The Church Series

TITLE: THE CHURCH

SCRIPTURE: ST. MATTHEW 16:16-18 / EPHESIANS 1:22-23 / EPHESIANS 2:19-22

Who would have predicted between Christmas and Easter we would be reimagining how we do church! In the past, I’ve actually enjoyed thinking through the potential impacts of unforeseen events that could ultimately affect the church. But, in all my Contingency Planning, “PANDEMIC” was not a word that landed on my strategic grid.

The last seven months have been a strange time, personally and in the life of the Church. In early March the nation began to feel the grips of a Pandemic that has not been witnessed since the early 1900’s. This COVID-19 shut down many churches across our nation, especially in hard hit areas like – New York – New Jersey – California – Texas – Arizona - Florida.

Even here in the State of Oklahoma we have been faced with challenges, certainly not as severe as other parts of the nation. The Governor had mandated our churches move to no more than 10 in attendance. Many churches opted to have outside worship on Sundays.

• Governor eventually allowed 30 in Church attendance

• He moved to Phase-2 and opened Churches and business to maximum of 50

• Currently our Churches are free to open to full attendance with proper physical distancing

Over the past 6-7 months I have had much time to contemplate and wrestle with the importance of the Church. I pray you have taken time to think about our Worship and this building that we fondly refer to as the Church House that has been an active part of this City and Community for 132 years. Over the past several weeks, we have learned so much about what it means to be a church and how many ways there are to be a church without gathering in person or making full use of our church buildings.

• Even as we do these things, we yearn for the time when we will be back together in community

• Although we have opened the life of the Church and back to our accustomed weekly schedule, we will still miss a large portion of our membership

• Our Seasoned Saints

• Those with Medical Conditions

• Those that just don’t feel it is the right time for them to return

• We still have a portion of our membership absent and truly missed

The Pandemic crisis has drawn the curtain on many things the world and the church have taken for granted for a long time. Not to admit such, may look like denying the truth. Afterall not saying the Coronavirus has affected the church may be a misnomer. Because the most important thing the church needs now is a reset after many years of drifting from the truth of its origin and destination.

I believe it is important this morning we take some time as we re-open our Church life and campus after shutting down our ministries since March. It is important we do not return with the thought or idea of business as usual or pick up where we left off. If we have spent time with the Lord during this ongoing Pandemic, there are some lessons we should have learned. Many of which I have been Preaching and Teaching about for the past few months of our Live Streaming Worship Services.

Some Churches and Denominations have been adversely affected more than others. Every church had to prayerfully consider what they were capable of doing in response to this public health crisis and make the right decisions for their congregation and community.

• Countless churches around the country have moved to online-only events

• Others explored alternative ways to meet with those who are able

• Some Churches closed down entirely

• Digital tools and channels that were once considered optional are rapidly becoming essential

• It is likely just about every church in the US has moved to some form of online environment

The situation originally looked bleak, until after we stepped back and began to see the hand of God moving. This season has led to an unprecedented push to modernize the way we do church, and the decisions we make right now could lead our congregation to reimagine what it means to be part of the body of Christ.

Yes, I have had much time to think about the Church, as I am sure you have as well. Nowadays, it may not exactly serve the truth to say seven out of ten believers may not really know what the church is, and why the Lord formed the church in the first place. This is enough proof that there is a necessity to re-instruct the true believers of the true meaning of the Church. Since the majority has lost the real meaning of what it means to be counted as a living Church that is in conformity to the standard truth of the New Testament. It was Jesus himself who proclaimed – ST. MATTHEW 16:18 “…UPON THIS ROCK I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH; AND THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL AGAINST IT.”