Things really are different now.
Is there more to come?
The Status Quo has just disappeared. Churches are reinventing themselves.
Two key things are driving this:
1 Pushed by the
isolation requirements of COVID 19, there has been a rush to ‘doing church’ on line. This has been welcomed by some and proven difficult for others. Like it or not, going online is probably here to stay.
This in turn, has put pressure on local church finances, the viability of property and the ratio of clergy to laity.
Nieuwhof also noted that the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has fast-tracked the digital shift in many churches, and predicts that “growing churches in the future will become digital organisations with physical expressions, not physical organisations with a digital presence.”
2 The
political and economic outlook which in recent years has been kind to churches, is undergoing upheaval.
Planning for Change
Change will be different for everyone. Diversity will flourish.
a) Don’t be in a hurry.
b) Think about the impact on everyone.
c) Communicate, listen, communicate, listen, communicate.
d) Explain why.
e) Clarify misunderstandings and address rumours.
f) Be positive.
g Lead by example, be a model.
h) Learn from churches which are doing well, talk to other leaders.
When Planning to Return to a More Familiar Church Routine:
Tony Willis, Assistant (retired) to the Anglican Bishop of Wollongong, shared their 3-step procedure for enabling a safe return to gathering as a church community.
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