GREAT LESSONS FOR CHURCHES BEYOND PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN

Churches post covid-10

 A webinar will hosted by the Christian Leadership Institute of Management Development [CLIMD], Lagos on Sunday May 17, 2020 by 4pm on Zoom Video Conferencing. Please join with meeting ID 958 595 9186 to connect with us.

Smart Church Solutions, our partner has developed a guide to help church leaders consider how they can effectively and intentionally resume a limited live meeting and worship experience while still adhering to the ever-changing recommendations.

Although, many of these choices are more difficult in some cases, but they are worth given the needed consideration before resumption of ‘’brick and mortar ‘’operations even to a limited extent.

Whether you personally agree with some of the suggestions and restrictions on large group gatherings (that vary from state to state) we encourage you to take the lead in adhering to public gathering safety guidelines. To intentionally disregard suggested measures is not prudent nor is it a good witness of our Lord Jesus Christ especially when we are all fighting a common enemy of humanity.

SMC stated that the list is NOT exhaustive and must be considered at the local church level whether there is a fit, as lack of fit rendered it null for use. Please be wise and prudent as you navigate these highly unique times.

First, I will like to mention briefly the new norms that the contagion has constrained upon us, and might have to remain as way of life after this pandemic for the church. They include the following:

1. Church leaders must now think creatively and become innovative to get the best done for the church. Situation we are entering into require such out of box thinking to solve problem and move the church into God’s purpose.
2. Many churches cared for their members through calling, texting and giving of palliatives – this should continue for the love of Christ.
3. Several pastors and ministers and church members found quality time to spend with their families during the lockdown. This should be encouraged to continue as family bonding is essential for church development and growth.
4. Pastors and church leaders were tasked to look beyond the present into the future and prepare for it. Many had a glimpse of the future by becoming visionary, and this help them to prepare for it. I think these gained insight and skills should continuously be deployed in the new normal as more of visioning and envisioning would be required moving forward.
5. Many church leaders were computer immigrants, and had to resort to help from the vibrant and young students who are computer natives to assists in placing the church services and activities online and get connected with members far, wide and near. I think this should be consolidated and expanded in the new world.
6. Many local leaders were thrown up as several became filled-in pastors in their homes, and people were still blessed. We believe that this should continue so that the leadership development programmes of the church is buoyed and enhanced on the long run
7. Many churches were forced to conduct services online which many counted as abomination as they are used to ‘’brick and mortar’’ event in the full house. Filtering information confirmed that many lives were still blessed while the work of the gospel wasn’t hindered.
8. Our services online were straightforward, pinpointed and business-like without all the time wasting devices and gimmickries that the normal gathering entails. We are of the opinion that this should continue when the church doors open, so that people can be given time to build relationship family members as a fallout from the lockdown
9. Some churches had small group online services for group prayers, chain prayers and bible study which created bonding and threw up new leadership, thus contributing to the system of developing leaders in the new normal.
10. Many churches resorted to online giving, and information reaching us suggest that it worked and people responded. In the post pandemic world, the church should incorporate this into the church worship service as currency notes are speculated to have capacity to transmit the virus from person to person – This is still subject to ongoing research, but we cannot be too cautious when it comes to this unseen Coronavirus!
11. Some churches reached out to their communities with palliatives to help relief the burden of the lockdown which has affected the work and disposable income of the people. With churches located within 5minutes walking distance in most communities, one wonders why we still were hearing of people suffering from deprivation and hunger. We posit that churches should key in into this reality of positively affecting their locale especially in times of crisis as this remain an opportunity to reach the soul/spirit of people with the gospel of Christ.
12. We heard of a church where well-to-do members contributed money and purchased food stuffs and groceries for members than couldn’t afford much. This is a good move, that should continue on regular basis, while the church looks into how they can empower such members to become weaned from handouts or palliatives.
13. There was also the news that some group of churches – irrespective of denominations – in a local environment came together to launch Pandemic Common Front Initiative [PCFI] – where they combine efforts [labour, resources and thought process etc.] to reach their communities with needed support and bring the love of Christ to the doorsteps of the people. What a laudable and commendable efforts, that should continue after this pandemic as the church of God in our nation has been fragmented too much on the altar of self-aggrandizement of our leaders!

WEBINAR ON “HOW CHURCHES CAN PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR POST COVID 19 CHURCH SERVICES”

The above represent a part of the preparation that the church need to embark upon to implement and continue to implement post pandemic as things may not return to pre 2019 days again! Moving forward, what are the preparation the church requires to make, what sacrifices the church need to put in place to ensure safety of worshippers as we brace up for easing the lockdown on churches in the coming weeks?

These preparations and other issues that Church leaders need to make and give consideration for worship service to commence will be extensively discussed in a webinar hosted by the Christian Leadership Institute of Management Development [CLIMD], Lagos on Sunday May 17, 2020 by 4pm on Zoom Video Conferencing. Please join with meeting ID 958 595 9186 to connect with us.

Beloved, let us note that this difficult time for the church will pass, but it presents us with great opportunity to do things better both for the safety of our congregation, in support of ending the scourge of this virus while building a world that is pleasant to live in.

Dr. Oyewole Sarumi