COVID-19 and the Small Church – Part 2

It has been one month since I last posted and in that post, entitled COVID-19 and the Small Church, I addressed things that small churches should consider as this pandemic began to sweep across the United States.

After that post, things began to spiral downward quickly and churches began to scramble as gatherings of 10 people or more were discouraged. While churches are considered essential services, the gathering together as encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25 has been put on hold due to these governmental restrictions, or have they? I am not calling for churches to ignore these governmental guidelines, rather that we are gathering together in different ways.

Go and make disciples…

Jesus told the eleven disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). During this time, we have a greater opportunity to reach more people outside of our communities by using the technology at hand all while seeking to continue to disciple those in our churches. Some may have been forced into the use of technology and may be struggling to use it. My advise is to avoid discussions in children’s ministry groups on Facebook. Some will talk about how effective they are in using technology to stay connected with the children and families in their ministry, others are lamenting about how they are providing resources and now one seems to be using them. Many are feeling defeated and that they are not needed. I pray that you are not one of those feeling defeated. While we can feel empathetic toward others in the group, it often may not be encouraging as we compare ourselves to others and the main commonality we find is despair in parents not engaging and feeling like we are failing or not needed. The ones who have success may only share the surface aspect yet as you inquire more, the results may not be as they seem to be presented.

The Truth

Parents are overwhelmed at this time. Some have lost their jobs and income. Many are wondering how to feed their family and keep a roof over their heads. School systems are providing parents with information to encourage and help them teach their children at home and the church has “upped” its game as well trying to provide daily challenges, devotions, or connections. It is a lot for parents to process at this time. May I suggest that less is better.

Do not try to do more because it seems that others are doing it. Parents want you to provide resources, but do not overwhelm them and do not expect them to use all of them, or to use them on your schedule.

We want to maintain relationships. Let me give you an analogy. Think of your favorite television show. You watch them once a week and you get to know them. You build a connection with them even though you do not see them in person, and may never meet them. We can stay connected to the children and families in our ministries with a simple video each week, or some type of similar connection – a note, or card. While the connection may not be a reciprocal relationship, the children and families still remain connected to you, hopefully as you lead them to Jesus. When we are able to gather together again, then the bond will be stronger because we made the attempt to stay connected in some way during this time and that relationship has grown by that connection.

When our church stopped meeting in the building, I had already planned to continue to provide our Sunday morning and mid-week programming online (not live) for families to have some type of regular routine. I did not add anything extra. Am I saying that is the right thing for you and your church? No. It was right for our small church and children’s ministry. You need to seek God and see what is the best course for your ministry.

People in children’s ministry have long stated how it is the parents responsibility to disciple their own children. If you truly believe this, then this is the time to trust parents to do it. We can still provide resources, but instead of lamenting the failures of engaging parents and families, now is the time to encourage them as they disciple their children at home. After all, that is what we seek in children’s ministry, parent involvement, right?

Evaluating your ministry

Now is the time where we see how we truly evaluate our ministries. The metrics that are often used no longer exist. We cannot share how many families we brought on to the church campus for the annual egg hunt, or how many people attended the annual Easter productions and other similar events. We may not even be able to effectively see how many are engaging with the online, and other, resources, that we may be providing them. So how do we evaluate our ministries?

Here is something to think about

When things are back to the new normal after this pandemic and social distancing, what if…

• children are reading their Bibles more
• children are closer to God
• children have grown in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52)
• parents are more involved in their child’s spiritual growth

Who would we credit?

Would we claim the credit for the resources we provided and kept connected with the families?

Would we credit the parents for discipling their children at home?

What about if the opposite occurs and you see no increased spiritual growth in the children or families? Who gets credit for this “failure”?

I think that there is only one metric that we should use when measuring our “success” in ministry during this time, or any time. And that is simply by asking the question….

Was I obedient to God, and fulfill what He led me to do?

We cannot control what others may do during this time. We can control how we seek God’s will and follow the path that He has laid before us. Do not compare yourself to others, use the abilities and resources that God has provided for you.

We will get through this time and ministry may never be the same. Trust God, follow His lead, and He will guide you during this time, and always.

If you need encouragement, or I can pray for you in any way, then please reach out to me.