What Positives Can Come From the Coronavirus

As the old adage goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Or as the Scriptures promise, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28).

The coronavirus pandemic is a horrible thing that has claimed more than 200,000 lives worldwide and has turned the world upside down. I do not make light of these tragic times. However, as people of faith, I think we should look for God’s “silver linings” during these dark cloud days.

Here are a few possible positives for your church during this pandemic:

1. Returning to church after prolonged isolation may kick off a time of enthusiasm and revival at your church.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” When your church finally reopens, your members will be so excited to be back together again in church and to escape their social isolation. Right now your people are realizing just how much they love their church, their pastor, and their fellow members. The Lord can use enthusiasm like that to spark revival in a church.

2. This forced furlough is an opportunity for church leaders to learn new tools and develop new strategies.

Pastors tend to burn their candles at both ends: writing sermons and lessons, hospital visits, counseling, managing the many departments, projects and activities of a healthy church, benevolence requests, dealing with disgruntled people, handling church problems, overseeing staff. It can seem all but impossible to learn new things and develop new strategies when you are busy putting out fires all day long. During these stay-at-home days, many of the pastor’s traditional tasks have been greatly

curtailed. That has opened up time for pastors and church leaders to pray and think about developing new ways to reach the lost and address the needs of your church and community.

3. Pastors and churches are learning new technologies.

Pastors often complain that their churches are steeped in tradition and unwilling to embrace change. The fact is that many pastors are also stuck in a rut about how churches should operate. This time of social isolation has forced us to learn new ways to stay in contact with our people and to feed the sheep. Many of these new ways of doing things will continue to be valuable even after the pandemic is over and your church has reopened.

4. Church members will be more inclined to accept change.

After all, this pandemic has changed everything! When our members can finally return to church, we believe the excitement will be so strong that people will be more willing to abandon power struggles and go along with leaders’ ideas. God can use this time to prepare your church to finally start moving forward, embracing the idea that God wants to do something new and fresh in your church and community.

5. This is a great opportunity for the church to become more outwardly focused.

Churches may be able to resume their worship services soon, but it will take a long time for our communities to recover from what we have been going through. People have been hit with sickness, hospitalizations, the loss of loved ones, and the loss of jobs and homes. People are disillusioned about the future, looking for answers, and needing eternal security. Now is the time for the church to shine for those in the community who are hurting or in need.

6. Pastors are finding a renewed enthusiasm for the ministry and their calling.

Pastors have told me that during this pandemic they have gained a renewed sense purpose through prayer, Bible study and meditation. Many pastors are spending this time evaluating their ministry, their calling,goals, and vision. 

7. In times of tragedy or peril, most people have softened their hearts their beliefs towards the things of God. 

This is a great Harvest opportunity!  There is an old wartime expression, “There are no atheists in the foxholes.” In many ways we

have had to adopt a wartime mentality to fight this virus, and that has driven us into the arms of God.  We believe people will embrace the things of God than ever before!  Opportunities are present.  Please do not allow opportunities to be wasted! 

Most of us are creatures of habit. We do the same things over and over again, seldom making time for self-evaluation to hear from God on what He desires for us. This is a time of great opportunity and great harvest.

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Transitioning Back to In-Person Church Services

In the coming weeks, pastors and church leaders will have to make difficult decisions about when and how to reopen their churches for in-person church services. Here are some thoughts to consider.

1. It is up to the Lord. Church leaders must make decisions based on what God wants and what is best for your congregation. The final decision for your church is not up to the president, the governor or the mayor, and it is not even up to you and your church family. It is up to the Lord!  So seek His will for your church.

2. Don’t be in a rush. An additional week or two of delay will not cause any church fallout. You must chart a course that is best for the health and well-being of all your members. You must also be careful to not make decisions that end up hurting your church’s witness in the community.

3. Continue practicing social distancing. The last thing we want is for this virus to begin spreading quickly again, which will force all of us, including our churches, back into another period of isolation. We must be vigilant about making sure our church services do not contribute to community spread.

4. Ushers passing out information. One way to make sure members and guests know what is expected is for ushers to distribute flyers at the door about distancing and respecting others.

5. Have hand sanitizers at the door. We don’t want someone coming into the service to bring the virus along with them. You can reduce that possibility by having hand sanitizer dispensers handy at the doors of the church.

6. Some but not all. The decision to resume in-person worship services does not necessarily mean it is the right time to resume Sunday School, children’s ministry, youth ministry, etc. Businesses will be reopening gradually; churches would be wise to do the same.

7. Be understanding. Many of your members will not return to church immediately. The new federal and state guidelines continue to warn senior citizens and those with serious health conditions to remain at home for the time being. Be understanding of your people; do not make anyone feel guilty for choosing to stay at home.

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