Being the Body of Christ during Pandemic

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”--1 Corinthians 12:27, NIV

For the past ten months, local congregations have wrestled with the question, “What does it mean to be the church--the body of Christ--when we cannot physically gather?“ It is first of all a theological question since the church often sees itself as the continuing incarnation of Jesus Christ in the world and gathering is a visible expression of that belief. Second, it is a sacramental issue based on your particular tribe’s understanding of the nature of communion, baptism, weddings, funerals, and other rituals of the church as communal events. Third, it is an emotional issue exacerbated by isolation, stress, and loss. Fourth, unfortunately, this has become a political issue that some have appropriated to sow division and discord. Fifth, it is a very practical issue that affects ministry, stewardship, and institutional survival.

The one thing I hear from clergy leaders is that they and many of their parishioners have come to realize that the church is more than a Sunday morning meeting or a building. The church is the people of God, the body of Christ, and it continues to exist in both its local and universal expressions despite the pandemic. The way the body functions is very different, but it does continue to function.

Perhaps our greatest learning during this time is that the pandemic has both highlighted and accelerated trends that were already present in the 21^st century church in North America. For example, regular participation or attendance in worship of faithful church members pre-pandemic was down to once or twice a month. We also know that participation in other activities such as Bible study was declining. The paradox is that some churches report more participation in virtual worship and Bible study than they were experiencing on-site prior to the pandemic!

The bottom line is that we can never think of church in the same way again. We have been challenged to consider new ways to practice worship, community, spiritual formation, ministry, and stewardship. In light of the volatile events all around us, we must rethink how effective we are in these areas and embrace new modalities and strategies.

The pandemic has been both a wake-up call and an opportunity. How will we take advantage of it to reimagine being on mission with God?

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