When the Church Looks Different

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Rom. 12:4-5)

It had been six long months since I had stepped foot inside our church building. Six months. Oh, how much can change in six months. How much the church can change.

As I stood there worshipping with my church family, I was in tears—tears of joy that we were back together again (safely distanced) inside our church. Also, though, I was shedding tears of sadness and grief.

During those six months that our church was online and outdoors, several families we were close to decided to leave our church. They made their decisions for several different reasons. Some left early on in the pandemic, finding a new church that never stopped meeting in person. Some followed.

As the medical crisis continued and other events shook our society, which led our pastor to teach a series on racism, others left.

And still, others left because they felt like it was time to move on to something new.

As I worshipped that first Sunday back inside our church building, all of this was on my mind, and my emotions were conflicted. I was so delighted to finally be back in our church, yet at the same time, I was grieving that the church as I knew it six months ago no longer existed.

As I am processing this exodus of people leaving our church, I am realizing my church is most likely not the only one affected by this loss. I am not the only one affected by this loss.

Churches around the world have had to make changes, institute budget cuts, re-evaluate how ministries can move forward while knowing they will not please everyone. In many cases, the difficult decisions they have had to make have resulted in people choosing to leave.

My heart is hurting for the church. My heart is hurting for relationships I know will not be the same because we will no longer see each other every Sunday.

However, I know my family is home at our church. This next season might be difficult, but there is comfort knowing you are home and where you are supposed to be. We are still connected and serving in ministries. We still have friends at our church. And as a little wink from God, when we were walking out of the church after these emotions had washed over me, I saw a woman I had met this summer through a friend. It was her first service inside the church.

Some leave. Some come.

You, too, might be grieving how the church looks different in this new season, but I want to encourage you to hold fast to the One who was, who is, and who is to come.

I genuinely believe this can be a time of revival and a new awakening for the global church as a whole. People who felt stagnant in their faith may likely be engaged at a higher capacity at a new church. People who were burned out after working for years at a church can have the freedom to worship during a service at a new church where they aren’t fully plugged in yet. And those of us who have stayed—well, we can be the welcoming smile to those who are walking through the doors for the first time. Together, we are the body, and it is time to work together.

While I will miss the community of those who have left our church, let’s get this one thing straight:  Jesus knew. He knew this season would come. He knew churches would experience people leaving based on difficult decisions that were made. He knew I would grieve. And he knows how all of this is affecting you, too.

Friend, while church may look different to you—to us—I am choosing to embrace my church where it is now and looking ahead to all it can be with all who choose to call it home.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of community and the local church. Lord, I pray that you would be with the global church as they navigate what church looks like in today’s world. Lord, I pray that you would awaken the members of the body of Christ and bring revival to our lands. Lord, unite the church so we may work as one body! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Eph. 3:20-21 NIV)

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.  Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Cor. 12:12-14 NIV)

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:15-16 NIV)

Reach for More

Are you connected to a local church body? If not, the church body needs you. Do you have the gift of greeting and welcoming people? What about working with kids or middle schoolers? We are not meant to just consume. When we serve our faith grows. Reach for more—do what God has called and equipped you to do in the church!

Heather Gerwing is living the full life with her husband, Jeff, four kids, and a dog in Metro Detroit. Heather enjoys reading, writing, coffee-ing, and serving in youth ministry. She was born a Jersey girl and feels most at home on a beach. She is the host of the monthly link-up, Share Four Somethings. You can join Heather on the journey to living the full life at www.heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Chuttersnap, used with permission