because they know small steps are at least moving in some direction. Pastors and churches can come alongside these groups and join them in the work they are doing. Social Distancing gives pastors a chance to find new partnerships they may otherwise not come into contact with. Creating a new sustainable partnership is also a great way to ease the stress and anxiety of the congregation.
Social distancing does not have to cut us off from our neighbors. Moreover, this cultural moment can allow pastors to identify and empower new leaders who are naturally rising to the occasion. During your next Zoom meeting or online service gathering, ask people what "local" means to them and allow them to be the eyes and ears of community outreach. There could be an entire crop of future leaders, church planters, and other "do-gooders" just waiting to be ignited. If you are struggling to adapt to this moment, recognize that the solution to the problem may be empowering another person to solve it.
Community Redefined
“For I was hungry and you gave me food…” Matthew 25:35a (ESV)
One of the unexpected benefits to the Social Distancing measures is that is has encouraged churches, pastors and churches to redefine what it means to be a local church. Now, more than ever, it is evident that "local church" doesn’t represent size or demographic. Local churches now are those willing and able to set up and serve people in need in real-time. There are a number of ways in which churches are already thinking outside of their normal boundaries and are reaching their hands out to those closest within reach. In Bay, Arkansas, a local church is helping with COVID-19 and a recent tornado by passing out over 2,000 free meals to people in their community. What an image of Matthew 25:35 literally come to life!
It may not be possible for every church to serve meals. And in a few months, there may be regulations against doing that. But that should not discourage leaders from finding creative ways to be a local resource. Here is a list of ideas that might help you stay connected, or even connect for the first time with your local community:
Many public school teachers have been doing drive-up visits to see their students. This is a great idea for families and elderly members in your community. You can maintain a safe distance and not leave your vehicle, even just waving from the street.
Soujrn’s Grace Collective, an inclusive faith community in San Diego, CA created “Helping Grants” for members of their community affected financially by COVID-19. These are funds they can apply for to help cover expenses such as rent, utilities, student loans, groceries, etc.
Securing accurate COVID-19 testing is a major need for many counties throughout the US. Pastors can use this time to advocate for their representatives to speed up getting accurate tests made as well as putting pressure on the administration to move faster to secure better testing.
Encourage other pastors who are not adhering to Social Distance measures, to start doing so. Currently, 15 states have in place a “religious exemption” to allow worship services to occur. Some are in the most vulnerable states in terms of at-risk individuals. If we are to truly care for the people God has entrusted us to care for, we can not allow in-person gatherings to happen, regardless of size or others.
These are just a handful of ways unique and creative thinking can open up new opportunities for your ministry. Major changes in the structure might be how your church redefines the community. Whatever the avenue maybe, social distancing has allowed pastors to reshape their perspective on community and what it means to serve those near them.
Closing
Social Distancing is now a part of our culture. We will have to practice this again at another point in our lifetime, probably sooner than we think. Pastors from around the globe are telling pastors in American to be ready. We must take them seriously, we must listen to their warnings and we must get prepared. As we get prepared, let's not forget our responsibility and instead step up as leaders. We do not have to figure out all of the answers on our own. We have a team of leaders either in place, or waiting on the fringe, looking for their chance to become ignited.
It is the moral obligation of faith leaders to look after and care for God's people. We can do this by helping them stay safe and keep their distance when other people's lives and safety are at risk. Pastors and churches, let us look to the benefits of social distancing and lead our communities safely. The eyes of the world are watching, and there are many of them. I pray we rise to the challenge and be the leaders we have been entrusted to be.
