Letter to the Editor: Post-Pandemic Priorities

“He (Christ) gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). As recent provincial and federal guidelines allow communities and congregations to return to some sense of normal, pastors and people will be asking themselves: “What should come first?”

Most would agree that worship services, both Word and Sacrament, should be restored first. But what should come next? As a retired pastor without any obligations other than my own family, I have had opportunity to visit by phone, email, and face-time—with the occasional parking lot, masked, six-foot away, conversation—with fellow Christians and members of our church family. Most of them decry the lack of fellowship. They miss seeing long-time friends face-to-face with all the smiles, wrinkles, and even grimaces that show our real feelings. Christian fellowship is important to most folks, and it is more than can be described even in the old stand-by, “Blest Be the Tie that Binds” (LSB 649).

I suggest, however, that our secondary priority needs to be evangelism. We need to do everything we can to reach out to family, friends, and neighbours who are eager to hear some really good news with lasting benefits. Most of our congregations are organized around five functions: worship, nurture (Christian education), outreach (evangelism), stewardship, and fellowship. Some pastors are familiar with the Reaching People for Christ: Evangelism Resource Book prepared by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod back in 1970. While Christian education comes before evangelism even in that manual, we need to focus our resources—especially time and people—on the most-important task of reaching those who have struggled under the shadow of death for too long.

I can think of a number of activities that would be timely and beneficial, but I’m sure every pastor, teacher, deacon, elder, or church member can think of those things that will be most helpful in their own unique circumstances. So the questions remain: “What should we do first? Or second?” It isn’t about me or you. It’s about building up the Body of Christ.

Rev. Chuck Cooley, pastor emeritus, Penticton, B.C.