The Post Pandemic Church (Pt.2 of 3)

Dear Pastors

The Post Pandemic Church (Pt.2 of 3)

Last week I finished my opening remarks with this quote from David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group who said last year about the American Church “The sense of deep-rooted connectedness that most Americans have to a local church is becoming more and more transactional, less and less frequent”. I think we can say the same for the average church going Christian in NZ. A transactional relationship with the church is consumeristic in nature. It’s about a ‘shopping mentality’ that says essentially, what is in this for me? That has never been a value of church life historically but it is today.

Like most technologies there is the upside but there is also a downside. The internet has enabled churches all around the globe to continue to ‘meet’ during the pandemic and gather people virtually for worship (somewhat), teaching and connection. Amazing….right?

On the flip side. At the press of a few computer keys we can watch and/or listen to world class preaching and similarly to Christian music. For some 15 years now the millennial age group have been accessing on-line content mostly as a supplement to in-person gathering. Now everybody is doing it and doing it weekly. Further, frequency of in-person attendance has been declining for a long time in NZ as David Kinnaman has noted above.

Therefore, I predict that we will see a significant shift to Church as a community requiring people’s involvement rather than as content to consume on their own. If that is true then I think we will see congregations becoming smaller when they gather in-person. Further, some folks may opt to continue to meet in there small groups that were started in a lockdown and now that is the preferred mode of meeting. The impact of this trend will probably be felt most keenly by the larger church, I think. In fact that’s what I am hearing already.

Church as a community requiring people’s involvement rather than
as content to consume on their own

Now I will hand over to my guests.

Marty Redhead is the Hornby Campus Pastor at Hope Presbyterian Church in Christchurch

Throughout history The Church has ebbed and flowed in the way its connected. From house church to mega church and everything in between – with varying degrees of success and mediocrity in all of these models.

But what about now?

Well, I’m somewhat reticent to predict what is next. When Covid hit our shores, predictions of dire economic times swirled around with difficult days ahead. And although this was in part true – we’ve also seen economic growth skyrocket in a number of sectors including housing that no-one saw coming.

So, what about the Church?

The call for the local church is always the same. To preach the gospel, to care for people, to point them towards God and to see the power of the Holy Spirit enacted in lives. The delivery of that though is where we can be creative. House church? Gathered church? Online church? Sunday morning church? Regardless of how we deliver it – this much is true – we are to be gospel centred, people focused, God facing and a Holy Spirit infused people living transformed and transforming lives.

When Leslie Newbigen was asked if he was pessimistic or optimistic about the future of the church, he replied “I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ – which means that the question does not even exist”

So, let’s preach the gospel, let’s see revival blow into our people, let’s use this season to have a go at doing things differently all the while keeping the core tenants the same.

Tak Bhana is Senior Pastor of Church Unlimited

• a challenge to see attendances restored to pre pandemic levels. I’m hearing in churches where there are no restrictions, attendances are approximately 50 to 65% of pre-pandemic levels. A significant burden for pastors. Some may resign.
• Staff and volunteers will need added encouragement and support.
• An important verse in the light of gathering restrictions and online church is Prov 27:23 “be diligent to know the state of your flocks, attend to your herds”. We need to continue to diligently check on those we don’t see on Sundays. Jesus went after one lost sheep, left the 99.
• Our love affair with numbers and Sunday attendances has taken a healthy blow.
• If income decreases churches will most likely need to lay off staff. Some churches may close.
• With being shut down, online, restricted numbers spiritual condition of some Christians will have declined. Need to address this.
• Sermon’s will need to address current climate and struggles people are facing.
• Greater focus on discipleship will be an important key.
• Renewed focus on small group ministry. At Church Unlimited we have initiated a strong vision to encourage everyone into a small group.
• Need an adjusted approach to doing church with a shift of focus from what happens inside four walls of the church building to outside four walls. Greater emphasis on equipping Christians to doing the work of the ministry, caring, sharing Christ. Ephesians 4: 11, 12, 16
• There is a danger of going off mission and focusing more inwardly and on survival. Need to preach passionately being on mission.
• Prayer temperature of the church will have to increase to handle ongoing pressures as spiritual decline in the nation. Prayer is key to future success.
• A greater heart for unity among some church leaders and churches.
• Mixture of online and in-person church will stay. Need to do both well.

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.