We’ve never done it this way before.

It has been said the seven last words of a dying church are “We’ve never done it that way before”.

 

Well, 2020 has certainly knocked us out of that complacency. Most of us have had no choice but to do Church a different way. This varies drastically depending on where you are in the world, local demographics, current stats in your area, at-risk participants, and other factors. Things seem to change daily, and everyone has a different viewpoint depending on what you experience, where you live, whose opinion you trust, what you read, and which news you watch. Many of us thought, “We can stay at home for two weeks. I need to catch up on Netflix anyway. No problem!” But in much of the world, weeks have turned to months, and God alone knows how things will continue to unfold, along with all the answers to so many tough questions.

 

God has taken our training wheels off, and now we'll see if we can ride this bicycle without quite as much assistance. We are officially kicked out of our Comfort Zone.

 

As hard as it is, I see good things coming out of this. We have to acknowledge and care for the weakest among us. It’s not all about me. We have to be intentional to connect. We have to make wise choices to care for our souls.

 

There are incredibly good resources online. I'm being encouraged and strengthened by outstanding content being made available affordably and conveniently. Sermons, webinars, podcasts, audiobooks, online retreats, virtual learning, so much great input.

 

God keeps opening doors for ministry. He is not quarantined. We are no longer limited by location. Men and women are coming to our Tuesday night Bible study from Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, Hawaii, Canada, and Australia. I am able to bring pastors’ wives together on Thursdays for soul care from across the US and other countries with without travel, risk, cost, or concerns about weather conditions. And we can do it all on our couch in our pajamas!

 

It's all I can offer personally right now since I’m very high risk and caring for a 90-year-old mother. Through Psalm One Ministries, we are trying to put teaching, training, and tools in the hands of men and women who are struggling to handle the challenges of 2020 in a way that honors Christ.

 

It's hard. We're all grieving. We’ve all lost something. It's not the same. The cancelations are so disappointing. The restrictions are incredibly frustrating. I am so eager for our next Day of Refreshing or Refocus and Refuel Retreat. I hope we can be together soon, face-to-face, freely interacting, hugging, laughing, connecting without any obnoxious masks or intimidating concerns over safety. But for right now, many of us have to love and support one another from afar.

 

I am reminded of a wonderful but long-distance boyfriend. Even though it was hard we had to learn to express our care for each other in a physically-distant way. Many of us still must socially distance. How do we do fellowship in 2020? Get creative. Do what you can. Look for the good. What loaves and fishes can I offer to come alongside others?

 

I keep a running list of people as God brings them to mind. Then I contact them. Call me a dinosaur, but I actually use a telephone to make a voice call. Crazy, I know. Inevitably either they need to talk with me, or I need to hear from them. We must keep seeking God on a vertical level, but we also need to keep seeking connection with one another on a horizontal level.

 

I’ve been helping people come up with a “Gap Plan” to help us “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30), then to love your neighbor as yourself.

 

My own Gap Plan (non-negotiables to keep my heart alive in 2020):

  • Sleep/Rest/sabbath

  • Beauty/creativity/creation/four-legged therapy (Photography as a spiritual exercise for me and a ministry to others)

  • Laughter/joy/play (Rummikub and Ruminations with friends across the globe)

  • Tears/Lament/Unloading (Sunday is Crying Day with mini-meltdowns as needed through the week)

  • Swimming/exercise/exploring

  • Unhurried time with God (plus taking advantage of the incredible content through sermons, books, podcasts, websites, apps, webinars, classes, online retreats, etc. available right now)

 

Please pray for those in ministry. We are making some exceedingly difficult choices. We are coming alongside faithful, wonderful, beloved people who are grieving, fearful, angry, disappointed, lonely, isolated, frustrated, anxious, depressed, antsy, and weary. Everyone has opinions. Most are being incredibly gracious, kind, patient, helpful, understanding, and supportive. Some are impatient, judgmental, and downright combative. We have had to disappoint a lot of people. Some have been heartbroken. Some have been angry. Others have been so happy and appreciative to be together without having to second-guess their risk factor. The pastors I interact with are deeply concerned about the flocks they love. And most are exhausted. Pray for us.

 

Figure out your own Gap Plan as we take the next step in this “long obedience in the same direction.” Praying for you!

 

Much love,

Linda

 

 

 

 

psalm one ministries

- MASON, Ohio -