COVID-19 caught the world by surprise and resulted in death and destruction globally. The closing of businesses, mandated quarantines and shortage of toilet paper wreaked havoc, created anxiety and increased depression. Like so many others, I have found myself occasionally on the roller coaster of emotions; until I embraced the perspective that God is still in control and “…all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Believing that God is completely in control, I have to tell you how excited I am about the opportunities COVID-19 is giving our church & school ministry. While some are discouraged, I am truly giddy over this God-given opportunity for enhancement and improvement. I see COVID-19 as an opportunity to hit the “reset” button across this ministry. God is giving us a blank canvas or clean slate by which to throw-off the old and embrace new ideas for effectively reaching and impacting people with the Gospel.
I often hear people say they want to “return to normal,” but let me remind you what pre-COVID “normal” looked like:
- In January 2018, Thom Rainer – CEO of LifeWay Resources stated – “Between 6,000 and 10,000 churches in the U.S. are dying each year. That means around 100-200 churches will close this week. The pace will accelerate unless our congregations make some dramatic changes.”
- In April 2019, Jeffrey M. Jones with Gallup reported that church membership in America has declined 20% since 1999.
- In Monroe, Dade & Broward counties, multiple Christian schools closed and enrollment was declining in many others.
Wanting to go back to that “normal” is like wanting to go back to the “good ol’ days” of no electricity; no indoor plumbing; a lack of education in the 1940’s; violence of the 1950’s; sex, drugs & rock-n-roll of the 1960’s; the energy crisis of the 1970’s; the recession of the 1980’s; and so on. It’s like the Israelites wanting to return to Egypt. Too often, we only remember the good things, the comfortable things and we forget the rest.
So, rather than looking backward, I want to ask you to join me in focusing on the future. Will you dream with me? Will you have the courage to launch out as Abram did, not knowing where he was going; but trusting God to lead him? Will you trust God’s plans for you as Jeremiah described them, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Will you pray the prayer of Jabez, asking God to “…bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory…”?
Returning to “normal” is merely going back to what is comfortable, to a place you have already been, and to things you have already done. I hope that you, like me, want to see God do something new and miraculous through Grace & Highlands in the days ahead.
I am inviting you to trust God and see if COVID-19 is the start of something fresh and new! Be encouraged by Isaiah 43:19 – “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Our senior staff is meeting weekly to evaluate and dream about the future of our church and school ministry. I will be meeting with Department Heads in the weeks ahead to hear the vision God is giving them regarding how to reach and minister to those He has placed in their care. All employees are invited to share ideas with me via email or come by and let’s discuss them. I also ask everyone to pray… pray… pray! We want to hear God’s heart and follow His leading. I am claiming the promise of Psalm 37:23 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…”
I am truly excited about the opportunities that this season of COVID-19 will present us moving forward… although I am also looking forward to the day it passes and we can enjoy whatever the “new normal" might be. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment