Jeremy R. Geerdes Posts

As we have discussed our strategy for re-opening, we have sought to incorporate the best of others’ thinking. In doing so, three things have become apparent.

Today, I would humbly offer a list of some of the internal things that must be in place before we can resume in-person worship services. To be clear, these are things that we can control. Some of them are questions that need to be answered. Some of them are plans, procedures, and policies that need to be formulated. Some of them are things that just need to be done. That, though, is the point: these things are not would-be-nice things. They are needs that absolutely must be in place before in-person services can resume at our church.

I have been wondering what external factors – that is, things which the church cannot directly control – must be present before we resume in-person gatherings. As of this morning, our congregation’s leadership team has wisely identified at least three such factors.

Truly, recognizing and addressing the operational challenges presented by COVID-19 is a daunting proposition. In the midst of all the other stuff that we have to juggle, though, we must not forget to adjust our expectations for seating capacities.

The priests spent more time in the middle – halfway between the past and the future – than anyone else. Such is the lot of anyone who would lead through change, whether that change is planned or unplanned, the result of a strategy or crisis. And since change is the essence of church revitalization, it should not surprise us to be standing in the middle. Neither should we be surprised at what life is like while we do so. Fortunately, Joshua 3:17 suggests five things that we can expect – and even prepare for – while we stand in the middle.

An estimated 80% of churches across North America are in need of revitalization. That is, eight of every ten churches have neglected one or more portion of the mission of the Church to the point that they are experiencing significant dysfunction or even at risk of closing altogether. What must we do to help them see revitalization?

Leaders of revitalizing churches, however, cannot afford to remain in reactionary mode. It is imperative that we begin to recognize the disruption of COVID-19 as a watershed for our congregations: we have right now a rare opportunity to introduce change without the risk of revolt.

In church revitalization, there will come a time when all seems lost. Some problem arises to which there is no apparent solution. Some roadblock emerges around which there seems to be no way, and in that moment, you will be tempted to give up. Before you do that, though, take a lesson from Calico Jack: be nimble.

Pace is an essential part of the church revitalization strategy because, more often than not, revitalizations do not happen in an instant. As such, there are two primary mistakes that revitalizing leaders make when it comes to pace: they try to do too much too fast, or they try to do too little too slow. And just like in a race, if you do not set the right pace, it can be disastrous for you and the church.

The closer I get to God, the softer his voice gets. I think there are two reasons for this. First, because I am closer, he has no need to speak more loudly. And second, more importantly, as close I am, he wants to draw me closer still.