Quick Note: I’m not suggesting that a robust digital presence is problematic in and of itself. I believe every church should take advantage of every channel available to spread the Gospel and make disciples. I WILL argue that our digital footprint should be a step and a supplement, not a substitute, for in-person engagements.
Group Two: The “I missed a year of church, and my life isn’t any worse” group
This is the category that worries me the most — BY FAR. I’m worried about them, their children, and the generations to follow. This group isn’t back in the building. And they don’t seem to be online, either. They aren’t back at small group or outdoor events. And they aren’t at other churches. They are at ball fields, the lake, and at home enjoying coffee and a slower-paced Sunday morning.
These are the formerly churched people who are on the cusp of officially becoming de-churched altogether.
Why aren’t these people remaining engaged with the local church? What happened? Why did they so easily walk away? I fear they disengaged from the local church during the pandemic and nothing in their life got worse. They aren’t coming back because they didn’t miss it. And apparently, they didn’t need it. When you think about it, why would they come back? Possibly what they were getting at church wasn’t worth their time, energy, and effort after all.
Of course, WE know better, but if they don’t feel the pain of being gone from church, they aren’t coming back.
As a pastor and a leader, the pandemic taught me so much. It caused me to evaluate everything we do as a church and why were are doing it. I don’t have all the answers (I do have plenty of guesses), but I do know it’s up to us to discover the next version of church that meets needs in a way that is needed.
I do know this for sure:
1. We can’t recapture the hearts of the MICAs with entertaining church services. Culture is full of entertainment.
2. We can’t win MICAs back with content. Content is literally everywhere. Today, I can listen to anything from any church without leaving my phone.
3. We can’t get MICAS back by only offering great ministry for their children. That worked in the past, but I fear that time has come and gone. The MICAs may see travel baseball as a valid replacement.
The post-pandemic church must offer an alternative to culture that provides meaningful connection and a challenge worthy of the calling.
That’s what I’ve concluded. And it’s going to take us transforming our models, methods, and strategies. We must think about connection over content. We need more realness. We need more honesty. We need to create a church that people actually miss when they miss.
The Gospel is worth it. And it’s time that we do it.
This article originally appeared here.
