COVID-19 taught me how to preach to an empty room and the unblinking eye of a camera as our congregation watched from the comfort (or discomfort) of their homes. Since then, most have trickled back to in-person worship, but a handful remain homebound. How do we care for fellow members who are too often out-of-sight and out-of-mind?
Envision
First, we envision who they are:
- The cancer patient whose chemo treatments leave her immuno-compromised
- The elderly saint who cannot move from his bed
- The husband caring 24/7 for his dementia-stricken wife
- The mom in quarantine for a month as germy kids pass on sickness to each other
- Those fearful of the vaccine or the virus or both
- Those who have gotten a bit too comfortable in their living rooms
Members in our churches become homebound for various reasons and require the nuanced patience of shepherds who know their flock (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Empathize
Second, we draw on what we learned from lockdowns. All of us have had a taste of being homebound during the recent pandemic, and the church’s shared experience has opened our eyes to the ongoing challenge of “one anothering” from a distance.
How do we minister to members who face prolonged isolation due to chronic illness, physical disability, caretaking, incarceration, or other factors? How do we encourage the homebound to actively engage in the life of the church? And how can the persecuted church around the world continue to flourish when gathering altogether is neither safe nor wise?
The church’s temporary experience of shepherding-from-home has helped us to empathize with those who face separation for a time (2 Timothy 1:4).
Equip
Third, we equip the saints to practice Christ’s “one another” commands in Scripture (Ephesians 4:11-12). Advances in technology allow the homebound to connect online. Your small group fellowship can adopt homebound members for prayer requests, visitation, and to meet specific needs (1 Corinthians 12:20-26). Consider some ways to effectively care for those who cannot join you in-person:
- Intercede for one another (James 5:16). Pray through your church’s membership directory and call those you haven’t seen in awhile.
- Care for one another as members of one body (Romans 12:5). For example, identify those dealing with chronic illness or pain. Minister to them with home-cooked meals, grocery runs, or helping with yard work. Meet the practical needs of your brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 3:17-18).
- Build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Resume the lost art of letter writing and send your encouragement via snail mail. Share your testimonies of God’s good work through phone calls, podcasts, and written genres. Use your words to edify the church and give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
- Instruct one another (Romans 15:14). Send cards or social media posts with Scripture you are praying over others. Text them personalized devotional thoughts which have encouraged you or call them up to discuss certain books you are reading together. Share with each other what God’s Spirit has taught you through his Word (John 16:13-14).
- Weep with those who weep (Romans 15b). Many of us have lost loved ones or have dealt with unmet expectations during this pandemic. Lament with those who are grieving losses and with wisdom, openly share your hurts.
- Then long for one another with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8). Realize that our limitations in this fallen world will one day be no more in the new heavens and the new earth (Revelation 21:1-5).
Exhort
Finally, we exhort the homebound to participate in the life of the church as if they were physically present.
- Invite those watching the livestream to sing aloud at home (Colossians 3:16) and to follow in their Bibles with the Scripture reading and the sermon (1 Timothy 4:13).
- Encourage them to contact fellow members they see participating in the worship service: “Here’s how your message blessed me. I rejoiced to hear your baptism testimony. It was so good to see you leading worship today.”
- Call the homebound to serve in ways that utilize their abundance of time and their desire to stay engaged (1 Peter 4:10). Too often, we only seek volunteers from those who show up on Sundays.
- Let the homebound show hospitality as they are able (1 Peter 4:9). They can steward their homes and outdoor spaces which God has given them to provide a place of rest for others.
- Ask how you can bring fellowship to them through visitation. Perhaps they would eagerly welcome a time of household worship through singing, communion, and exhortation from the Word (Acts 2:42-47).
- Sometimes, the homebound may have drifted from the body for sinful or selfish reasons. If they are embroiled in conflict, urge them to pursue peace (Romans 12:18). If they have fallen into sin, call them to confession (1 John 1:9). If they are struggling with doubt or despair, lovingly direct their eyes to God (Psalm 46:1). The church can gently restore such ones and receive them back with grace (Galatians 6:1).
- Consider how to engage the homebound in your church with “one another” ministry. May we stir one another up to love and good deeds through the gospel’s compelling truths and the church’s compassionate care (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a 31-day devotional developed at New Life Church. Learn more about “One Another” ministry for the homebound at this year’s IBCD summer institute in Riverside, CA.