Post-Pandemic Reflections

Will We Ever Recover?

It’s been five years since COVID-19 reshaped our world impacting global health and profoundly altering the religious and spiritual landscape. Church routines have transformed, prompting us to question if “normal” will ever return. This significant shift in church-based ministry warrants a closer examination of its long-term effects on our spiritual lives and communities. Let’s explore these changes together.

How Has the  Religious and Social Landscape Changed ?

In the foreword to “The Resilient Pastor,” David Kinnaman and the Barna Group researched the continuing effects of recent disruptions. Their conclusion: “The disruptions we experienced during and after the pandemic continue to affect the religious and social landscape.”

He starkly predicted, “For pastors, ‘ministry as usual’ is unlikely to return.”

The pandemic let believers experience what non-churchgoers often do: life without church. It made me consider changing our church’s motto from ‘Gather, Grow, Go’ if this lasts much longer.

Church attendance did not rebound 

When permitted, gatherings faced stringent restrictions such as mandatory social distancing and bans on handshakes, hugs, huddles, and even elbow bumps.

Initially, only 25% capacity was allowed, and attendees had to maintain six feet of distance from each other.

If you had the courage to be part of the 25 percent club, you would need to navigate through a labyrinth of hand sanitizer dispensers.

We need you!

“Critical mass,” once key to our gatherings, is gone. People now deem attendance less important. The image of BB’s in a box car comes to mind. A group feels notably more vibrant when it reaches at least 80% of its capacity. Is reaching this capacity essential for success and continuation?

It appears that numbers no longer hold the significance they once did, despite the fact that in the Book of Acts, there are at least two instances where someone tallied the number of new converts.

Church is essential!

Some members may have felt unnecessary. They  never returned. The all-clear sounded. They failed to realize how essential they were.

Subtly, perhaps without realizing it, Americans have shown what they truly value: earthly life over eternal life, the temporal over the timeless.

What truly matters?

The most resilient  pastors have clung to the promise of Jesus that His presence accompanies even the smallest gatherings—in His name—where at least one attendee joins the preacher (Matthew 18:20).

Many preachers agree that speaking to a small crowd in a large space can be disheartening for both the speaker and the few attendees.

Where Did I Turn in Months of Indefinite Uncertainty?

God’s Word sustains the faithful       

 During the pandemic, I found great solace in the Psalms. I then sought guidance from the Lord, asking where in His Word I should find refuge. In other words, I asked Him where to anchor my soul.

He directed me to the Major Prophets and specifically to the Book of Isaiah. However, the comfort I initially felt soon turned into discomfort. The visions described by Isaiah frequently reflected the painful realities we were  facing.

Comfort gives way

to discomfort

Churches closed, spiritual passion diminished, and the faithful appeared disconnected, with a notable decline in

enthusiasm for the Great Commission.

Isaiah describes this state as if the city of David, Ariel, “staggered but not from liquor.” It’s a poignant metaphor for today’s spiritual drift.

Can Spirit-driven passion re-ignite?

Let us awaken each day fully nourished, eager to share life’s spiritual essence with all seekers.(Isaiah 29:11-12).

Although words are spoken, they lack the vital, Spirit-driven passion needed to bring them to life.

As a result, our spiritual gatherings risk becoming shallow. We might appear lively, but spiritually, we’re “dead.” This poses a stark question: Are we truly living our faith, or are we now merely the “spiritual zombies” the Risen Christ saw when He visited the church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-2)?

A famine of God’s Word ensued

Not a famine of bread or water, but of hearing God’s Word (Amos 8:11). Our worship has grown routine, hindering deep engagement with Scripture.

This unintentionally fostered disdain and disparagement towards the inspiration of the Bible. Even more concerning, it altered the intended meaning of the Scriptures to suit current cultural demands.

In conclusion, despite significant changes in the religious and cultural landscape, resilient believers must continue to hold onto hope.

Hope has its reasons

Yet, despite the challenges, there remains a steadfast glimmer of hope.  Jeremiah 29:13 promises that those earnest in seeking God will find Him.

In light of our current challenges, this moment beckons us to ignite our spiritual passion and seek the profound nourishment that only our Lord can provide. I pray for a spiritual revival—a call to each of us to emerge from complacency and rediscover the joy inherent in truly understanding and living out God’s Word. My heart yearns for purity and a renewed zeal for righteousness.

Reflecting on Isaiah 29 has been challenging yet hopeful, highlighting how deep and accessible divine wisdom is when we are ready to embrace it. Let us open our hearts to the divine Spirit, positioning ourselves to truly hear, see, and understand.

I challenge you to awaken each day nourished and eager to share life’s spiritual essence with all seekers. Our mission is to live out our faith vibrantly and spread its transformative power globally.