LOCAL CHURCHES GET READY! 

One of the most unusual results of the current pandemic has been the changes experienced at our local churches. Whether we want to discuss it or not, after the Pandemic, our worship and church environment will be very different from what we experienced before all this mess occurred. What kind of changes can we expect? My guess is that smaller churches (both in building and attendance) will receive a great boost in attendance, as will house churches, small groups (Sunday School), and online/streaming/televised worship. Large churches will also have new opportunities.

When it’s time for us to return to worship, large crowds are going to be a bit nervous for everyone. I don’t expect that people are going to feel comfortable in big groups, especially when it includes the holding of hands, passing of the peace, etc. I believe that those who are seeking places of worship will tend to choose a smaller venue or a smaller-attended service.

House churches will also receive much more attention. it’s going to be easier to “trust” the cleanliness of a house church that has direct control over the amount of people who attend. A house church also provides for a more sanitized environment for children and those with compromised immune systems that aren't always easy to achieve in a larger setting. Obviously, this has a direct impact on visitors. The only way visitors will know about house church is through personal invitations by those who already attend. Can we say, “New Testament Church?” I believe we can.

Sunday School, Faith Groups and Small Groups will be more important than they’ve been in recent years. I would estimate that small groups will be greatly desired by church-attendees, allowing for personal worship (yet at an arms’ length) and discipleship growth opportunities. This will occur on typical Sunday mornings and on other days at varying times.

Online worship will be more important than it's ever been. Many of us are growing accustomed to online worship. We’re figuring out how to experience worship without leaving our homes. My guess is that plenty of folks will continue to choose to “watch” church rather than attend it. This isn’t a bad thing! It’s just different. The result is that all churches, both large and small, will need to pay much more attention to their online viewing capabilities.

This isn’t an attempt to spook anyone. However, now is the time to start thinking about these changes. So, a couple of points:

SMALL CHURCHES (both in attendance and/or facility): It’s time to get busy cleaning up your websites and making online worship easy (especially with Holy Week approaching!). Get out of your comfort zones and consider that ALMOST ALL potential visitors are going to watch you online for a couple weeks before they walk through the door. Visitors are going to dig through your social media options and try to discern if your church is a place that will provide both a welcoming and safe environment. If you don’t make your online opportunity EASY for them to find, they will not watch (or attend).

LARGE CHURCHES: I would prepare for multiple, multiple worship services. Many churches already do this, but my guess is that your attendance increase is NOT going to be from more people attending the same service (at least in the short term). I think people are going to prefer smaller crowds, which means you’ll need to shrink your attendance in each service by offering more worship opportunities. Yes, this means more time and pressure on your worship staff and volunteers, but you might as well get ready for it. People are not going to like large crowds for a while.

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I love all churches. I’ve had the great blessing of attending many churches in recent months. Like many of you, I’m now attending multiple services via online streaming and video. I’m super-pleased about the creativity and commitment that churches are making right now. But we would be foolish to think that everything will go back to the way it was. It won’t. It will change, and, as church leaders, it’s time for us to start talking about those changes so that we will be ready when we’re finally able to come together for worship.

God loves all churches that proclaim His name through the Lord Jesus Christ. After we overcome this pandemic, the ground will be very fertile to make new disciples in the name of Jesus Christ. It’s going to be different. It’s going to be wonderful. God will be glorified and “The Church” (as in, all Christian Churches) will receive more attention and curiosity than we’ve seen in 75 years. I can’t wait to see the miracles that God is about to unveil around the local church!

“Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history.  Look! I’m doing a new thing;now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.” 
(Isaiah 43:18-19, CEB).