At the time of publishing, Australia has had 6,000 cases of coronavirus. Whilst there are many potential trajectories our nation could take, now is a good time to learn from church leaders who have been experiencing even greater social isolation and feeling more acutely the societal, emotional and health impacts of the virus. These leaders reside in Spain, Italy and the USA; countries that have well surpassed the cases reported by China – which was once seen as the most unthinkable benchmark of the disease’s spread.

The church across the world is responding to this changing landscape as it seeks to be the best witness of Christ in the crisis. Below are seven lessons from pastors and missionaries who recently participated in a webinar hosted by SEND INTERNTIONAL (In Lockdown: Learning from the European Church’s Missional Response). They are gospel workers in Spain and Italy who have reflected on what they wish they knew before the tidal wave of disease hit their nations. Some further insights from North America have been included, along with helpful resources for our Australian context.

1.      This pandemic is taking people to the wells of spiritual life.

From the epicentre of the disease, a pastor spoke through tears of the pain their people face. Imagine this: A spouse is quarantined after the death of their partner. They must drive themselves to the hospital. No one else can drive them. They can’t even go to the funeral. They grieve alone. The pain is acute.

In the face of unfathomable pain and suffering, Francis Arjona, a pastor in Spain has seen a marked change in what has been a society largely resistant to the gospel. “The Bible talks about important things. Our world here has never wanted to listen to that. Life is important. Money and work are not going to solve this. We are talking about life and death here. I believe there is revival happening.”

Where some churches may have had event invitations on their websites, these are being replaced with clear presentations of the gospel. Some have ads on social platforms linking to clear gospel-centred resources for people searching for answers. Some leaders have advised to resist the temptation to create your own resources, but rather offer links to good resources that are already available online. Through these initiatives and reaching out to the wider community, one church leader has been receiving calls from people who simply want to confess their sins.

The BUV COVID-19 Resources page is updated regularly with the latest information and resources, including translated materials. Please see link here.

2.      Don’t rush.

In the face of lock down and extreme isolation, some leaders acknowledged how quickly their minds went to creating new things. However, many of the leaders acknowledged the need to slow down and take time to identify the needs – particularly as situations change daily. Identify how you are being changed personally by the situation. Take time to address your own fears and confess them. Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, based in North America, acknowledges in a recent Christianity Today article, “When fear comes, there is a temptation to frenetically chase activity. We are quick to jump on what we think we should be doing or to follow the crowd when the tipping point is reached. Yet instead, it is critical in this time to instead stop and step back. Take time to think through what fears are at work in your heart and in your community. Write them down and think through how best to respond in ways that are constructive and God-glorifying.”

Both either rushing to create something new and or doggedly maintaining old paradigms can distract from emerging needs, while also draining the capacities of leaders. Carey Nieuwhof, recently wrote “5 Predictions about the future church while everything’s still unknown”, in response to the pandemic, says that “leaders who have the energy, passion and agility to change now will end up advancing their mission in the future.”

You can find helpful leadership resources and training from Carey Neiuwhof here.

3.      Find alternatives when the internet becomes clogged.

Ron Anderson, who is leading a church in Spain noted that the internet is overloaded, diminishing live-streaming capacities. This has led some church leaders to preach from the rooftops. A vicar in the UK has taken to the streets. For those continuing to meet online, Whatsapp has become a popular application, requiring less data than other options.

Lacey Lengel, of Shepparton, has been running English classes for new arrivals. She has recently moved her classes online, choosing WhatsApp for connection, as it is very popular with communities that have access to limited Wi-Fi and technical support. Read more of her story here.

Information on how to set up Whatsapp can be found here.

4.      Smaller is better.

Many church planters in the most devastatingly affected parts of the world said that small gatherings were now the focus of their gathering work. They are seeking to create more environments for connection and going smaller. They are going from “preaching to people to preaching with and being in community.” In Italy, almost five weeks after isolation measures were introduced, people are desperate to see each other more and more. The best platforms for this engagement have been WhatsApp and Zoom, with its break-out facilities.

Information on how to use Zoom can be found here.

