Immunity Community
I don’t know about all of you, but, right now, I am extra happy that Jesus never meant for the “the church” to be a building. He did not call us to attend Him, He called us to follow Him. This means that no matter our current level of social distancing, we are all still The Body. We are all still woven together with the beautiful strands of His presence.
Right now, if you identify as a follower of Christ, you are His representative on Earth (no pressure). This calling doesn’t cease to exist just because you are stuck at home with your spouse, your kids, or your dog. How can we be Jesus to the world when the world is semi-off limits at the moment? Here are a few ways I’m considering:
Social Media
In Romans 14, Paul talks about not causing another believer to stumble by putting a hindrance in front of them (vs. 13 - 19). He was specifically talking about food in this context, but I think it can apply to us in a different way. Social media is not sinful, in fact, it’s a very useful tool - especially now when you’re catching up on all the memes your friends are posting about toilet paper. Yet, our actions on social platforms can cause other people to stumble.
Think of your most recent interactions on Instagram or Facebook. Did you spend your time encouraging others - maybe liking their photos, commenting on how creative they were with their time, or sending them a video to make them laugh? Or, did you lash out at their political post, question their parenting judgement, or criticize their health remedies?
Be especially aware of your online presence right now. The world is passing around enough fear, hate, and judgement. Find ways to shine your light in the darkness even while you’re scrolling.
Your Home
If you are married, and/or have children, your ministry priority is right in front of you. You have extra time right now to focus on building a positive relationship with your family. Don’t dwell on the mistakes you’ve made already - we all have moments when our patience is tested in even the best of circumstances. Instead, pray for kindness and self-control. Ask God for creative ways to reconnect with your spouse or to start conversations with your teenager. When it goes awry, apologize, give grace, ask for forgiveness and give it generously. Remember that when we have been given much, much is expected to be given (Luke 12:48).
If you are single, you may or may not live with someone else who is a physical reminder of your ministry, but your home life is still important. Use this extra time to connect with the One who knows you more intimately than anyone else. How can you share this love with your neighbors, or anyone who may be near you?
Your Church Family
Friends, we are only separated by physical distance. Nothing else. We can still encourage our church family. We can still pray for each other. We can still text/call/video chat to check in. We can find other ways to show affection that go beyond hugs or handshakes. We can offer to mow lawns, deliver groceries, give gifts, or drive to someone’s house to wave ecstatically at them through the window.
This season is difficult for me. I love chatting over a giant cups of tea, going to the office and interacting with the other staff, or even just gathering my friends because there is a really dumb movie we should watch and make fun of together. Despite this, I am actually excited to see how God will use this time. How amazing would it be if we could learn to be a better church because we were forced to be creative with our love?
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you have been doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). No matter when services or ministry meetings start up as usual, let us all be aware of our calling in such a time as this.
*If you would like to volunteer to help some of our church members who may be especially vulnerable during this time, sign up on our website with your name, availability, and how you can help.
Also, if you’ve been prayerfully considering how you can get more involved at RCC in the future, now might be the perfect time to talk about where that could be! Email me at [email protected] and I’d be happy to talk about a good fit.
-Amanda Hertzler, RCC Ministries and Serve Coach
Right now, if you identify as a follower of Christ, you are His representative on Earth (no pressure). This calling doesn’t cease to exist just because you are stuck at home with your spouse, your kids, or your dog. How can we be Jesus to the world when the world is semi-off limits at the moment? Here are a few ways I’m considering:
Social Media
In Romans 14, Paul talks about not causing another believer to stumble by putting a hindrance in front of them (vs. 13 - 19). He was specifically talking about food in this context, but I think it can apply to us in a different way. Social media is not sinful, in fact, it’s a very useful tool - especially now when you’re catching up on all the memes your friends are posting about toilet paper. Yet, our actions on social platforms can cause other people to stumble.
Think of your most recent interactions on Instagram or Facebook. Did you spend your time encouraging others - maybe liking their photos, commenting on how creative they were with their time, or sending them a video to make them laugh? Or, did you lash out at their political post, question their parenting judgement, or criticize their health remedies?
Be especially aware of your online presence right now. The world is passing around enough fear, hate, and judgement. Find ways to shine your light in the darkness even while you’re scrolling.
Your Home
If you are married, and/or have children, your ministry priority is right in front of you. You have extra time right now to focus on building a positive relationship with your family. Don’t dwell on the mistakes you’ve made already - we all have moments when our patience is tested in even the best of circumstances. Instead, pray for kindness and self-control. Ask God for creative ways to reconnect with your spouse or to start conversations with your teenager. When it goes awry, apologize, give grace, ask for forgiveness and give it generously. Remember that when we have been given much, much is expected to be given (Luke 12:48).
If you are single, you may or may not live with someone else who is a physical reminder of your ministry, but your home life is still important. Use this extra time to connect with the One who knows you more intimately than anyone else. How can you share this love with your neighbors, or anyone who may be near you?
Your Church Family
Friends, we are only separated by physical distance. Nothing else. We can still encourage our church family. We can still pray for each other. We can still text/call/video chat to check in. We can find other ways to show affection that go beyond hugs or handshakes. We can offer to mow lawns, deliver groceries, give gifts, or drive to someone’s house to wave ecstatically at them through the window.
This season is difficult for me. I love chatting over a giant cups of tea, going to the office and interacting with the other staff, or even just gathering my friends because there is a really dumb movie we should watch and make fun of together. Despite this, I am actually excited to see how God will use this time. How amazing would it be if we could learn to be a better church because we were forced to be creative with our love?
“Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you have been doing” (1 Thess. 5:11). No matter when services or ministry meetings start up as usual, let us all be aware of our calling in such a time as this.
*If you would like to volunteer to help some of our church members who may be especially vulnerable during this time, sign up on our website with your name, availability, and how you can help.
Also, if you’ve been prayerfully considering how you can get more involved at RCC in the future, now might be the perfect time to talk about where that could be! Email me at [email protected] and I’d be happy to talk about a good fit.
-Amanda Hertzler, RCC Ministries and Serve Coach
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Becoming a Financial Steward 4: The Game-ChangerSpiritual Practices Video, Part 2Working "Remotely" For the KingdomBecoming a Financial Steward 5: Breaking Up With Sallie MaeSpiritual Practices, Part 3Sharing Jesus During COVID-1920 Ways to Apply God’s Truth to Your Financial CrisisBecoming a Financial Steward 6: The Big DiscoverySpiritual Practices, Part 4Becoming a Financial Steward 7: Setting the TableSpiritual Practices, Part 5
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