Two Big Questions
As we continue to connect with church leaders in this season, there are two questions that seem to rise above all the others:
How can we reopen in a way that makes sense for those we serve?
As state and local governments are beginning to implement phased reopening plans, church leaders are caught in the tension between what is possible and what is practical. There is a wide range of perspectives on this and a host of local variables that influence decision-making.
Churches trying to open soon face a myriad of restrictions and contingencies that can be overwhelming. Other leaders who choose to wait until the quality and safety of the experience is high for all attendees are faced with unknown timelines that could stretch well into 2021. How do you make the right decision for your context?
How can we strengthen digital engagement pathways to further the mission of our church, both now and in the ‘next’?
I believe the leaders who will experience the greatest amount of Kingdom fruit coming out of COVID will be those who recognize that the learnings of this season should profoundly shape the church models in the next season.
Our emerging generations are “digital-first” natives, and the rest of us are finding our lives becoming more and more digital-centric. The church at large is long overdue for a more balanced “both-and” approach to reaching, engaging, growing, and sending individuals and families. Perhaps this experience is just the disruption needed to bring about critical change.
Larry Osborne said in a recent video about re-opening our churches: “I think going forward many of us are going to start thinking that we're an online church with local, physical locations...How do we go from just having an online presence to being the best we can online and reaching all the people we suddenly find ourselves reaching?”
I think those are thoughts worth wrestling with before we rush to “get back to normal.”
Finding Answers
How can you and your church leaders find answers to these and other critical questions? Join a group of like-minded leaders for a 6-week experience of discovery and decision making. Our next Virtual Strategy Lab launches soon. Grab your spot today!