5.      Shepherd the people.

Since draconian measures were introduced in Italy in early March, live-streaming has been well utilised by churches. But some have found that the scramble to live-stream, whilst necessary for the gathering church, had detracted from the intentional shepherding of the people that have been entrusted to church leaders. Some leaders are now calling people non-stop every day, checking in on their needs to encourage them. Their service to their people has become more like chaplaincy – providing spiritual support and strength. One church planter, Justin Valiquette, generated a list of all those people who were relationally connected to the church for the last two months. He said that now “every single person is accounted for and being pursued and cared for individually outside of the group [gatherings].”

Rev Gayle Hill, head of BUV’s Mission Catalyst Team has written a helpful article on the effort needed to connect meaningfully with individuals, and helping those individuals connect with others. In addition, the BUV has created a template for people making phone calls through to encouraging one another during the pandemic. This might be a useful tool for your church to use as it gives a framework for connecting with the congregation and community.

You will also find useful tips about connecting through social media here.

6.      Focus on home dynamics.

There are grave concerns over social isolation increasing the prevalence of domestic abuse. In response to this, one church planter launched a chat service for people to connect with believers about their situation at home. They have paid for advertising on Google, Facebook and Instagram, encouraging those who are experiencing tension and difficulty in the home environment to use a chat service, where people on the other end can offer encouragement.

Useful information are available on the Domestic Violence Victoria website and eSafety Commissioner website.

7.      Pray, pray, pray.

A church pastor in regional Spain, spoke of rising prayerfulness, with virtual prayer meetings at three times the capacity of their usual face-to-face prayer meetings. Another leader has set up intercession teams, where six people connected regularly with one another, all of them bringing three names to commit to prayer. Each gathering of six was covering 18 people in prayer.

Miguel Castillo, based in Italy, implored listeners that this is a huge opportunity to pray: “We are agents of hope in this place where panic and fear have set in. We are going to choose faith over fear. We are not going to choose paralysis by analysis. We are going to love with the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The BUV, along with many other churches and organisations, is also calling its family to prayer during this unsettling time.  From Monday 13th April (Easter Monday) – Sunday 19th April we are asking churches to join with us in a focussed week of prayer. Click here for more information.

Source: BUV News

Recently I have found myself having conversations that I haven’t had since I worked as a social worker in an Intensive Care ward about twelve years ago. In that role, I would support families who had critically ill loved ones. When the patient was out of danger, my conversations with the family would turn to their self care and what they should expect over the next few weeks. I would say,

“Don't be surprised if you find yourself getting easily upset. The next few weeks will feel like a rollercoaster. You have been through a major trauma and it’s normal for your body to re-adjust both emotionally and physically.”

I have been saying similar words this week. Often after a major trauma or incident we find ourselves having strong emotional, spiritual or physical reactions. I think COVID-19 would count as a major trauma! If you are in leadership in a church, over the last few weeks you have been forced to lead your church through a massive change process that has happened at very short notice. You have totally transformed your mode of church; had to learn how to stream services, provide pastoral care remotely, run meetings online and deliver sermons to camera rather than a present congregation. Some or all of this has been outside of your experience.

When facing trauma, it is often at the three-week mark that we find ourselves at a vulnerable point. This is often when our emotional tank is nearing empty, having been drained by constantly responding to the needs of others around us.  We may also feel spiritually flat after engaging with the initial challenges to faith and service. You might be experiencing some of the following:

• Feeling as if you are in a state of ‘high alert’ for what needs to happen next
• Feeling emotionally numb
• Feeling distant from God or spiritually drained.
• Becoming easily upset or emotional
• Feeling fatigued or tired
• Feeling very stressed or anxious
• Being very protective of others including family and friends
• Reduced concentration and memory
• Change in appetite such as eating a lot more or a lot less.

Maybe you just want to stay in bed and pull the bedclothes up over your head.

Here are some helpful tips for us to remember at this time:

• It is important that we remember that it is normal to have both a physical, spiritual and emotional response to a major event.
• Don’t bottle up your feelings – talk to someone who can support and understand you.
• Try to keep to a normal routine.
• Practise your usual spiritual disciplines, even if you don’t feel like it.
• When you feel exhausted, make sure you set aside time to rest.
• Make time for regular exercise
• Connect with others in your team, your church, your friendship circle to support each other.
• Find ways to have fun (even with social distancing restrictions) – play games online, have dinner with others online, go for a walk or bake a cake.
• Relax – pray, use music, gardening or do things you enjoy.

