As is obvious from social media, people have a wide variety of views about the recent lock-down/stay-at-home orders related to Covid-19. Some see all of it as way overblown. Others see it as helpful and necessary. Still more are somewhere in the middle on their thinking. Regardless of your view, it's clear there has been some obvious good to come out of the situation.
Specifically, I see a far more connected church community. Even at PBF where we tend to be above average in such things, there has been a greater awareness of our church family. Gifts and baked goods were dropped off on doorsteps, meals were delivered without illness, lawns were mowed, texts were on the rise, Facebook commenting was at an all-time high, and the number of video calls soared (much to the delight of Jetsons fans everywhere!). It's been glorious! But, it's also been a reminder to me that this is how it should be all the time. Rather than a response to "We can't do anything else," the church should labor at staying connected and being mutually encouraged.
We know this. But now things are opening back up. The lock-down is beginning to be lifted. And the temptation is there to fall back into the old patterns of not doing these things as often. The gains won for better fellowship through our quarantine might be lost. In fact, they will be lost, unless we are intentional about keeping them. So, here are some practical suggestions to maintain what we've gained.
1. Use the Membership Directory
It's been said before. It's almost a cliche. But it needs to be said again: the church's membership directory is the second most important "book" you have apart from the Bible. It tells you the names and shows you the faces of every person to whom you've been covenantally bound in membership at the church. Use it as a prayer guide (Eph 6:18). Use it as social media/texting/emailing list for encouragement (1 Thess 5:11). You won't be great friends with everyone at church. But it will help you get outside your PBF bubble to love and engage more people in face and online.
2. Don't See a Wedge Between In-Person and Online
Most people would believe that seeing someone in person is better than seeing them on a screen. I agree. But now that you may see someone at church a couple of times a month, don't neglect the other means of staying connected. People you may not be able to meet with for Bible study because of distance and schedules can be zoomed, Facetimed, or met over Google. Don't forsake the technological familiarity we gained. Let it be part of the new normal. When it comes to in-person or online, think both/and not either/or.
3. Share What You've Got
How are you growing? It doesn't have to be by leaps and bounds. In fact, it usually doesn't happen that way. But what Scripture have you have found helpful recently? What convicted you in last week's sermon? How were you encouraged by someone else? What idea or sentence jumped out at you as you read a good book this week? These simple movements of God in our life are the perfect things to share with others. They can help comfort, correct, and encourage God's people (1 These 5:14).
More than that, sometimes what we have is physical, not spiritual. Are you good at baking? Make an extra batch and drop it off at someone's else for an unexpected blessing! Have extra cash? Buy someone's gas or cover their grocery run for the staples they need. Good at technology? Help someone set up their new phone or tablet. Every good gift comes from the Father above (Jas 1:17), and these simple acts of service help show our love for one another and bind our hearts closer together (Acts 20:35).
Loved ones, let's not waste the gains made during the lock-down as it eases up. Instead, let us employ every tool for staying connected to one another that we might help build up one another into greater maturity in the faith!
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