While many churches have now reopened for onsite worship services, others have not. Even those who have opened have noticed fewer people sitting in the pews. There are still many people fearful of getting out in public. As I have talked with numerous folks I have learned that many of them are ordering their groceries and picking them up outside the store or having family members drop them off on their front porches. Others have told me they have not eaten in a restaurant since this all started. Some visit with families through the windows in their homes or ask family members to maintain distance inside the house. These folks are not going to return to church services until they feel it is absolutely safe to do so. It is imperative that church leaders do whatever it takes to check on them from time to time so they do not feel abandoned by the church.
When churches were first shut down, many began providing their services through social media or their website. The church I am serving offers a live service on Facebook and then downloads the service on their website so people can view it at a more convenient time. As I have called some of our members who do not currently attend the services I find that the majority of them are watching online. Every one of them have told me how meaningful it is to still be able to worship with their congregation even though they can't be there. If you offered your services online I hope you will continue to do so after you open the church up for live worship services. If you did not do anything online, I encourage you to begin doing so. It's not expensive nor is it difficult, and those members of your congregation who are concerned about getting out in public will appreciate the opportunity to share in the worship experience.
Years ago while serving as a judicatory minister I noticed a trend among many younger pastors who were unwilling to do any form of visitation. I first learned about it from some pastor search committees I was assisting in finding a new pastor. A number of them called saying the candidates they were interviewing were telling them that they did not see visitation as part of pastoral ministry.
I admit to being old school, but I don't see how as pastor can effectively lead a church if he or she is not involved in the life of the members of the church, and that involvement includes making visits and maintaining regular contact with the members. This is especially true in the smaller churches. I agree that lay leaders need to be equipped to make these visits as well, and in larger churches they may handle many such visits, but the pastor cannot neglect providing pastoral care to the members either.
This is especially true during times such as we are in now. People are fearful, they are worried, many are lonely as they are reluctant to leave their homes. They need regular contact. They need to know the church continues to be there for them and to care for them. While they need to hear that from many people in the church, they certainly need to hear it from their pastor.
While home and hospital visits may not be an option right now, telephone calls will be welcomed. It takes very little time to make 3-5 calls a day, and they can make a big difference in the life of the ones you called. Stay in touch with the members of your congregation. They will appreciate it.
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