Because of my work with INJOY Stewardship Solutions, I get the privilege of serving some of the greatest pastors in America. As as result, the following are 6 Trends I Am Seeing In Churches Across America During COVID-19:
No Matter How Good Virtual Services May Look, They Will NEVER Replace Live Services And Face-To-Face Interactions
I know – the church is not a building, it’s a people and movement. We need to be missional and a church scattered. I get it. However, let me point this out – when people meet online, start dating, and get married, they don’t maintain an online relationship. They move in together!!! This is because every happily married couple knows being together is better than being virtual.
Because of social distance and Sheltering In Place, necessity was the mother of invention. Many churches took live streaming and Zoom meetings to a completely new level. They are doing everything they know how to do and we are all grateful. However, as one pastor told me on Sunday, “I miss the flock.” So do I. I miss going to church. I miss face-to-face engagement with God’s people. I miss the energy of being in a live service. I miss the laying-on-off-hands and praying for someone. And here is the hard truth, watching my church’s service this past Sunday finally felt no different than watching Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, or any other well-known television evangelist. The relational connection was removed. The novelty had worn off. I miss church and I miss God’s people.
Giving Is All Over The Map
Some churches I speak with are seeing a 50% reduction in regular giving. Meanwhile, others are seeing higher levels of giving than this same time in 2019. The differences are healthy online giving practices (pre-coronavirus and during Sheltering In Place), intentional offering talks, effective mid-week communications, and the continued relational engagement of financial leaders. If you are still looking for a great online provider, I recommend GiveINJOY. Click HERE and they provide a rate sheet for you to compare services (BTW GiveINJOY offers the lowest rates) and a Free Demo page. I send all my people there. Finally, a word of warning – everyone is just trying to make it. As a result, the one thing no one is talking about is how will April’s unemployment spikes and pay-cuts affect May through July giving. A giving drought may be coming. Be prepared.
God Honors Movement
We have seen several churches in the midst of capital campaigns continue with their leadership commitment events and congregational commitments. Even though these were conducted virtually, the compelling need the churches faced and their people’s attachment to its mission and vision remained strong. Not surprisingly, the financial results of these churches has been miraculous!!! You and I should not be surprised. It is a biblical fact God honors movement. If your church had a pre-coronavirus need in any raising capital or any other area of ministry, I cannot recommend enough you find a way to continue moving forward. People need hope right now and are attracted to a compelling vision of the future. They will join and support your church’s efforts.
The Best Is Yet To Come
Whenever gatherings are allowed to take place again, there seems to be a universal consensus people will come back to churches in record numbers. I agree. There is a hunger for face-to-face community. We miss our friends. Also, non-churched individuals will realize that with all the uncertainty in the world, there has to be something better to place their hope and security in. After all, our lives cannot be so unstable that we are shaken to our core by toilet paper. The world needs something more solid, something more sure, and they will go to their local churches searching for answers.
Churches Will Get Bigger Because They Got Smaller
I am hearing of countless churches who staffs, deacons, elders and other leaders are calling every member of their church. Virtual services are not enough. Churches knew every member needed to cared for. Many pastors became true pastors again, shepherds rather than CEOs, and the results have been extraordinary. This increased, high-touch approach is changing lives and will result in significant increases in live attendance when gatherings begin again.
Where Are The Prophets Preaching On Brokenness, Sin, Repentance, Submission And Judgement?
The world does not need communicators right now. We need preachers and prophets delivering a message from the God of the Ages on what this all means. Please read the following passages:
- Amos 3:6 – “Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” If that is not enough, here are more…
- Deuteronomy 32:34
- Isaiah 14:24, 27
- Isaiah 25:1
- Isaiah 44:1-3, 6-8
- Isaiah 45:5-7
- Isaiah 46:8-11
- Job 37:10-16
- Ezekiel 14:12-23
- Psalm 103:19
- Daniel 4:34-35
- Jeremiah 32:17
The Joshua Fund recently published “What Does The Bible Teach About Pestilence, Plagues & Global Pandemics?”, a 12-page fact sheet derived from insight from a number of senior pastors, theologians and seminary professors.
Many will disagree but as you read these verses and the findings from The Joshua Fund, you realize God is bringing our world to its knees. It appears He is also going to have us there for an undetermined period of time, and thus, make us realize our complete reliance on Him. God still brings judgement but also always offers hope and forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Our hope is not in doctors, politicians, vaccines, isolation, or some great idea. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 reminds us, “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
In light of those two verses, we need hope. But we also need humility and to be forgiven of our sins. Not enough pastors are preaching on the need for brokenness over our personal and national sin and subsequent need for repentance. If you as a pastor are not preaching this as part of your message, then you must ask yourself if you are truly helping your people right now.
I hope this changes… soon.
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