The Church in 2020

The nation’s response to the Coronavirus has us all rethinking what our lives are about.

Do we have to go to gyms to exercise?

Can I stay in touch with friends without being near them?

Can there ever be too much toilet paper and frozen pizza in the house?

Can I get the same uplifting message from online church?

Will life go back to what it was before the Coronavirus was in America?

Not likely. Any event that is as far reaching to all aspects of our lives will change us. But we go forward just like those before us did in uncertain times.

Our spiritual lives have changed, how we worship and congregate. There may be a plus side to our virtual church. There are people that may be searching for deeper meaning in their lives. The world in crazy mode has that effect. But, those same people might be reluctant to go inside a building filled with strangers who may or may not look like them. It is all too much bother to figure when to stand and shake hands(pre-March 2020 reference)---not to mention all those songs that aren’t familiar and announcements about people and events that are unknown. Does the phrase “I’m spiritual not religious” really stand for I’m spiritual, looking for understanding, but I don’t want to join the organization?

Maybe virtual church will connect with those that the 21st century church hasn’t yet. This time of staying home, cherishing family and what we have, not of what we think we should acquire, sounds like the perfect opportunity to embrace some Christian ideas. Maybe fifty years from now the faithful will look at the 2020 pandemic as the event that took modern Christianity from Sunday in the pews to a bolder outlook. A church focused on justice, kindness and a mission to include all in creative ways, that we can’t even imagine now. A church not tabulating membership losses but rejoicing in the number of people touched by the love of God and fellowship of other believers in the church building or beyond. With all crises there is an opportunity on the other side for those that visualize what can be.

Linda Larimer

For St. Mark Presbyterian's On-line worship and classes, click here.  We welcome all.