Issue 27 Changing ChurchBlog | From letters to blogs – with the same message of hope
From letters to blogs – with the same message of hope
Author: Andy PeckPost Date: 16.06.21
I ’m not sure that anyone could have predicted the last 12 months, and this period of time has meant different things to many people. It has pulled and stretched us in unimaginable ways; whether that was a single mother attempting to work and home school three children, or a couple forced to rethink how they work on their marriage. Across the globe, we have been reminded of the fragility of life and the power in the moments we are given each day. We have had to adapt and change not only how we think, but also how we live. Yes, every now and then something enormous happens to the world, to culture and to our lives, which forces us beyond our comfort zones, beyond the shores and on to the waters, by faith.
The church has not been exempted from this process – and now it exists beyond the shores and in a very different position than it was 12 months ago. However, as the vaccine continues to be successful and we have the promise of normality upon us, the pertinent question is whether the church will retreat to business as usual or rise to the occasion and adapt to a new normal.
One thing which has remained true during this process is the church as an essential service. The family of God is essential to the local community; to the grieving widow; to the struggling businesses and the thriving ones. It can be the heartbeat of local schools and the driving force of culture. We have seen those who believe, and those who don’t, reflect on the meaning of their lives and on the need to be connected and to have community. It appears to me that the pandemic has set the stage for the church of God to shine and Christ to be glorified. However, our methods of reaching people with the gospel, by our sermons and our actions, must extend to where people reside, all the more
