With the Delta variant reminding us that this pandemic will be around at least into 2022, many congregations are facing the fact that they will not be seeing a significant percentage of their members returning to in-person worship this fall.  And the longer some members continue to only worship online, the more likely many of them will rarely, if ever, return to worship in your sanctuary.

 As I have been coaching church transition teams and call committees over the last eighteen months I always ask what their current attendance is compared to 2019.  In almost all cases the answer is that average in-person worship attendance has dropped 30 to 50%.

Needless to say, this is a serious congregational ministry crisis that needs to be addressed.  But what can be done?  I suggest two strategies.  One is to provide an on-going, quality member-care ministry for every member who worshiped regularly in 2019 but has been consistently absent from in-person services since then.  The second strategy is to institute ways these online worshipers can be engaged and discipled by and through your weekly online sermons.  Only a combination of these two strategies, in my view, will significantly reduce the number of online worshipers who will eventually be lost to inactivity.

Your member-care effort should include phone conversations, every two to four weeks, with lay volunteers who have been recruited and “trained” for this ministry.  These conversations would be to see how this person is doing, and to ask if he/she has any personal prayer requests.  The volunteer would not only offer to pray personally for the member; he/she would volunteer to pass the prayer request on to the congregation’s prayer team.  Ideally, each of these online worshipers should be contacted, consistently, by the same volunteer. 

Now for the second strategy: Striving to engage online worshipers through your weekly sermons.  One example is how one LCMC congregation in suburban St. Louis used a sermon series on the Gospel of Mark to encourage both in-person and online worshipers to read the entire Gospel.  Members were asked to read a chapter each week in preparation for the following Sunday’s sermon.  The chapters were broken down into daily devotional reading texts to encourage members to develop a daily Bible-reading discipline.  Another idea would be to invite online comments regarding the next Sunday’s sermon theme.  This feedback could be in the form of survey questions where their answers—sent in via email—could be incorporated (anonymously) into the following Sunday’s message.  One more idea is to offer a mid-week online, interactive Bible study for members who are on Facebook.  This would make it possible for live “classes” where participants could make comments in real time.  The result would be a discussion-oriented Bible class/devotional time.  And finally, why not have your congregation host one or more weekly Zoom Bible studies?  This could achieve a group dynamic which would be almost the same as gathering in person.  I have done a lot of work these last eighteen months on Zoom.  I find these Zoom meetings to be very discussion-oriented; especially when the total number of participants is not more than six to nine people.  And since the beginning of this pandemic a great many more Americans have become comfortable with and open to the idea of gathering and conversing online. 

All the above suggestions would help prevent increased inactivity among those members who are not yet able—or comfortable enough—to return to your in-person worship services and classes.  However, please note that the second-strategy ideas above presume that you will continue to offer online worship; at least as long as this pandemic continues.  You will want to do this not only for your members, but also as an outreach to the unchurched in your community.

“For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know” (1 Thessalonians 3:4).

Have we not heard that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and the hope of Christ has therefore been poured into us?  Do not be surprised at the hostility in this world, for the world continues to hate the Lord.  Hear what is told you beforehand so that when it comes to pass you may stand firm in the faith that You have been given.

Lord, all things are in Your hands.  They always have been and always will be.  Lead me, O Lord, to not react to circumstances, but see that You are here with me.  Guide me Lord so that I may stand firm in the truth of Your presence and purpose.  In spite of what happens to me in this world, lead me to learn to be faithful in, through and above all things.  Whatever afflictions may come, guide me to hold fast to You.

Lord Jesus, You know affliction.  The world has hated You from the beginning.  But in You and through You the world is knitted together and has its being.  Let me no longer hold to this world but be transformed by Your goodness and mercy.  Lead me in Your grace to hold fast to You no matter what affliction comes so that I may now and always be known as one who believes in You and all that You have done.  Amen.

Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3).

