7 Keys to Moving Forward Positively

As numbers begin to spike again there are all sorts of emotions pressing in on leaders and how to process. Our studies at TJI Research have shown a number of trends and revealed some data we believe is useful. But the biggest thing they reveal is that autonomy is still king among congregations and we, therefore, are all over the place. 

The monster source of conflict seems to be to mask or not to mask. From one congregation where a deacon had to be restrained, to another that split over masking, masks seem to highlight pre-existing conflicts. While the above examples are extreme, I have not talked with a church yet that has not had some level of confusion over masks. If a church decides to not require masks some get heated that they are not following the science and don’t love their people. If they determine masks are required others will retort that they are only playing into the hands of politics. Some congregations are requiring masks be worn until people sit and a few have totally gone back into isolation and virtual services over this issue. Most, by a little over a half are “encouraging” masks to be worn. 

Regardless of when they come back the majority of churches experience about 40-50% of pre-COVID attendance the first week back and that number will typically grow over the next two months till they hit about 70-75% return. These numbers are skewed depending on whether the congregation is rural or urban and the size of the church. Medium sized churches (100-250) tend toward coming back quicker. More rural congregations tend to come back MUCH quicker. 

Over 80% of our congregations are now using disposable communion supplies, a trend that many feel will remain (NOTE: The process of how communion is taken has changes several times brotherhood wide over the last 150 years: i.e. One {typically two} cups, glass communion ware, plastic communion cups, bread baked, bread bought, “chiclets,” gluten-free bread, etc). A number of churches report that this change has made the process, i.e. passing plates, take less time and has therefore allowed them to spend MORE time in devotional focus on the communion. 

Churches went from a passive feeling about online giving. Pre-COVID less then 20% of our congregations provided the opportunity to give online and those that did less than 20% of their giving was from this method. Today roughly 60% provide this opportunity and of those who do nearly 50% of their offering come in online. About 90% of congregations are giving 75% or more of their pre-COVID offerings with nearly 35% at 100% or greater. 

Let’s face it. You are going to move forward - the future is going to come - the question is how are you going to move forward? A number of congregations have continued to grow over the last three quarters. Here are a few observations for leaders going forward.

Generally, churches that have done well:

1 - Have a united leadership: The telltale sign of failure is when the leaderships differing views make themselves obvious in confusion and conflict. Those congregations where, even though there might be differing opinions, are committed to not being divided will come back stronger. Those that don’t are going to struggle. And, while you may believe that heated, unresolved conflict stays “in the room,” it doesn’t. I might add this is true for the elders AND ministers. Stay together!

2 - Have a plan that addresses concerns: What that plan does not seem to be as important as having one and communicating it clearly. 

3 - Be flexible: Things will change. If leaders are not prepared to adjust as those changes come and to adjust quickly the lack of leadership will be noted and it will affect the return. 

4 - Do not over emphasize concerns: While the plan needs to be communicated clearly if you focus on it too much people will, it appears, get skittish. Churches with page after page or rules and restrictions ARE NOT COMING BACK well. While some leaderships seem to think that the more cautions they take the more people will appreciate it, the stats show that churches who over do this are making their people fearful. One church of over 1000 members is still about about 30% of their people returning. They have all sorts of rules and guidelines that would scare anyone. State the plan and then go forward. 

5 - Stay optimistic: Why should we not? More than one family who has come our way during this time has stated that the primary reason they came our way was the optimistic attitude we have presented. Staying optimistic does not mean you think you have it all figured out or that you have no concerns, it just means you stay optimistic in the midst of whatever the circumstance is.

6 - Deal with challenges asap: Churches that do well address controversy and challenges quickly. 

7 - Be transparent: Are you unsure, a little concerned, not positive the path you’ve charted is the best? Admit it. Did someone test positive for COVID, report it. 

As I close I want to express a deep appreciation for leaders in the Lord’s Family. This has not always been an easy time to lead. None of us have experienced anything remotely similar to this. Thank you for what you are trying to do. I pray that some of this is helpful. Be encouraged. God is still God and is still sovereign.