Grace to you and peace from our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ Amen
When will we be back to our old normal? The question of the day/hour/minute it seems. For my pastor’s message this month I am going to do a short Bible study which I have also shared with staff and council. It is based on what you might feel is an unusual book of the bible—the Book of Revelation. I think over my years as a Pastor, this is the book of the bible I have lead discussions on the most!!
So first and foremost: Please hear me clearly. In NO way do I believe that God has caused this pandemic. Do I believe God is present with us and all the doctors and nurses and scientists who are working to find a cure? Absolutely. “Lo I am with you to the end of the aged;” were words of promise from Jesus to his disciples then and now.
Revelation 21:1-6a. I would encourage you to get your bibles out and read the passage.
Vs. 5 says: “See, I am making all things new.”
Revelation is certainly one of the most complicated and debated books in Scripture—well that and the Book of Job in the Hebrew Scriptures. No background right now—will save that for a bible study. The book was written to be a book of hope not a book of history told in advance.
At its heart the visions address the question of Who or what is at the center of Christian life? Oh my John uses bold and vivid images to drive home the point that Christian life centers on Jesus Christ alone. “So, behold I am making all things new—how is the Covid-19 crisis making the church new right now?
Here are some of my thoughts as we move ahead into a new normal or new reality. Rather than focus on “how soon till we can back to our old normal?”—my usual mode of thinking, I have to admit and that I get stuck on—a better question I believe is:
- What will we be free to do, to try and to be in our new normal?
- What will we carry forward with us from our time of social distancing and with the steps we have taken so far?
- What will we carry forward in regard to worshiping, connecting, teaching, service and more?
- What part of our old patterns seems suddenly so just non-essential, and perhaps not even helpful in light of a new sense of mission?
Technology is creating a whole new world for the church. My next door neighbors, members of Our Savior’s in Haddonfield shared with me how they loved going to Easter service sitting on their couch watching a live stream of worship drinking coffee.
- What will the future look like?
- How will leaders for the church—pastors and deacons be formed for this new reality?
The questions go on and on and must be part of the call process.
So my dear brothers and sisters we are truly on a trust walk—Life will NOT be the same again—Church as we know it will NOT be the same again. Our trust as we walk these new pathways is in Jesus Christ—our crucified and risen Lord who promised to be with us always. With Christ’s resurrection we have a new normal. Our God is about changing the status quo. The future is still open. God is still at work creating, re-creating and sustaining us to do things we could not have imagined previously.
Hang on—I think we are in for a wild exciting ride. And in the meantime, please know that Deacon Bill and I hold the family of St. Matthew up in our prayers and I ask that you do the same for Kim Bohley, Deacon Bill, Cantor David Harp, Dave Rulon and me and our families during these unsettling days. Thanks so much.
Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Peggy