Keep growing

Growth is one characteristic of living organisms; and as a living organism, the church must grow. 

It is the right thing to desire that the church your husband (& you) pastor grow, however, you need to watch that growth carefully. Growth in the number of members in any church is of little to no value if there is no growth (with)in the members. Such churches are "fat and flabby" rather that "fit and firm".

This lock-down is a good time for a reset not just rest. As pastors, we have the opportunity of encouraging our church family to deepen the roots of their personal and family relationships with God. 

Rather than try to replicate every in-person meeting with an online version, we should encourage families to spend more time with each other and with the Lord. For instance, parents can be encouraged to set aside time to have "Children's and Teens' Church" with their children. Just the same way parents are having to carve out time for home-schooling. This is a good time for children and teens to gain some insight into what their parents believe  - and live by.

One important take-away from this for pastors and parents alike should be that you should aim to keep growing wherever you are...a lock-down should not lock-down your growth.

It is my prayer that when we return to the new normal including in-person services, our respective churches will be fit and firm based on qualitative growth of members. Amen!