How do we do what we are called to do?

 It's been a while since I've written anything for the blog because, you know, Covid. So it's good to be back. I hope you have found these blog posts to be helpful. Sarah and I plan to continue them, just not quite as often as before. Like, instead of several times a week, we may only post once a week. We will continue doing them, however. Which brings me to what I want to write about today.

From everything I've read online and seen on the news, it appears that there may be a vaccine for the coronavirus by the end of this year or early next year. It also appears that it will require two doses over two months and that the population will be split into four groups who will receive the vaccine in four phases over many, many months. So it appears that for those who want it, broad distribution of a vaccine will not take place until the middle of next year. And it also appears there are many people who do not want to be vaccinated, either because they are against vaccines in general (which I don't understand) or because they don't want to take a vaccine that has been rushed to market without being rigorously and properly tested (which I totally understand). Finally, it appears that even after everyone who wants to be vaccinated has been, there will be some amount of time before the virus begins to dissipate enough that we can begin thinking of it more like the flu.

The upshot of all of this? The coronavirus is going to be with us for quite a while. For the foreseeable future we will still need to wear masks, sanitize and wash our hands regularly, maintain physical distance from others, take extra cleaning precautions, and be careful of gathering in large crowds.

So what does this mean for ministry? Well, obviously things are going to look different for a while. So I think we need to switch our mindset. It seems that in most congregations and for most people, everyone is just sort of waiting around for when things can "get back to normal." Our focus is on all the things we can't do: We can't have in-person worship, we can't have Wednesday night dinners, we can't have Bible study, we can't do FISH, we can't have youth group, etc.

Rather than thinking about what we can't do, I think it's time to start thinking about what we CAN do! How can we do the mission and ministry of the Church, the mission and ministry Christ calls us to, within the parameters of a global pandemic? I mean - it's going to be a while before things get back to normal. What about in the meanwhile? Ministry still needs to be done. People still need to be fed, loved, served, cared for, lifted up, nourished, nurtured, and feel the love of God in Christ Jesus. How do we do that within the framework of not touching, physically distancing, and not gathering indoors in large groups?

Just so you know - I don't have the answer. However, I believe YOU DO!!! I believe that God puts his answer in his people. This is the time for us to get creative - to find ways to minister to one another and serve others. This is the time for us to find new ways to show the love of Christ. This is the time for us to find new ways of being God's people, new ways of being the church in and for the world.

I challenge you to stop thinking about what we can't do and to start thinking about what we can do! How do we do what we are called to do right now? YOU have the answer! I look forward to seeing what it is!