Pastoral Conversations

Christians are not immune, from Covid or the anxieties it provokes. As the pandemic’s second wave worsens, fears are emerging among believers, provoking questions. So, my pastoral conversations have sharpened up: a kind of pastoral apologetics.

 

The Invisible Covid Church

Much of what we have done as leaders during Covid has been invisible to our membership. Our outreach – street evangelism, working with the local senior citizens centre – is not seen by them. Even the pastoral care, and small groups, all happen online, and so are invisible to those not actually involved in each activity. Our physical services, back in the building, although witnessed by some through livestreaming, are not experienced by many of even our supposedly ‘regular’ congregation, from pre-Covid days. The church is therefore fractured, and in its fragmentation therefore invisible to most people. 

Transition, Contingency, and the Revelation of God

 

Just as we are successfully re-opening our church building for services, respecting social distancing and cleaning regulations, comes the possibility that we may have to close down again. The government scheme of Tier 2 and Tier 3 rules will not mean places of worship shutting again, as happened during the lockdown. But it appears that they are considering a short-term ‘circuit breaker’ for a couple of weeks; and if this follows the example of the Welsh government, it could involve prohibiting services in church buildings again.

Action, Man....

Last Sunday, our youth worker, Rochelle, preached her first sermon, since re-opening our church building for worship. She noted that, afterwards, several young people approached her to talk; and she concluded that this demonstrated the importance of relationship, being seen and heard. She has actually had the most difficult job in our church, because two weeks after she began work, lockdown started – and so she had to somehow do ministry with people she had never met. She did really well. But her observation on Sunday reveals how crucial physical presence matters.   

The Creativity of Covid

Throughout the pandemic, especially during Lockdown, it was recognised that the isolation could cause loneliness. So there were many suggestions for ways to maintain our mental health. These ranged from sports and exercise, through quiz nights online, to arts and crafts. And this concern has continued as the crisis looks set to continue into the winter. 

Grayson Perry, the ceramicist, for example, did a TV programme, in which he recruited his celebrity friends, to do something artistic, as a way to encourage viewers to emulate them. When he encountered some who were anxious about getting it ‘right’, he said something that is remarkably freeing: “Your mistakes are your style.”

Contemplation and Combat

When I arrived in the inner city for ministry, it was common to recommend contemplative spirituality, the cultivation of silence, as a spiritual discipline. Digging into the works of Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen, would offer greater deeper resources for dealing with the stresses of urban mission. So, I built a practice, in my 20s and 30s, of regular retreats, and personal meditation.