How can we deepen relational connections with the church

C H U R C H RESPONDS THE CHURCH

The past several weeks have upended everything that has been comfortable for the church. Worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism, and service have all been impacted in some way. The COVID-19 Virus that has spread across our nation and the social distancing guidelines that have been enacted, have caused our churches to make major adjustments in order to continue the work that God has called us to do.

I would be the first to admit that I am most comfortable with the structure we have been accustomed to, when it comes to the operation of the church. However, in the midst of the crisis we are facing, I have had to come to grips with some new and challenging realities in my own life and ministry. I know many of us have!

During this challenging time, I have been inspired by many of

our churches and pastors who have responded in innovative and

creative ways! In fact, many of our pastors are finding that there is not only new opportunities to minister to their community, but are accomplishing things they never thought they could before! Online platforms have become the norm for many churches who were unable to accomplish this transition in the past.

Our churches are providing a location to distribute school meals, delivering masks to first responders, post office, banks, gas stations, and doctors’ offices. Pastors are delivering daily devotions, fireside chats, and messages of encouragement and hope on social media. Church members are doing family devotions and worshipping together in their own homes! As well as checking on one another and meeting needs as they arise!

In the Acts 2 Journey I have taught that the first thing necessary for churches to experience revitalization is to be faced with a moment of crisis. Why? Because when churches are confronted with a crisis or pressing need, they tend to respond with an openness like never

before. They begin to creatively look for opportunities to show the love of Jesus to the community they are in and make changes necessary to do so.

This virus has pushed the Church beyond our context of which we are most comfortable and the Church has responded in a powerful way. Even the smallest churches are not only making relevant impacts in their community, but have found they are reaching more people than ever before with the Gospel!

C H A D B R O D R I C K

CHURCH MINISTRIES CHAD.BRODRICK@OKAG.ORG

These churches are fulfilling a desperate need of a disconnected world by going where the lost are and developing new relationships that are having eternal impacts!

What is exciting is that a fearful world is looking to the Church for our response. Churches have been contacted by newspapers, radio/ tv stations, and community leaders to report on or carry services and to promote outreaches. It seems that the overwhelming majority of news is positive concerning the church’s response! We must be a good steward of the opportunities that God has given us in this moment to be Jesus to our community and beyond!

After Easter, I received a testimony from Pastor Bryan Forman who pastors in the small community of Konowa. One of the elder members of the church was watching the message on Facebook, when they found the share button. Thinking they would share it so someone in Konowa could hear the message, they pressed the button. Soon, a notification came up that their Granddaughter who is not serving the Lord was watching the service. The member is quoted as saying, “I couldn’t believe I was seeing her name...I

thought Lord, for someone who has never heard the Gospel, what

a great time to hear it.” They continued by saying, “Can’t help but believe that God preordained the message and for (granddaughter) to hear the gospel for the first time!”

These testimonies are happening throughout our fellowship and it is exciting! The gospel is reaching places and people that we have not been able to reach before!

We know that the virus will be defeated and we will be released from social distancing, so we must develop a plan moving forward. Here are some questions that we must consider.

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5. How can we encourage families to continue worship, prayer, and discipleship in their homes? How can we deepen relational connections with the church and community? How can we develop and diversify the leadership base of the local church? What changes do we need to make to our budget to provide in difficult times? How do we continue to find opportunities for outreach? Especially to the most vulnerable in our communities.

For more photos, please visit www.okag.org/covid19

Blessings!

Chad and Nyree