Ask Yourself Again: How Can I Serve Others?

I commented to a friend the other day that this pandemic has gone on for so long, we can already look back and say “Remember way back in the second month when we used to____?” There was the Sourdough Bread stage, the Fun-Zoom-Background stage, the Song Parody stage. One by one, we seem to have left these all behind as we settle into this strange year.

But as we head into the fall and into the sixth month of global pandemic, it’s worth checking ourselves to make sure the initial rush to serve our communities wasn’t just a passing phase. Let’s ask again: How can we, the Church, be serving our communities?

Long ago, Jesus declared that nothing—not even the gates of Hell—would defeat His Church. Since then, the worldwide body of Christ has endured persecution, imperialization, suffering, wealth, power, corruption, plagues, wars, and famine (to name just a few). Today, as we face new challenges and questions during COVID-19, we can be certain that Jesus’ Kingdom work on earth will continue as it always has. The question is, how can we join what God is doing?

Here are some ideas:

Gather (Safely). Hebrews 10 reminds us to not stop meeting together, but to continue encouraging each other. Of course, the author of Hebrews wasn’t writing during a pandemic. Still, with a bit of imagination we can scale this principle to our reality. Meeting in large groups may be more harmful than helpful to your community; but Christians still need the encouragement of their siblings in Christ, and non-Christians still need to see our lights shining.

Keeping the health risks and needs of your particular community at the forefront, consider a creative solution. Perhaps host groups of 10-20 people in socially distanced gatherings. Get together in driveways, parks, or empty parking lots—and make sure this doesn’t become an elite club. Ensure that anyone who wants to (and can respect the other attendees) can join a group. Or, try a drive-in service and worship from your cars. And if all else fails, there’s always meeting each other online!

Back to School. The end of summer means the start of school … or not. School administrators, teachers, parents, and kids are carrying burdens, weighing decisions, grieving losses, and bearing risks. Churches and schools are different institutions with different missions, but both exist to serve the community—especially children.

Reach out to local districts, schools, teachers, or parents and find out what they need. Whether you deliver school supplies or pray for teachers, demonstrating care toward your local schools during this time of upheaval and uncertainty will speak volumes—and reach the very people who need to know your church is there. 

Free Lunch. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? There are certainly folks in your town experiencing food insecurity. If there is a nonprofit organization providing meals to kids or others in the community, find out how you can help. Or, put your heads together and find a few people who could use a meal or two delivered.

Check In. While most of us have resumed at least some aspects of “normal” there are some—the elderly, sick, immunocompromised, unemployed and others—who may be very alone and isolated, not certain where to turn, and losing hope after months of seclusion. None of us can survive alone! While it may not be safe to join with them in person, make sure they deeply feel they are remembered, loved, and important.

Love Your Neighbor. Way back in March we compiled this fun list of ways to love on your neighbors while socially distancing—and they all still apply! Whether you prefer to deliver food, start a phone tree, or leave messages with chalk, you can engage helpfully with the people in your neighborhoods.

Look Outward. The prophet Jeremiah instructed the exiles to seek the peace of the city while they lived among the Babylonians. Can you imagine working for the good of the country that had destroyed your own nation and abducted you from your homeland? If God wanted them to serve their community, certainly He wants the same for us.

During this time of stress, we’re all brittle and stretched. It’s easy to react or assume the worst in others. Yet as followers of Christ, our job is not to protect our own rights or gain something for ourselves, but to pour ourselves out for the good of those around us–to seek the good of our city. Whatever your church does, says, or decides in the coming weeks and months, pause in prayer and be sure the impact on your community is for their health and benefit.

We know your ideas far surpass this short list—because we’ve heard so many of them already! You know what your community needs, and what strengths and gifts God has given your church for such a time as this.

Tell us in the comments, below, what your church is doing to love God and love your neighbor during COVID-19. We’d love to join you in celebration and prayer!