The New Normal For Churches..... And One Old One

Hello Church,

Get ready for a new normal everywhere..... even church.  As we prepare to get the world moving again, much discussion is being had everywhere on how things will be different moving forward.  Certainly you have your opinion as does every other individual...... from the protesters who wanted things back to normal yesterday to those who will stay at home even when health officials will declare that it will be relatively safe to resume activities.

I believe that, somewhere in the middle, lies the answer.  At this point I believe we will need to be intentionally aware of social distancing for months moving forward (and maybe until we get a vaccine).  I reserve the right to change my belief, but that is where I am now, here, on April 20, 2020.

As such, I am putting thought into what a conversation will look like with the Worship Team at Emmanuel.  How will/can we be thoughtful about moving forward when we get the go-ahead to have corporate worship again in one room?

For some there will be this tension between staying distant and giving hugs (I am not one of those).  For others, there will be a sense of quiet relief that they do not have to feel obligated to shake hands.  Either way, we have had to rethink what it means to 'love one another' in the life of the church which has included 'stay away from me'.  It's counter-intuitive and it will be difficult to adjust.

At Emmanuel we have many options to adjust for worship. How will seating change?  How do we collect offering?  Take Holy Communion?  Do we change how the coffee bar works?  Do we even have a coffee bar?  Is this the time to really encourage on-line bulletins?  Do we have a designated cleaner to clean doors and door handles throughout the morning?  Certainly the greeting time will need to go away (or we could stand up and wave our hands as we each spin in a circle).

Silliness aside, we will need to be attentive to a changed world.  The normal, at least for the time being, is going to be a new one.

The only thing that will not change is the presence of God's Holy Spirit.  That will never change.  No matter how we gather, God is everlasting and ever-loving and ever-present and I am ever thankful.  Hope to see you soon.... especially from a distance.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

Our Easter Lunch With A Pic To Prove It

Hello Church,

As a kid, of course, I loved McDonald's.  Every Thursday my grandma and grandpa would take me there for supper.  They would ask me every time what I would want.  Every time would be the same answer:  'amburger, ench ies and ilkshake'.....

Now I can't stand McDonald's. It's food that sits in the pit of my stomach all day.  The fries are too thin and the milkshakes are too fake. 

Fast forward to Easter Day, 2020.  Kim said we were all going out for lunch.  This, of course, could not be true because Easter Day 2020 was in the middle of a pandemic with all restaurants closed.  We soon found out the genius that is Kim Royer.  We went through the drive thru at McDonald's, parked in the lot of UDF and had our Easter lunch as we watch the thin traffic pass by us on U.S. Route 32. 

Not ideal for Easter, but perfect for Easter of 2020.  As a kid McDonald's was awesome.  As a grown-up I became wise to the more refined food of our culture.  Steak and ribs replaced 'amburgers' and loaded baked potatoes embarassed any fast food 'ench ies'.

But for this Easter, it was bliss.  I am returned to what used to entertain me.  The simpler things are not so passe for the moment.  God has reminded me to look for the small things that could bring a little joy to the day.  And for Easter lunch of 2020, eating in the GMC Terrain in the parking lot of UDF with high calorie fast food was really good.

So for this Easter season, look for the little things that bring joy.  The good Lord knows that many of the bigger things aren't possible for the moment.  So take time to be happy for the blessings of life that we used to take for granted.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

How I Keep My Sanity Through This

Hello Church,

This is day 22.... that is, the 22nd day after I realized that this pandemic thing was serious business; the 22nd day after I realized we were going to stop having worship gatherings; the 22nd day after I started getting really concerned about how I was mentally going to handle all of this.

My job aside, I'm trying to take it as a challenge:  how do I maintain my mental stability while, essentially, being a prisoner in my own home?  Here are my thoughts.  I'd be glad to hear yours in the comments below.

