As we are all aware, the entirety of our gatherings (i.e. corporate worship, Sunday School, shepherding groups, kids and youth) were all forced into virtual modes for the entirety of the spring this year due to COVID-19. As we began looking at regathering, first for our services over the summer, and then for additional activities starting in the fall, we as the staff felt much uncertainty about whether or not we would be able to find enough folks to make these regathering attempts possible. In fact, there were many moments it looked as though it might not happen.
However, as I reflect back over these past four months, one of the most encouraging aspects is seeing how many have sacrificed to help us take first steps toward being back together. I think about Todd Hill and Rachel Waits, who are both key deacons for making Sunday mornings work. I think about all those who help with audio and visual elements of our service, as well as those who helped us learn this whole new thing called “livestreaming.” I think about Andy Paxton who helped with music for so many weeks and all the rest of those on our praise team who soon joined in. I think about Seaborn Gray, our deacon for events, who helped us pull off our first ever outdoor prayer service.
As we moved to the fall, I think about all of our shepherding group leaders and hosts, who were willing to get creative with spaces and locations in order to help groups happen. I think about Sunday School teachers and nursery workers who were willing to jump back in. I think about all the new volunteers who jumped in to work with our youth, particularly those who have helped launch our new middle school youth group. Perhaps the area that was most fun for me was seeing how many folks were willing to serve as Pioneer Club leaders for our kids, especially those for whom working with children would not necessarily be their first choice of doing ministry. Not to mention all of those who have not been able to regather yet, but have continued to pray and encourage and give and participate virtually.
For months now I’ve been reading all these “doomsday” articles about how church will never be the same and how churches are going to lose a bunch of people and how all pastors are ready to quit and on and on and on. I don’t know about all that, but what I do know is that what I have seen around Grace these past several weeks is a community of folks that love the Lord and love each other and have been willing to jump in to do the things we can do in a time of great uncertainty. And, in response, I simply say THANK YOU. Thank you, thank you, thank you. What a privilege to be able to serve such a wonderful group of brothers and sisters in Christ. You are a blessing Grace Church!
Ben
monthly resources
Below are some articles I’ve run across this past month that you may find helpful: