How a Church Directory Connects Members During Tough Times

As the pandemic and its many disruptions head into a second year, many people are understandably exhausted, lonely and frustrated. Yet there’s also a growing sense of hope and opportunity, especially among people of faith and church leaders.

Covid-related lockdowns have forced congregations to flex their creativity and experiment with new outreach methods. Church members and leaders continue finding solidarity in their mission, however, determined not to let a global health crisis stop worship, education and outreach activities.

Time spent in quarantine also has served to increase worshipers’ awareness of what they most miss and appreciate about in-person gatherings. In fact, a recent Lifeway Research study reveals that 91 percent of U.S. churchgoers plan to eventually attend in-person worship at least as often as they did pre-pandemic. Of those respondents, almost a quarter (23 percent) say they plan to attend church even more than they did before!

On the other hand, some church members likely won’t feel safe returning to in-person worship for a while, even with social distancing measures firmly in place. Some people have even come to prefer online worship and Bible study opportunities, whether through their own congregation or through other churches, both near and far. Pastors even report receiving financial contributions during the pandemic from out-of-state worshipers who’ve never stepped foot inside their facilities.

At this point, no one’s quite sure what church and authentic community will look like post-pandemic. But it’s pretty certain they won’t—and can’t—look the same as before. Though some naysayers predict that churches will face prolonged hardships or even close for good, optimists are confident that the shared challenge of the pandemic can spark a new reformation.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, Christian congregations throughout the country will find new ways to move into a fuller, more inclusive sense of what it means to be an authentic community of believers. Read More