Friends, I hope you are doing well. Here in Brazos county, we've been under a shelter-in-place order for a few days now, but of course, the social distancing and guidelines are now entering their 3rd week, and we have no idea how much longer this will last. So we need to continue to be wise in how we move forward as churches to show submission to the authorities God has placed over us while striving to minister to the body of believers that we are covenanted to.
We know that God does indeed work all things together for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). So here are just some thoughts from my own personal experience and from what I've heard from others as to how God is already using this for good
1. God is reminding us of how important personal, face-to-face, interaction is in the church. We were not created to have our relationships mediated through internet streams and conference calls. God created us for in-person interaction. This is an important reminder in a day where social media has, ironically, made people less social and more isolated. Perhaps this COVID-19 crisis will help the world see how important embodied relationships are. (2 John 12 - Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete.)
2. God is helping churches learn to minister in the 21st century. Without contradicting my first observation, it is clear that social media and internet presence is key to church life in our age. When I got to the CBBA, I was shocked to find that only 50% of CBBA churches had a website or even Facebook. That is the equivalent of not having a front door in our day, and it makes it virtually impossible to reach anyone younger than 45. This coronavirus crisis has forced the hand of many churches who have been unwilling or unable to change and adjust to communication in a digital age. (Matthew 13:52 - And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”)
3. God is opening up opportunities for creative outreach and evangelism. Evangelism is non-existent in many churches. That is sometimes due to apathy or lack of urgency. The current crisis has created urgency! It's amazing how an existential crisis opens up avenues to have gospel conversations. I have heard from several people that have told me that COVID-19 has given them open doors to share the gospel. Not only that, but many of our churches are seeing people who wouldn't darken the doors of a church logging in online to see and hear the gospel preached. God is giving us new avenues of evangelism. (John 4:35 - Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.)
4. God is revealing the limits of government, the foolishness of celebrities, and the relative unimportance of sport. Just weeks before this crisis hit you could scan the news headlines and easily see the idols that dominate American lives: politics, entertainment, and sports. But since this pandemic took hold we've seen many of the foolish political side-shows disappear, we've seen celebrities sidelined to irrelevance, and we've seen sport take a back seat. This is good. It is far past time that we find our peace and comfort in the One True God. (Psalm 20:7 - Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.)
5. God is reminding us to put family first. It has been great to see families posting videos or photos of the fun and creative things they have been doing since being "quarantined." I know that our family has had a lot of fun playing games, going on walks, biking, and finding some new TV shows to watch. I have been reminded of how blessed I am to have a wonderful family and how much I enjoy them. That's a good thing! (Psalm 127:3 - Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.)
6. God is also reminding us that He is sovereign and we are not. Things were pretty good for Americans before the virus crisis. The economy was booming and life was pretty easy. And then one invisible bug brought us to our knees. These events have a way of reminding us that at any given moment our God can sideline the best-laid plans of men, but His purposes can never be thwarted. He is absolutely sovereign over the affairs of men! (Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.)
7. Finally, God has reminded us of the seriousness of sin and the need for redemption. While we cannot say that COVID-19 is the direct result of any specific sin, we can say with complete confidence that the virus is due to the fallen condition of our world. Natural evil exists because we are fallen beings in a fallen world. This crisis has reminded us that we are sinners in need of new-life and that corrupted creation longs to be renewed. Christ Jesus is the only hope for both! (Revelation 21:5 - And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”)
Of course, there are a myriad of other good things that God is working through this trial, most of which we will never know on this side of heaven. With that said it is still a trial and we still need to be praying for one another and helping each other during these days. Below are some more links and resources to help you and our churches navigate the rough seas of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. I know you have probably already had information overload, but here's some more help if you need it and want it:
More Articles, Links, and Resource Helps
Zoom is offering the upgraded version of their video-meeting platform for FREE right now. This is great since Zoom is the best platform out there.
Another article about tools and strategies for ministry during these days.
Here is an article about one of the trends we're seeing (drive-in church) for creatively overcoming the orders not to gather.
I hope you enjoy as much as I did this video of several Christian artists singing "It Is Well" remotely. Powerful!
The National Center for Life and Liberty has a good COVID-19 response page with good resources for churches and Christian schools.
Here's a question many pastors are asking. I agree with Tim Challies' conclusions.
Ministry Grid continues to add resources to help churches minister remotely.
Generosity doesn't have to fall by the wayside while we are not able to gather. This article is helpful.
Digital curriculum is available through Lifeway. One of the new pastors in our association (and my new pastor) co-authored this helpful piece for the ERLC.
This article helps you envision different digital platforms as your church building.
My friends over at Union Baptist Association in Houston have produced several helpful articles to think through this crisis theologically and practically.
A good article to help us return to a sense of normalcy.
Pastors, you are important, especially during this crisis. Jared Wilson reminds you of that in this article.
Finally, for our pastors. How on earth do you preach well to an empty room? Here are some thoughts.
Like I said, information overload. But, Lord willing, some of this can be helpful.
In Christ,
Steve Doyle
Associational Missions Strategist (or...DOM)
Creath-Brazos Baptist Association
@lsdoylejr
steved@cbba.org
979-587-1340