When I first started reflecting on how the four discipleship types would handle quarantine, I was most worried about the Lukans. People who express their discipleship through relationships? How were they going to handle being in isolation from their people?
It turns out, besides the Markans who are still enjoying the fact that all the rules are getting broken, Lukans seem to, on the whole, be handling this the best. Why? Well, in the first place, the world we live in these days allows a fair amount of maintaining relationships to continue to go on. While they were not terribly initially excited about the change in relationship venue, given no other choice Lukans have adapted rather well. They have done everything from the relatively old fashioned (writing letters and starting phone trees) to the innovative (all kinds of meetings through Zoom and social media). Plus, Lukans are on the whole still grateful for the way the busyness of their world has quieted down and allowed them to spend real quality time with the people they love the most, usually people they live with so face-to-face is going to continue to happen.
The other striking things about Lukans in this moment is that, again on the whole, they are in no real hurry to return to in-person worship. Again I was initially surprised by this, but on reflection it makes complete sense. The highest value for Lukans is preservation of the community. Until there are assurances that returning to worship will not risk the life of even one single person in the congregation, Lukans would rather continue to worship online. The worst thing that could happen in a Lukan congregation would be to return prematurely, and then an outbreak of coronavirus happen, and then someone die. Even if someone just became severely ill it would wreck a Lukan congregation.
Those of you who have followed Gospel Discipleship know that I have theorized that denominations have dominant discipleship tendencies. Of course individual congregations within that denomination can vary, just as individuals vary within congregations with a dominant type, but overall our theologies and histories and polities tend to resonate with particular pathways. So generally even if a community hasn’t tested their churches, I can guess the types of churches based on denominations. So who was quick to reopen? The Johannines and the Mattheans. Not all the Matthean churches have reopened, particularly those who have been able to translate their mission work to the new context. Those that have, though, are probably very good at following physical distancing guidelines, especially if they are clearly spelled out. Many of the Johannine churches have reopened though, largely for two reasons: 1. There is no good, clear, apparently moral leadership guiding them in their decision making at a state or national level, and 2. Even if there were, no leader supersedes the authority of Jesus, and right now much of the debate around coronavirus has become not a war over science but a war over culture and morality. Johannines will not abide having their moral framework challenged, and thus they are asserting their rights to operate under their own moral authority. They will prove that there is power in the name of Jesus, and they expect the health of their people will be that proof. (Note: again, there is variety within individual Johannines as to what constitutes a moral stance here, and so those insisting on staying closed are standing on just as firm a ground as the others, but generally I am saying that the churches who reopened quickly were Johannine, and used a “We are washed in the blood of Jesus” argument to do so. I am not saying that all Johannines necessarily agree with that stance though).
When it comes to Markan churches, some are open, some are closed. It depends on where the Spirit is leading them. But Markan pastors in charge of other type churches are generally in no hurry because with the building closed, they are now getting to do some things they have always wanted to do and no one is around to stop them. Also they are banking on fuzzy memories when people return, which may or may not hold true, but either way, change is made and there is no going back now. Lukans, though… if there is a community that has just one church that is still closed, bank on it being the Lukan church.
Now here is what is fascinating about what is happening. Being the last church in town to reopen may be the absolute best position to be in at this moment. Why? So many reasons. As I have had conversations with these pastors, several things have become evident, but I want to focus on three in particular. First, people in town who went back to their church when it reopened and realized no one was going to actually honor physical distancing but who are still worried for their own safety are not going back to their church. The perceived disregard for the safety of members has deeply wounded some people. (Note: again I am not saying that the churches who have reopened are seeking to harm their people, because I am certain they are not. I am just describing how people feel as a result of what they experience). Now, they are looking to the church that has stayed closed for guidance and connection. Many, many of the pastors at closed churches have had conversations with people in town about these concerns. Now, this is not the kind of evangelism I advocate, because this is just stealing each other’s sheep. However, if the closed church is providing a place for these people to land, then at least they are not walking away from church altogether.
Second, again based on random conversations, giving in Lukan churches is not significantly down. I don’t know what it is like in others but Lukan church after Lukan church is reportedly holding fairly steady. Why? Because what Lukans expect of church – to be connected to each other – is still happening. They are still worshipping together, and they are still maintaining contact with each other. Also, remember that Lukans are incredibly loyal. That loyalty will extend to continuing to support the church as well. If you happen to be in a Lukan church and giving has dropped off quite a bit, take a look at your connectionalism. If you can rebuild that, you will likely rebuild giving. Also, another reason giving is not dropping off significantly is that Lukan churches are picking up new people, and picking up new people who are generous.
And that leads to my third point. Because Lukans are starting to look at this time of being closed in long haul terms, these churches are significantly upping their online game. Many of the other type churches saw online as a placeholder until they could get back to face-to-face. I hate to break it to everyone, but Pandora’s jar is open. If you don’t have a significant online presence from here on out, your church is dead in the water. As soon as you go back to face-to-face, however, you essentially need 2 worship strategies. The churches who are staying closed have a real opportunity to spend time getting their online strategy mapped, tested, practiced, and integrated. Also, Lukans can take this time to learn how to build relationships with people online, which will be the critical piece for staying power. Online church is how we will grow our church from here on out. Online is the vast field of evangelism before us, and we need to be developing it in significant ways.
We all need to be leaning into the church type that we are, because we will then speak the Gospel that will reach the people we are called to reach. So for the Mattheans and the Johannines and the Markans who have reopened, lean into who you are. Reach who you can in that moment. But for the Lukan churches who are starting to feel peer pressure to open, maybe that is not who you are supposed to be right now. Maybe you are supposed to be the church of refuge for those who are not ready to go back yet. Remember, God needs all of us to reach the world. And God needs us to be who we are to do that work. So Lukans, stay true to who you are. And stay closed.
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash