Preparing the Church for a Post-Pandemic World.

When we are considering the post-pandemic world, our first consideration is to follow the leading of God. So, each of the following suggestions should be considered in light of the leading of the Holy Spirit. Let us follow the Lord Jesus Christ into whatever He is doing, for He is always doing the Father’s work. He is still present and at work.

The five areas I am prayerfully contemplating are - Perspective, Position (posture), Plan, Prepare, and Projects (Source – Henry Mintzberg, management theorist, HBR). The circumstances of the pandemic caught most of the global and local Church off guard. It indeed found me that way. It informs us that as the church, we get comfortable with our ways, too comfortable. In some ways, it is an Acts moment for the church. Moving us into areas and technologies, we have been slow to adapt. The five areas are expressed here in question form.

How will your perspective of church culture and identity change?

Perspective means the lenses we view the world through and ourselves. As a result of the pandemic in all likelihood, our culture and identity will change. Crisis’ are known to bring people together and expedite a collective spirit of endurance. Yet, this can also push people apart, with individuals distrusting one another and mostly looking after themselves. We must consider how our perspective may evolve. How prepared were we as a church culturally to deal with the pandemic/crisis? Will the ongoing circumstances bring our people together or drive them apart? Will we see the church differently when this is the crisis is over? Our answer will inform what we can achieve as the pandemic subsides.

What position/posture can your church reach during and after the pandemic?

Now is an opportunity for us to make smart strategic decisions, first, we must understand our churches position/posture in our environment. Who is our church in our environment/community? What role does it play in your ecosystem? We must also understand where we are heading. Are we able to shut down our operations and reopen unchanged after the pandemic? Will we have lost ground and need to regain it? Will we emerge and be recognized as a leading force in our communities fueled by the developments during the lockdown?

Right now, I hear many churches that are questioning their viability post-pandemic. Some churches have been able to accelerate their growth because of their values and were early technology adaptors. They were ready for this new environment. They invested in internet-enabled communications and relationship tools and had in place care and connection teams. Their online presence was already established, allowing them to differ and have a higher level of resilience. We should take appropriate steps now to map out our probable posture when the pandemic lessens.

What is your plan for bouncing back?

Yes, we need a plan to bounce back! Of course, we know a plan is a course of action to direct us to the posture/position we hope to attain. It should expound what we need to do today to achieve our objectives in the short and long term. Within our current context, we have to ask, what must we do to get through the crisis and go forward with meeting as the church once the crisis ends?

If we fail to plan, it will only exacerbate the disorientation already in a complex environment.  So, when we begin to develop the steps we intend to take, we need to think broadly and deeply with a long view of the future.

How are you preparing to create and execute your plans and projects?

Preparedness, it is critical we assess our churches in this area. Are we ready and able to implement and accomplish the plan and projects we’ve outlined? Everything has shifted to online or remote, so how do we continue to use the internet. Preparedness needs attention at the individual, team, and congregational levels. There are a more significant number of resources in use that have been available but not previously engaged.

Creating a worksheet around these five strategic questions can help plot our current and future moves. Being aware that congregants/parishioners will remember how we reacted during this crisis. For example, how we exercised compassion, caring, and generosity during a time of shortage could have a significant effect on our relationships going forward.

What new projects do you need to launch, run, and coordinate?

Once we have answered the questions above and created your worksheet, it should point to a set of projects for tackling your coronavirus related problems. Remembering a challenge is an opportunity we need to prioritize and coordinate whatever initiatives that will establish our future capabilities. Of course, be aware that starting numerous projects that all depend on the same essential resources. Resources such as individuals, internet technology, video equipment, space in the facilities, and finances must be considered, for example. Engaging too many initiatives creates debilitating conflict for resources that might delay or sabotage our responses, plans, and projects.

This crisis has unprecedented impacts. Some are still saying the worst is yet to come, while others are saying the worst is over and we should reopen. Confusion abounds as these competing voices are calling for our allegiance. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have one voice to tune our ears and hearts to hear His. Churches should act today with responsibility, love, compassion, and generosity if we are to bounce back and gain ground now and in the future. If we do this, it will help our communities, states, nation, and the world recover and, in the process, become more resilient for the Kingdom of God