Disruptions can be planned and used by God to get our attention . He uses them to help us refocus . They cause us to move from autopilot to grabbing the wheel and becoming fully engaged . To think out of the box . To reimagine and become creative in doing things in new ways , with different people , with fewer resources . Disruptions can be exactly what ’ s needed to get us back on track . — Jeff Wilson
Hart : We ’ ve gotten very proficient at putting together and disseminating worship broadcasts . Our worship team has taken on many new roles this year . They ’ ve done an excellent job creating worship opportunities for folks , whether they ’ re gathered on campus or connecting from home .
Phil Taylor : We hosted multiple outdoor prayer gatherings during the warmer months , and our Christmas concert was also held this way . They were well-attended , well-loved events , as people were able to socially distance but also see friends face-to-face . It created such a fun atmosphere .
Coughran : We invested in an outdoor venue on our campus with a covered area where people can assemble ; it was completed in January . Not only is there an immediate need for a space like this , but we also realize that many people will be hesitant to meet indoors even after this crisis passes .
As you and your team look forward to 2021 , what are you most excited about ?
Wilson : We look forward to the day when we can move forward without fear , social distancing and masks . Yes , it ’ s been a very difficult time and stretched us in ways we never imagined . We ’ re thankful for what God has done in and through this pandemic . He ’ s also shown us some things we needed to see . We have taken this time and used it to evaluate and prioritize our staff , time and ministries . We look forward to the end of the pandemic so we can move on to the new season of ministry He has planned for us .
Sarah Taylor : I look forward to coming out of this stronger than we were before . We ’ ve found and developed new skills , had deeper conversations about what it means to be a church , cut out excess , and gone back to the basics for discipleship . We ’ re taking this moment to rebuild , restructure and reorganize departments that we realize now weren ’ t as effective as they could be . It ’ s hard to change the habits of an 85-year-old church ! Sometimes an outside force is needed , if not entirely wanted . We keep saying COVID-19 “ broke the box .” Now , we ’ re forced to think outside of it .
Phil Taylor : 2020 will forever change how we operate — in a good way . In 1999 , our church building was destroyed by a tornado . It took 20 months to rebuild and get back into the building . We ’ ve been displaced before and learned so many lessons in the storm .
Twenty years later , we find ourselves displaced and disoriented from a different type of storm . However , God was faithful then , and God is faithful now . We keep learning and growing and building for the future . We have no desire to simply get back to where we were pre-pandemic ; we want to take what we ’ ve learned and grow from it .
Pritchard : The in-person interaction and direct ministry involvement is what I ’ m thirsty for .
Coughran : I ’ m looking forward to being a part of a team that will take this enthusiasm and momentum and build our church into one which unchurched people love to attend . We don ’ t assume everything will go back to normal when this pandemic has passed . I ’ m looking forward to a leaner , more strategic church that faithfully pursues our mission of equipping one another to bring the wholeness of Jesus to a broken world .
Kautzky : We long for the day to be able to connect with our church body in person . We were created in God ’ s image to be in relationship with one another , and it has been a tremendous challenge not to have daily / weekly / monthly events and services to do life together . In this same vein , our transition to a 100-percent virtual church has produced growth . We look forward to seeing all the new faces who ’ ve never stepped foot inside any of our facilities .
How will your ministries and church operations look different in 2021 and beyond ?
Hart : I hope we ’ ve learned and adapted so we shed some bad habits and gain some new efficiencies . We ’ ve certainly focused in on which programs aren ’ t necessary and pulled them from the plan .
The Holy Spirit hasn ’ t run out of creativity ! If we keep allowing Him to breathe fresh ideas and creative solutions into our current crisis , I think we ’ ll find ways to keep engaging our communities , loving people , reaching the lost , making disciples , serving others , and — above all — honoring Jesus in all we do . — Phil Taylor
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