Unchanging

So much in life and ministry has changed with the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.  A preacher of long ago reminded us that “there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)   This preacher identified many of our currents realities.   For too many this is a time to die and a time to weep.  There is a time for togetherness and there is a time to remain apart. For all of us this is now a time to refrain from embracing.  It is also a time for us to love.    Such is the time of our lives these days.   This has meant major adjustments for individuals, families, and churches.  This is a difficult season for everyone in Christian ministry.  Our ministers and churches needed to step up in the face of change.  Innovative ways have been developed to keep Sunday services happening, to exercise pastoral care for people, and to seize new opportunities to show the love of God to so many in need.  

In these changing times, what a wonderful truth it is to know that “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)   The God of the Bible is unchanging!   This truth is stated most emphatically by the prophet Malachi:   "I the LORD do not change." (Malachi 3:6)  Or echoed in book of James:  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)   In spite of all the change around us today, God remains unchanging!   He will not leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).   In all things, including the COVID-19 pandemic, God "will work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  "[God's] kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and [his] dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made."  (Psalm 145:13)  Yes, God is true to this promises.   He will never fail us.  Our God is unchanging!

In the midst of all the change around us, there are key aspects of who we are as Christians and churches that need to remain unchanging.  As churches we realise that if we are ever going to reach the lost for Christ in Australia and the world we need to focus on making disciples of Jesus.   This is foundational to our mission and calling as churches. (See Matthew 28:19-20)   Because of isolation restrictions, we are not gathering together for public worship.  Our Sunday services are broadcast online or through other means.  But the end goal remains the same.   It is unchanging.  The end goal prior to COVID-19 was not how many people attended our services or were members of our churches.  The end goal was how many people were denying themselves, taking up their cross daily, and following Jesus. (Luke 9:23)   The outcome we want to see in our churches is people reaching "unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:13)   On the day we meet our maker in heaven, the question asked of us is not did we attend church?  The question asked of us is whether or not we have lived out the realities of the Kingdom of God in our lives on earth (See Matthew 25:31-46).   It is about surrendering everything to Jesus striving to please him in every we do.

COVID-19 has not changed that metric for our churches.   Just as prior to this pandemic our goal was not filling our church pews with people, so today our goal is not to see the number of views of our online services increase.   We don't just want people to watch our Sunday services but to grow ever more into being followers of Jesus.  This will require churches and church leaders to find ways to engage those who watch our Sunday services online.  This can be done by inviting feedback, asking questions, filling out a connect form, or simply check in on whatever platform you might be using (Facebook, YouTube, Sermon.net).  Follow up with everyone who has given you their connect info.  But also think beyond the Sunday to the rest of week.   Use social media to send out reminders, ask questions, and/or provide encouragement that flows out of the Sunday service(s).  Develop ways for people to gather online in small groups of 2 or more people where they can discuss sermons, ask questions, and/or pray with other other.  Always think about some next steps.  The key is movement.  The next step is much more than simply tune in next week to our services.  What is that people can do to live out the realities of the kingdom of God in the midst of this pandemic?  Knowing needs to move into doing as Jesus reminded his disciples in John 13:17.  Give people some next steps. 

Yes we live in changing times.   And we need to adjust to these changes.   But some things will never change.   Such as the end goal of Christian ministry:  making disciples.  This is the heartbeat of our churches yesterday, today, and forever.   Like God, it is unchanging!