New Questions

Dear Pastors

I think we all agree that the future will be different to the past. I think we all agree that we won’t be going back to normal as it was but rather moving forward into a ‘new normal’. And further I think we all agree that COVID19 has given us a real (as opposed to an imagined) BC/AC moment, meaning, ‘Before COVID19/After COVID19.

That being true there a whole bunch of new questions that Pastors are starting to ask about how local church ministry might look in our new normal. So today I simply want to list some of the bigger questions if you like, the more pressing ones. So here goes:-

1. Now that most churches in NZ have an online presence will that mean that an online presence is here to stay and part of the suite of ministries most local churches will have on offer?
2. If so, how will I get engagement that leads to discipleship as opposed to ‘clicks and views’? Otherwise known as tyre kickers.
3. What content (messages, talks, sermons, Bible Studies etc) are Christians needing right now? What are their ‘felt’ needs?
4. What is God saying to you in your local church and what is He saying to the entire Church in NZ? Where are the ‘men and women of Issachar’?
5. If there is going to be an overall cash restriction for the next 12 months due to NZ’s worst Recession in 100 years, what must we do NOW to ensure we thrive in the new normal and not just survive or worst still are forced to close our doors?
6. How will our Children’s and Youth Ministries look going forward?
7. Could it be that not-yet-christian people in NZ will be more open to the Gospel as a result of the Virus? And if so how will you in your local context ‘connect’ with these folks so that you will be given permission to share this Good News? Is this a Kairos moment for the Gospel?
8. If it isn’t ‘business as usual’ then what is our new business?
9. And many more questions but this is enough for today.

Briefings

As many of you know I have been hosting a range of briefings over the last 3 weeks with the primary purpose to offer assistance to Pastors, Leaders, Administrators, Treasurers and Elders as we head into our ‘new normal’. A Briefing is a one hour Zoom session with around 8-15 people in the room discussing a relevant issue. It always starts with a 20 minute talk/briefing by an expert or ministry specialist (sometimes from overseas) followed by Q and A and conversation. To date they have been on Financial Planning x2, Employment Law, Online Church, Children’s Ministry. I am now preparing a schedule for a second round.

Coming up will be pastoral care for those who have lost their jobs, Financial Planning (again), Employment Law (again), Governing in the New Normal, HR, Children’s ministry, Youth Ministry, Online Ministry (again), Ministry in an age of Anxiety and Fear and the ‘Shape of Things To Come’. I am also planning to invite folks with a prophetic gift to share their thoughts in a few weeks’ time.

If you would like to be on an email list that advertises these events then please let me know by replying to this email.

Blessings

Alan

Alan Vink is currently the Executive Director for LeadershipWorx. Prior to this role he has been the Executive Director of Willow Creek Association NZ (WillowNZ), a Baptist pastor (23 years), Bible College teacher, and church consultant.