As states lift stay-at-home orders, many churches are preparing to reopen their campuses after months of closure. To ensure a successful transition, leaders should evaluate five key areas to regain momentum through vision and competence during these early stages of returning to in-person gatherings.
1. Recapture the Vision
During the first month back, prioritize recapturing the church’s vision. Use opening message series to remind the congregation of their calling, as many may have shifted their focus inward during the time away. By centering the discussion on the Savior rather than the virus, you can effectively address the practical factors for reopening well while re-engaging your community.
2. Reempower the People
Church leaders have learned that they cannot navigate these challenges alone. Every member has the potential to be used by God for incredible impact if leaders empower them to act. As you gather again, send a clear message that every individual is needed to help expand the kingdom, train Christ-followers, and serve God within the local context.
3. Replace Outdated Programs
With church programs placed on hiatus during COVID-19, this is an excellent time to replace outdated programs with new ones. What worked in the season before COVID-19, might not work today. By examining individual programs for community effectiveness in and outside the church, you can evaluate if the shelf life has expired. Much like food, programs have expirations dates, but unlike food, many people want to cling to what is familiar even when the standard has decayed the calling of Christ.
4. Repair Broken Systems
By now, you know what is working and what needs to be fixed. From effective communication to programmatic adjustments, the time to repair is now. What you thought was working and what reality says can be lost in the busyness of serving in the local church. If this extended fasting from campus worship should teach you something, it is that systems are essential and can either make or break a church.
5. Release God to Move
Has your church put God in a box? Have you been so structured that you put God in a straightjacket, stopping him from moving amongst his people? What COVID-19 has given the church is the freedom to worship in new creative ways. Please do not go back into the old way because that is how it has always been done. Free yourself! Free your people! Free God! When you gather back together, it is okay for extended testimonies, praise, and worship, all while allowing the Spirit of God to move like never before.
Regain momentum by being who God called the church to be and live on mission. Use this time away to reconnect to who God wants the church to be.