Dr. Thom Rainer, The Post-Quarantine Church
The Post-Quarantine Church: Six Urgent Challenges and Opportunities That Will Determine the Future of Your Congregation by Dr. Thom Rainer is written specifically to the church, but the perspective is so helpful for all of us that belong to the body of Christ. As a Christian school leader, I see so many parallels with what we have faced with our school family in this season of COVID-19. We stand on the doorstep of 2021, but I don’t think that this pandemic is behind us, instead I believe it will become a marker for so many things we do for generations to come. Instead of focusing our eyes on what we have lost, let’s look with great HOPE as to the gospel opportunities that have come because people are more sensitive to the things of God. Let’s not miss it!
I highlighted several things while reading and have posted those notes below…
- Be excited and encouraged. Don’t let the unknown become a source of fear. You are not entering this new era alone. Not only is God with you; he has gone before you.Location: 210
- Church facilities became the focus of the busy church. We often gauged the health of a congregation by the number of times people came to the facility for worship services, groups, ministries, programs, and events. A busy building, we surmised, was a sign of vibrancy and health. Location: 255
- The most active members were often the least evangelistic members because they spent so much time inside the building instead of out in the community. Location: 259
- Having become accustomed to doing without our buildings for many weeks, we’re now able to look at our church facilities with different eyes. We can see them more as a tool for outreach rather than a cocoon for members. Location: 313
- As we prayerfully seek ways for our churches to become a more potent missional force in the digital world, we must be careful not to fall into the trap of church busyness. God has uniquely equipped each of our congregations to move forward in the post-quarantine era. But we can’t do everything. To state it more imperatively, we must not attempt to do everything. Location: 489
- The biggest problem with the “back to normal” approach is that the world has changed significantly. The pre-quarantine world and post-quarantine world are not the same. Churches cannot minister effectively using methods for a world that no longer exists. Location: 519
- So what are the lessons of the quarantine for the post-quarantine era? Perhaps one of the most powerful and poignant things we’ve learned is to remember that our churches are in the community for a reason. Location: 598
- The post-quarantine church is moving into a time of pervasive and powerful prayer. To miss this opportunity is to miss a clear movement of God. Location: 790
Seven Ways to Lead for Lasting Change
1. Remind People of Their Biblical Hope
2. Remember, Cultural Change Comes Last
3. Visible Action Steps Are Essential
4. Allies Are Still Imperative
5. Communication Must Increase Exponentially
6. Leaders Must Be Willing to Accept Membership Losses
7. Leaders Must Align with the Future Location: 1,206
- As we enter this unknown era, we’re uncertain about the specifics of what will unfold, but we remain certain that the God of all wisdom and power will be with us every step of the way. After Jesus gave his disciples the Great Commission mandate in Matthew 28:19-20, he reminded them that they were not going it alone: “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Location: 1,337