My Thoughts for 2022

Dear Pastors

My Thoughts for 2022

As we start another year in the midst of a pandemic I don’t know if the world has changed forever. I just don’t have that kind of prophetic insight. But I have a sneaky suspicion that it has.

As far as church life is concerned it is still early days but I do think there are signs that indicate that some change is afoot. Here are a few of my reflections for 2022.

• The acute phase of the pandemic will come to an end largely thanks to a highly vaccinated population.
• That said it is highly likely that some kind of public health measures will be in place for quite some time yet…..well into 2023.
• Most churches will adapt but some with great difficulty. Hybrid (or blended) ministry will be a part of the new normal.
• Prior to 2020 the Sunday Gathering/Corporate Worship was almost synonymous with ‘being the church’. We had this equation in the back of our minds…….Church = Sunday morning. It is right here that I think we will see the most significant change. Already I am hearing pastors talk differently about what it means to be a church in modern times.
• We are going to hear a lot more about online ministry and small groups especially home groups.
• It’s a distinct possibility that many Christians who currently get into a car a drive to church will start looking to attend a church closer to home, even walking distance.
• The rate of new builds especially new and large auditoriums will slow down considerably.
• Though it is challenging to get a good reading of this in the red traffic light setting, many pastors are reporting a drop in numbers and income.
• Many if not most pastors have been told off by their own people for trying to do the right thing. We have witnessed a lot of anger in the last 6 months. I was told in no uncertain terms recently ‘where to go’. This is beyond tough, it is heart breaking. It is likely to continue for a while yet.
• We don’t have hard data on this but there no doubt now that Christians represent a significantly higher percentage of unvaccinated people than the general population. This deserves some further reflection but it is intriguing to say the least. My take is that the number one reason is that many Christians do not trust or have low trust in public institutions.
  [Please Note: If you had a few moments to let me know what you think on this I would be most grateful].
• The ‘voice’ of the media especially social media tends to drown out the voice of the Pastor and sadly even of God himself.

So without a doubt we live in very challenging times………difficult times. My hope and prayer is that you will hear the voice of God, that you will know the peace of Christ and that you will experience the joy of the Holy Spirit for the ‘joy of the Lord is your strength’.

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.