Make some time to read and reflect on Elijah’s experience in 1Kings 19:1-21. In what ways can you relate to Elijah’s experience? What resources did God provide to support him in that situation? How might you access similar resources to support you at this time? Click here for a sermon by Rev David Devine on 1Kings 19.

If you find things going for too long, seek help. It is important to talk to someone as early as possible to prevent longer-term issues from developing. You are able to contact your Regional Pastor or a Church Health team member if you want further assistance.

Take care of yourself during this time. God is faithful and will sustain us.

Christine Wanstall,
BUV, Church Health Consultant

Mental Health Resources:
Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries recognizes the need for access to online mental health resources in this season, and so they are making The Sanctuary Course available for free. Simply use the code "mentalhealth" at checkout to receive a 100% discount for the next month (discount code expires April 18, 2020). This course is intended for use in small groups, and so now more than ever we ask that you gather online with friends or your church community to engage with the material together. You'll also find other useful Mental health resources here.

Source: BUV News

Our BUV's Partnership Development Pastor, Andrew Naylor is a professional musician and has recorded his version of 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross' (originally written by Isaac Watts) as a video. Andrew has made this available to any church that would like to use it this Easter in whatever setting you like. If you need a download link for church service use, please email andrew.naylor@buv.com.au. 

Source: BUV News

Stepping inside Balwyn Baptist church (BBC), caressed by her bright and free-flowing space, you will be forgiven for not being able to tell that this is actually a mixed marriage of an ageing wooden hall built over a century ago, a beautiful high ceiling brick worship place built between the two world wars, and a concrete extension built in the eighties of last century when the interest rate reached a crazy 18%. That’s the image you might summon when you think of BBC facing the unprecedented COVID-19 challenge, where her diversity in age, race, culture and traditions turned into amazing and enriching unity by God’s grace. 

The current pandemic has had an effect on everyone, regardless of age, race or religion and everyone’s perceptions and responses have differed. There is no “correct” way to react to the COVID-19 outbreak. The community at Balwyn Baptist Church has always been diverse, with worshippers ranging from Anglo- Aussies, to China, Mauritius and the Middle East. Fellowships that frequent the BBC schedule have assisted in developing strong trust and understanding within the church. Facing the pandemic together has only further highlighted that despite the many differences, there is unity in diversity. 

During this time, it has become even more important to stay close to God and His word. However, with health and safety regulations, Sunday church services were put on hold. Turning to online services like many others, BBC worked hard to keep the congregation connected via Zoom. This drastic change inevitably leads to some challenges within the church; most notably, the use of technology. The BBC community has been blessed with a notable variation in age. Some members of the church less familiar with the usage of technology have struggled with the conversion to online services.

Specifically, we witnessed the love of Jesus reflected in the actions of a member from BBC. Upon hearing that a member of the congregation did not have a device to operate Zoom on, she bought an iPhone 5 online and a 12-gigabyte sim card. This action of love and generosity has been echoed throughout the church with other members lending laptops to those who need it and helping each other learn how to use the program. Although the use of technology is still a challenge, the help that the church has willingly offered to each other has been a direct reflection of how differences have brought us together. 

It is inevitable that the reactions towards COVID-19 will differ. There are members who respond with a greater level of caution, and others who are more relaxed. The church has overcome the many differing viewpoints, and through God has been given the ability to converse in love and understandingly. It has been moving to witness the immense support and empathetic responses during this time. The controversial issues surrounding the pandemic which frequent the media and the perceived cultural stigma’s have not impacted the dynamic within the church, but instead through prayer and praise, the church has united in unwavering faith to provide support to each other. 

Although it is often perceived that diversity and unity are at opposite ends of a spectrum, God has the ability to link our differences. Through Him, BBC has been able to unite in current circumstances and embrace the diversity. It is these differences that have been a blessing to the church.  

By Victoria Li 
Year 11 student, BBC church member

Source: BUV News