- keep my mind occupied.  Dwelling on this pandemic can become depressing and even paralyzing.  So I find other things upon which to think.  I'm binge watching the new show 'Picard' (taking me back to my obsession with Star Trek).  I'm also killing zombies on my VR; planning a bike trip (the Mississippi River Trail.... 1700 miles in 20 days from Minneapolis to New Orleans); and putting more effort in being creative creating church connections. 

- keep my body occupied.  I'm planning a bicycle trip tomorrow.  Don't know how far I'll get since my body isn't currently in shape enough to go very far.  Maybe it will take me all day to go from Milford to Lebanon.  Then again, I could just go to Lebanon and call Kim to come get me.

- keep my spirit occupied.  Though I'm not completely comfortable with the podcasts yet, I still have the opportunity to think through God stuff.  I prayerfully contemplate how to bring comfort to people.  It helps me bring comfort to myself.

- catch the mouse.  My cat is too dumb to get it done.  We haven't had a mouse in this house for a very long time. 

What are your ways to stay stable through this time?  I know that some of you haven't had your days changed too much through this.  Others of you, like me, have had your routines turned upside down.  Would love to hear from you.  Either way, know that God will get us through this and it will be really good on the other side.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

Pastor Joe Is Available

Hello Church,

As we get deeper into this new, strange world we live in, I consider my role in all of this.  For sure, my personal life has taken on a sudden change.  Joey is home from school but still 'going' to class via the computer.  Hope is in some strange limbo with her activities as well.  Kim is not working at all.  This all equates with everyone being home a lot (which is what we are supposed to do).

While my personal life has shifted, I realize I am still a pastor and still working.  So what about my job?  How do I serve the church in the most effective way possible, given the extreme limitations on where I can go and who I can meet and how I can meet them?  Staying connected is my goal... here is what I am doing it so far.....

First, I am diving into more on-line connections.  In addition to this blog, I will be going live on Facebook on Thursday at 7:30 for devotion and prayer time.  We'll see how it goes. 

Second, there is the Sunday Morning podcast.  Russ Bowman has helped out immensely and continues to provide music.  We are recording on Saturday mornings.  It's certainly a different context for me as I like to feed off of the congregation during my message.  Now all I have is Russ... who mostly just points the camera at me, pushes a button and gives me a look as if to say, 'good luck with that'. (some day I am going to point the camera at him and see how he likes it).

Third, there is a lot of work being done in the background to help with the financial side of the church.  Truth is, churches still have bills.  Many churches struggle even when there is an offering every week.  Emmanuel is not immune to the struggle, but there are a few who are mailing in their tithe (we encourage those who can, to do so.... PO 351, Batavia, OH  45103).  We are also looking at other opportunities..... loan deferments, grants and forgivable loans.... pray for us as we pursue these.

Fourth, remember the chocolate Easter Eggs?  We will be offering drive-thru pick up on this Saturday, 9:00-12:00.  If that isn't good enough, please call Pastor Joe (463-7378).  You can come and pick up your eggs without getting out of your car.  And you can buy extra eggs if you so desire. 

Fifth, I am always available for conversation.  Never be afraid to call or text.  If you want to meet in person (with social distancing rules in place), I am good with that too.  We can't meet at Panera, but we can meet at the church building.  You don't even have to have a major stresser or dilemma.  In times like these, a normal conversation can take on more value than in 'normal' times.

Sixth, I am connected with a resourceful group of pastors (a private Facebook page) who are struggling with the same issues.  We share ideas with each other and the success and failure of those ideas.

As I struggle with how my role will play out in this strange, new world, I welcome any feedback and suggestions.  I very much want to be your pastor, even if from a distance.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

The One Place Where Traffic Is Heavier

Hello Church,

I have the joy every day to wake up in the morning, go downstairs and look out my big, front picture window.  In years past I would see a small wooded area across our street.  In recent years, the owner has slowly cleared out the trees and planted grass, readying the plot to sell to anyone who might want to build a house.

As such, I now get the view that was behind that wooded area:  the cemetery.

