5 Things I Learned From 18 Months Of Church In A Pandemic

Church will never be the same again. The last year and a half has taught us much. The first case of COVID-19 came into Jamaica in March 2020. And from then until now, we’ve seen a rapid shift in how many people think about life, God and culture.

Are Christians simply supposed to melt into the apathy and druggery of the times? Or are we expected to become the light that shines brightest in the darkness? I’m hoping that it’s the latter (Matthew 5:14-16).

The times may be difficult but God is surely doing something we may not be able to see (physically).

Here’s what I thought about in terms of what the church community represented in the last few months.

Your life is being formed by Jesus through challenges

God has a plan! Even in the seasons that seem horrid and overwhelming.

My first official sermon at my local congregation was on November 10, 2019. The first module of my eldership training went through a pause in 2020 and then a restart in 2021 because of the pandemic.

I’ve streamed worship sessions, bible studies, and fellowships. And there have been meetings online for elders training, candidates class and anything you can consider for normal church activities.

I found it fascinating that I would not have been as effective as I was if I had not learned so much about digital marketing years before. Now in a time of upheaval, my skills and the resolve of many I knew who were very professional were being called on. And somehow I could see my and many others’ lives becoming what God intended.

Online methods of church meetings will bring Jesus to nations

The Church took on a life driven by more faith. We were supposed to know that trials would come. However due to the mere movement of “normal” times we overlooked this.

And in the process many started to think more about what purpose in Christ really represented. At least I did!

Meetings, worship experiences, music sessions, fellowships, and bible studies all got changed from physical locations to virtual ones.

In my experience, because of the availability of devices and the internet there was an increase in viewership and engagement. Some people for example mentioned they were able to not miss as many meetings they would have traveled to church for. In fact, persons from church who were overseas were now able to tune into worship.

However, the truth is that online engagements allow people even outside your normal church group to be impacted. Think about the fact that you have a truth that everyone needs to know and believe and realize that your Great Commission is possible (Matthew 28:18-20)..

If you haven’t looked into this as yet, think strategically about the region you are in locally and how virtual methods can engage more people there. Then become more expansive and view your nation and even continental zone as a way to reach others for Christ.

There is power in community

When we were told to always remember to commune together and fellowship, we sometimes took it for granted. Now we had to ensure that we did for emotional stability and spiritual growth.

This was not business as usual.

This was here today and could be gone tomorrow.

This was, how do I survive if my job and source of income is lost or reduced?

This was, are my kids even learning anything at school?

This was, I can’t take any more of this lonely at-home all-the-time feeling.

And the power of unity in diversity became more obvious. One person leaning on others can make it out a little better.

“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (KJV).

A community of faith was built to ensure the things we do in life become more manageable working together.

As the old adage goes one (1) person when strong in the Lord can subdue a thousand (1,000), but two (2) people can take on ten thousand (10,000). Your force is multiplied with combined and unified vision (Deuteronomy 32:30; Psalm 91:7; Joshua 23:10).



Young people need to know the real God

I could see ministries created and forming with a lot of young people. When you hit the latter high school years and then start to try to understand life and your role in it, you need community and mentorship. I’ve been there.

I could see how damaging COVID-19’s not so talked about effects were becoming for those who were just finding their way in life.

And the real Jesus was just starting to be revealed to them.

Not this watered down version some were selling. The one who always has a nice cushy feeling, heals everything, gives you everything, with a life-should-be-easy kinda vibe.

Many learned that there will be pain, hurt, illness, loneliness, even abuse and death. The difference is in knowing that God is with you despite that.

Many had to realize the problem of sin in the world, the need for forgiveness, and the ways to overcome injustice, dread and grief.


Nothing substitutes your own worship experience

Of course, community and its effect are great, but what about your own personal spaces?

I realized that I was only as fruitful and productive in the spaces where I had to assist others or lead when I started from a good foundation.

My day had to start organized and stay grounded in God. If I did not pray and study my bible regularly then I would not keep calm and even know how to operate. If I didn’t do some introspection and ask God for guidance, how could I even serve others, lead a bible study or deliver a sermon?

Your faith starts from listening to God. Could it be that you haven’t heard from Him because you haven’t tried to listen?

Worship is a tool to know God and then know yourself.

In those lonely, quiet times of lockdown, try to use it to find out what God has always been saying but you were too busy to hear.

The coronavirus may be here and wrecking havoc but let’s continue to see how God is teaching and leading us in this season.