“Watch for the new thing I am going to do.
It is happening already - you can see it now!” Isaiah 43:19
The recent CDC decision allowing
optional masking for the fully vaccinated is a noteworthy waypoint in our
return to the next normal following this pandemic.
As history shows us, we’ve weathered many of the same issues that churches faced during the Spanish Flu of 1918-1919. You’ll find the comparisons laid out from the blogsite THINK (the link to the specific article is below).
While the parallels are fascinating, it got me wondering: what can we learn from that time to better advance the ministry of Jesus Christ?
About the only thing a quick Google search turned up is: “church will be different.”
Maybe it’s best for us to think of this time ‘between the shutdowns of the pandemic but not yet at the next normal’ as a kind of Sabbath?
This was written by Rev. Fletcher Parrish nearly 100 years ago during the Spanish flu:
“…the rush of the world is so great at present that very little time is given to cogitation and reflection…
However, we have a God-given opportunity for this helpful indulgence by reason of this unique Sabbath which has dawned upon us. Out of necessity our churches are closed, and all public gatherings must be discontinued. We cannot go motoring, and we would not go to business if we could, and even the fields are dangerous…
But we can sit by the fire and give ourselves to thought and reflection which will bring great profit to us.”
Whether that post-pandemic difference is small or big is unknown, and I suspect it also depends upon each particular church. Perhaps more will come out over the coming weeks and months?
In the face of the unanswered question; might this be a God-given role for us to shape the story of God?
Together We Serve, Pastor Mike
article link: https://thinktheology.co.uk/blog/article/weve_been_here_before_lessons_from_the_churchs_responses_to_the_spanish_flu