By The Rev. John Wertz
While some days it feels like the only constant during the pandemic has been change, the truth is that God’s love for God’s people has not changed and neither has our connection to one another as God’s people for as Paul reminds us, “we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” (Rm 12:5)
Undoubtably in the future books will be written about the physiological and sociological impact of the pandemic on our culture, but here are a few initial observations that could have an impact on understandings of stewardship.
1. Even More Transactional – One unintended consequence of quarantine protocols has been to heighten the transactional nature of our society. When you only go out to pick up the essentials you need and stay six feet away from others, then most encounters with those outside our bubble of close family and friends are simply transactions with very little social interaction.
Implications for Stewardship:
  • Help God’s people remember that God’s love for us is abundant and generous, not transactional.
  • Help God’s people see how their generosity impacts the whole community.

2. Recognizing the Value of Relationship – For many people, the need to be isolated from one another has highlighted the value of relationships and created a deep yearning to connect with others.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Share stories of connectedness – past, present, and future
  • Use an asset-based approach to help individuals discover ways to connect to and impact the wider community using their gifts

3. Deeper Connections with Fewer People – By the time isolation protocols have finally relaxed, many people will have established a small group of friends and family who have served as their main sources of emotional support and physical interaction.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Help God’s people widen their vision to see more than their small bubble.
  • Opportunities for inviting conversation about stewardship within these naturally existing small groups.

4. New Life Patterns – From wearing masks in public to working remotely, patterns of daily life have changed dramatically, and given the length of the pandemic, many of the changes will become a permanent part of daily life.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Help God’s people see new opportunities to respond to God’s love in their new patterns of daily life
  • Recognize that some established methods of communication, invitation, and response will not return as the pandemic comes under control.

5. Rise of Nostalgia – The Church has always been a place that valued the way we have always done things, but for some, the pandemic has heightened the desire to have everything return to “normal.” While the definition of ‘normal’ will be extremely subjective, the instinct to reclaim practices that worked in the past will likely be heightened and intensified.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Help God’s people see the gifts, strengths, and competencies they currently have, instead of looking for the ones they used to have or think they should have.
  • Look for the bridge between what was and what God is calling us to do now.

6. Social Justice Movement – While some people will be trying to return to ‘normal,’ others who have been inspired by the social justice movement and their faith will be working hard to ensure that we never return to the practices of the past.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Before investing their gifts in a ministry, individuals will be more interested in knowing where a ministry stands on particular issues.
  • Opportunity to invite people into a discussion about how Jesus’ teachings can guide and impact the stewardship of our gifts.

7. Embracing Digital – Even when congregations are able to return to our buildings, the familiarity with digital platforms and the convenience of digital platforms will make a lasting impact on the way we worship, communicate, and share our gifts.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Opening and creating easier access to digital giving will be key for ministries to thrive financially.
  • Digital meetings could allow for greater ministry collaboration between congregations with a similar ministry focus regardless of location.

8. Digital Divide – While the pandemic has accelerated the move to digital, it has also exposed the growing digital divide between the digital haves and have nots. In the rush to embrace digital tools, ministries must not lose sight of those who aren’t able to access the digital world.

Implications for Stewardship:

  • Create opportunities for those with familiarity and access to the digital world to support those without familiarity and access.
  • Plan to share the same stories of ministry, thank yous, and requests for support in digital and hard copy formats.

If you are interested in receiving more resources and information on Stewardship During a Pandemic, sign up for our week-long email series which will begin on October 5, 2020! To sign up, click here and select “Virginia Synod Stewardship Resources” or email Emily Pilat at pilat@vasynod.org to be included.