We are a part of the communion of saints, the fellowship, those who are in the Lord.  We are called to live in and through our Savior Jesus Christ, doing what He gives us to do.  It is teamwork and we are to work together.  You are a part of the team.  What is it the Lord would have you do?  Live into the life to which you have been called through grace and know that in Him is all life and true liberty.

There are those, Lord, who have come as a part of a larger team and served so that I would hear the Gospel.  Lead me, O Lord, to not be cynical in this age of cynicism, but a willing participant in Your call of grace on my life.  Help me to live in the fellowship where You have placed me.  Teach me to do what You would have me do.  Through all things, guide me in this grace to serve Your church.

Lord Jesus, You banded together Your disciples and then sent them two by two into a hostile world.  Help me to see that I am never alone but guided by You and those whom You send in Your name.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always be guided by You in the way You would have me go.  Teach me to be faithful and to faithfully share the Gospel with others.  Amen.

“For we wanted to come to you – I, Paul, more than once – and yet Satan hindered us.  For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation?  Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?  For you are our glory and joy” (1 Thessalonians 2:18-20).

Do not focus only upon yourselves or what you are doing.  Instead, look to others and see what the Lord is accomplishing.  Do not be guided by the wickedness of this world but be transformed by the goodness of Christ in His mercy.  There are hindrances and the wicked one means them to stop you.  The Lord allows them to teach you to persevere.  Whom will you follow?  The wicked one or the Lord?

Lord, lead my life so that I would not be hindered by anyone or anything.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and the glory of a life lived as You created it to be lived.  Let me be aware of Your presence, walking in this faith knowing that you are leading me.  Through all things, help me to know that it is You alone whom I serve.  I can do all things as You lead me to do them.

Lord Jesus, in You alone is all hope.  You have given grace upon grace and You have made possible the life of faith I have in You.  Lead me this day so that I would humbly walk in Your presence.  Guide me according to Your purposes in order that I would know more fully this day the truth You have revealed.  Let me be as Paul and the other disciples, giving witness of Your presence and purpose in my life.  Amen.

“But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while – in person, not in spirit – were all the more eager with great desire to see your face” (1 Thessalonians 2:17).

The communion of saints is a very real thing.  We are connected with other Christians in and through Christ.  Living in this reality is a part of the life of a follower of Jesus.  It does not matter if you do not “feel” it.  It is what the Word says.  Greater is He who is in us so that, in Him, we can do all things.  He will bring to pass all that He has promised.  Trust then in the Lord and walk always in His ways.

Lord, this world wants proof for everything.  The truth is, You have revealed Yourself to me and unless You do so for the one who wants proof, they remain blind and unable to see.  I do not know Your plans, so let me continue to shine the light You have given me.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life that I may now and always be guided by You and not by those who do not believe.

Lord Jesus, author of my faith, guide me today to humbly acknowledge that You are present.  Lead me to act despite how I feel so that I may do what is right and in accordance with the Word You have spoken.  In all things, guide me according to Your never-changing Word in order that I may now and always lead the godly life to which You have called me through the grace You have given me.  Amen.

“They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost” (1 Thessalonians 2:15b-16).

Do not imitate those who hate God.  There are many in this world.  They set the tone of culture and we are tempted to follow their lead.  Follow the lead of the Lord, not those who hate the Lord.  Do not listen to any who tell you anything contrary to the Gospel which you have received through Scripture.  Learn to hear and obey the Word of the Lord and know that in His goodness, He is the One who saves.

Lord, open my ears to hear Your voice.  Help me to be discerning so that I may recognize when those who hate You speak and help me to not listen to their vile words.  Through all things, guide me to be gracious even as You are gracious.  You know all that is needed and have already provided for every need.  Lead me in the way I need to go and then help me to to go there.

Lord Jesus, You have taught us that we are not to hate others.  Let me not hate any, even those who are opposed to You.  But let me also be discerning so that I would be firm in the faith You have given me.  Guide me according to Your purposes in order that I may be led by You in the way of truth.  Help me see more clearly that You alone have given the example of how to live life.  So, help me to live that life.  Amen.   

