Hollywood has been hampered, educational establishments have been disrupted, and businesses have been devastated — but the Church as a God-ordained institution has prevailed. The Church is enduring through COVID-19. Here are seven silver linings I see for the Church in COVID-19.
1. Leveraging technology
I have seen a surge in churches utilizing technology for good. Many are using them in innovative and creative ways. Live and pre-recorded worship services, virtual choirs, and redesigned church websites have been a blessing to see.
2. Being salt and light online through social media
Churches have channeled their creativity into social media platforms. Every Sunday, I see worship services on Facebook. YouTube has been flooded with new worship videos. Youth groups use Instagram Live. Many pastors have started podcasts. Ministry has been brought into the world of social media.
3. Championing corporate worship
While online services are a blessing, I sense a renewed longing and desire for corporate worship. We see the sacredness of Sunday mornings and the gathering of the church family. We miss singing together and being in the presence of powerful preaching. The people of God must worship together.
4. Practicing urgent prayer
Prayer has been a priority as we eagerly wait for answers. We realize that God is in control, and while certain aspects of in-person ministry are no longer available, we place an emphasis on the ministry of prayer.
5. Valuing in-person interaction
It is difficult to have a small group on Zoom. It is impossible to break bread together. We miss the small, informal interactions that take place when we are together, and it makes us long for meeting in-person. We understand better what it means that the church must gather together.
6. Loving our neighbors and valuing life
The elderly, the poor, ethnic minorities, and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to be severely impacted by COVID-19. We are learning to look after others in a way that we may not have done before. It’s a special way of love for our neighbors, and a specific way to show how we value life.
7. Fearing God, not death
Our lives and the Church are sustained by sovereign grace. COVID-19 has shown us in many ways that we are helpless, but not hopeless. Our salvation is secure. Plagues and persecutions test our faith, and in these fiery trials we see more and more that to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Grace Upon Grace
For the believer, God’s wrath does not come in the form of COVID-19. For the believer, God’s wrath does not come at all. At the cross, God poured his wrath out on his son. Our sins are forgiven. And with Jesus’ resurrection, we have new life in Christ. 2020 is not the worst. In every situation, see the silver linings. We are showered with grace upon grace.
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.” (John 1:14-18)