This doesn't bother me as much as it would some people.  In addition, I have been a distant observer of funerals and would at times hear the somber sounds of Taps.  However, over the past couple of weeks I have noticed a new dynamic:  heavier traffic.  I have seen more cars slowly driving through or even stopping for several minutes.  Some would get out and stare at a given tombstone.  I admit that part of me wants to have conversations with them.  How are they feeling?  What are they thinking?  Who are they missing?

I have had the opportunity to dwell on this new dynamic.  I wonder why this is?  Is it because other people have more free time and decide to visit their past?  Is it because this pandemic has caused more people to think on their own mortality?  Often times, when we get troubled, we do tend to get more philosophical about life.... and theological.

This is Lent.  It is a time to especially focus on God.  While pandemics don't need to happen in order for us to get this message, the truth is that troubled times do fill the church pews.... and bring more visitors to cemeteries.... and cause us to especially focus on God.

I hope you are healthy and safe.  We will get through this.  I pray that we get through this knowing that God is with us.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

Calm Down, Be In Prayer and Let's Get Through This....

Hello Church,

The last week has been a whirlwind for me and I know for most, if not all, of you.  The virus is changing how we go about our days and our government is working hard to get us information on what and how to get things done that will help us as much as possible.

We will each have our stories about pandemic.  For me, I have struggled to process how fast this has happened and how to react as a religious leader.... even as circumstances have changed daily if not hourly.

To be honest, a week ago I was skeptical.  I was leaning toward the 'over-reaction crowd' as I watched other areas of the world report numbers that were relatively low.  A week later I fully admit my mind has changed.  I'm thankful we have health professionals that stayed on top of it and leaders that continue to keep us informed.

If there is anything that has troubled me most, it is the lack of calm.  My trip to Kroger was the biggest eye-opener.  Shelves being emptied and stores needing to put a limit on certain items to allow everyone a chance to buy what they need. 

I believe this speaks to our lack of calm and a lack of calm traces back to a lack of peace.  This is a role that the church--and you as a Christian--can jump into.  It is easy to believe in a loving, sovereign God when we nonchalantly go about our day without too many serious cares in the world.  It is much more difficult to be a holy witness for a loving, sovereign God when we are troubled or even panicked.  It is times like these that we can be an example of someone who believes in the everlasting.

So let's be calm.  Listen to our leaders.  Be in prayer for the world.  Help one another out as you can.  Ask for help when you need it.  Most of all, put your trust in a loving, sovereign God.

I am available to help as I can.  Let me know what I can do.

God is Good,
Pastor Joe

Have You Licked The Floor Lately?

.... if you have, it might have tasted like butter....

Hello Church,

For those of you who haven't been caught up, Emmanuel had a minor tragedy in the kitchen.  The fridge broke and melted a whole bunch of butter which spilled across the floor.  The troops rallied, however, and everything is cleaned up and a new fridge has been purchased.

Which leads me to this week's consideration:

It takes people to be a church

I know.  I know.  This isn't a grand epiphany, but one that I want to voice.  The church just doesn't accidentally exist and continue to exist.  The church doesn't exist just because Jesus rose from the dead.  The church doesn't exist because there is a pastor employed.  The church doesn't exist just because there is a building in which to meet. 

The church exists because there are people who have the Faith, love the Lord, and care about one another.

I invite you into another Lenten lesson:  do you take for granted that Emmanuel will always be?

Emmanuel will not always be.  It will cease to exist when people stop putting their Faith and love into it.  Many a church people have made the mistake of assuming their little church on the corner will always be there.  Yet doors close for good every year and then people wonder why.  It starts with making reckless assumptions.

How are you embracing the Faith and putting love into the church?  Many thanks go to those who made a vast effort yesterday to clean up the kitchen, but please consider the motivation behind the time and energy that it took them.  We need to remember it takes real effort to make the church go, from everything from a preached sermon to a functional fridge.  And it takes more than 5 or 10 or even 20 people.  Emmanuel needs everyone to embrace the Faith and put love into the church.  This is what creates effective ministry and how love expands out from the people of the church and into the community at large.

Embrace the Faith and put your love into the church. 

God is Good,
Pastor Joe