“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-15a).  

Tradition has always been a big part of how the church does what it does.  We do imitate someone as we move through life.  The question is, are we imitating the right things, or should I say, the right one?  Paul encourages us to imitate the church at ground zero, that is, the church which adapted what was done when Jesus walked the earth.  Remember, Jesus did not come to do away with, but fulfil what had been established.

Lord, let me neither shun all tradition, nor see tradition be my all in all, but let me not try to reinvent things so that I do nothing.  Guide me in Your goodness in order that I would hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.  Lead me in Your grace and mercy to do what is right always and imitate those things which are good. Show me what is good so that I may imitate it.

Lord Jesus, You said that only the Father is good, but You and the Father are One.  Lead me to imitate the goodness You demonstrated so that I may learn from You what is right behavior.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth and help me to learn to respect how things have been done by others.  Through all of this life, lead me in the upward way so that I may ultimately imitate You in order to become like You.  Amen.

“For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

For it truly is the Word of God.  How many in this world argue over whether or not they believe God has definitively spoken?  Look, either this is the Word of God, or else it is not.  If you do not believe, then leave well enough alone.  But if you do, well then, learn to listen, for God has spoken.  Anything short of not fully listening is disobedience.

Lord, You have opened my eyes to see and my ears to hear. The world tells me all kinds of things which are contrary to Your Word.  Let me hear as You speak and then respond to what You say.  Guide me in Your goodness that I would apply these things which You have given me to my life.  In You alone is all hope.  In You alone is salvation.  You have given us Your words of Law and Gospel.  Help me to apply them.

Lord Jesus, You have come speaking the Word of truth.  Guide me, O Lord, in all truth and help me apply Your truth in my life.  Let me be bold, but not arrogant.  Let me be forthright, but kind and meek.  Let me be what You intend so that Your Word would be fulfilled.  Teach me to reject the lies of this world and accept the truth which You speak.  In and through all things, speak to me that I may hear and respond in faith.  Amen.

“Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

Walking worthy is not the same as being worthy.  One of the things Scripture reminds us of time and again is to begin the journey in faith as if.  As if we were worthy.  As if we were like Christ.  As if we were able to move mountains.  This is not a call to arrogance, but a call to being faithful.  Too many are intimidated by this world rather than standing boldly in the promise of Christ.

Scripture often reminds us to put on Christ.  We put on the One who will transform us from the old into the new.  This is a part of the process.  Be led by the One who leads and go where He leads you.  Know that in Him is all life.  In Him is liberty.  Be guided by the One who is more than able to grow you into His likeness.  He will make of you what He has always intended.

Come, Lord Jesus, and as I take You upon myself, hold me fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that You will accomplish what You have promised.  Lead me to understand that I can do all that You have promised because You have accomplished salvation for all who believe.  Bring me in faith to truly believe all that You have promised.  Amen.

“You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers” (1 Thessalonians 2:10)

You are witnesses.  You are the ones who have heard the Gospel and followed the Lord.  Do you live your life as a witness?  When you have seen something amazing, do you not share it?  You are a witness of the most amazing thing of all.  Do you not share it?  This is spoken to us again and again that we might not hide what we have been given but share this life of Christ which is ours and to be shared with all whom we meet.

In this world, we are told to mind our own business.  This is usually said by someone who is not minding their own business but attempting to mind ours.  The Lord has called us into His eternal presence.  The Lord has given us His goodness and mercy. The Lord asks that we respond by living uprightly and blamelessly in a world gone mad.  Live as one who follows the Lord and your behavior will gain attention.

Lord, You know what I need.  You know what stands in the way.  You know where I need to go.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I would follow You wherever You go.  Help me to live by Your example and as You are teaching me to live.  Guide me to behave consistently, whether in public or private, so that how my life is lived may provide an example and be an encouragement for others.  Amen.