But, I Can’t Go to Church!

The COVID-19 pandemic changed normal life all around the world. It forced many to be wary of the spread of the disease. 

In many areas, church buildings had limited attendance because of the virus outbreaks.  Many even closed their doors until the pandemic lessened. After the disease crisis, many ministries still are not where they were in attendance

But the church house is not the church!  The real church is those that are born-again into the family of God. Members of the body of Christ still need to be fed and encouraged.  Times may have changed, but the believer’s needs have not.

Instead of lamenting, “I’m all alone.  I can’t see my friends at church,” “Because I can’t go to church, I’m not being fed spiritually anymore,” or “It’s not the same ministry it once was,” do something about it! Maybe it is time you try to meet the needs of others. Minister to others rather than waiting for others to care for you!

• Spiritually feed yourself if you are not doing it already. Daily read your Bible.  Study the Word of God.  Increase your prayer life. If your church is broadcasting on the internet or radio, do not miss a service.
  
  I have heard of one woman who did not have the internet to listen to her church services.  Filling the need, another church member, who can hear the internet broadcast of her church, played it over the phone so the other could hear the services. 
• Minister to others.  If you cannot visit them, call members on the phone, send cards, or write letters.  Avoid gossip and complaining, but purpose to uplift those you contact. For some, a phone call could include prayer time or sharing a blessing found in the Scriptures.
  
  Do not just call or write to your close friends.  New members, widows, sick, your pastor, and the lonely need to be encouraged and not forgotten.  They may not be able to go to the church building for some reason, but you can bring “church” to them! 

The difficult isolation should have been a growing time rather than a dying-church time. It will be a flourishing time if all will be more concerned about ministering to others rather than just letting someone minister to them.  It is always a time to work and not to sit!

Do not wait for someone to meet your spiritual needs.  Get your mind off yourself and think of and minister to others.  The survival and growth of a church is up to each one of us.  It is always time for all Christians to get involved in the work of Christ and make a difference.