Like you, perhaps, I continue to have a range of emotions about the pandemic we are still facing. I am praying for God to take it away, but even more so I am praying that his will be done through it. I don’t pretend to know for sure just what his will is, but I suspect that, regardless of anything else, he hopes it will cause more of us to trust and turn more fully to him (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11). That’s something I pray I myself will do as well.
In the meantime, like you, I am also trying to figure out how to serve faithfully in these ongoing difficult circumstances. I’d like to mention how Covid-19 affects the Empowering Subjects Training, the Opportunity it provides, and some Practical Ideas for reaching out during it.
The Training
The seminar portion of the program is ideally conducted in person. Pending current circumstances and governmental guidance, I am willing to come do the seminar in person, and work with whatever safety guidelines are appropriate for your situation.
The Opportunity
I concur with the churches who are seeking ways to create more connection with and between their members during the isolation of Covid-19. But the pandemic also creates an opportunity to do what most of us need to be doing more of anyway, namely, reaching out to people who don’t know God. When Paul instructs us to “make the most of every opportunity,” the specific context is outreach (Colossians 4:2-6).
Though the pandemic is not a great time to start a new ministry in some ways, in other ways it is great opportunity:
- The brokenness of the world seems especially clear right now,
- Many believers want to help, don’t know what to do, and so are open to guidance about it, and
- Hardship tends to make people more open to God than usual.
All this means that right now may be an ideal time to prepare ourselves and take some steps toward reaching out to others. I encourage us all to be praying and watching for whatever opportunities the Lord may give you.
Empowering Subjects 