Pastor's Blog: The 'Next' Normal
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Ever since COVID–19 exploded on the scene with all its disruptive strength, we’ve seen adjustments forced upon us in every aspect of life. Businesses have shut down and reopened in a different way. Sports leagues suspended their seasons and some of them are only now resuming competition, but with a very different schedule. Who knows what will happen with schools and football as we move toward the fall? And of course, churches have had to alter their ministries in response to the novel coronavirus.
Many have lumped these disruptions under the category of the “new normal.” In other words, because they have lasted far longer than any of us might have expected, we’d better get used to the disruptions. Chances are that life won’t return to what we were accustomed to for a good while, if they ever will.
While I understand the likelihood of life not going back to the “old normal,” I’m not sure that speaking of a “new” one is the best way for us to move forward into what we all agree is an uncertain future. The notion of a “new normal” still strikes me as a static view, when if the last several months have taught us anything, it’s that our present situation is a most fluid one. So, rather than speak of a “new normal” that will likely give way to something different in the days ahead, I’m preparing myself by looking toward a “next normal” – one that will simply be the latest adjustment in a series of adjustments we will be required to make.
That’s where I am with respect to months ahead at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. As you know, we’re resuming our gathered worship this Sunday morning, June 14, with two services, a traditional at 9 a.m. and a contemporary at 11 a.m., both of which will be livestreamed. We’ve explained the numerous changes that are in place for this “next” phase. I won’t call it “next normal” yet because I’m certain it will take us a while to get accustomed to it. But considering where things stand from a public health perspective, worship registrations, face coverings, a lack of congregational singing, social distancing, and a host of other guidelines are the protocols that will ensure the best experience of gathered worship we can provide. I am hopeful that worship won’t be this way forever, but for now (and for the foreseeable future) it will; hence the term “next normal.”
I’m choosing to look at this current time as an opportunity to demonstrate my confidence in God’s ability to see us through whatever lies ahead, and I invite you to do the same. A “next normal” attitude suggests that come what may, we’re going to believe that God will be at work in every challenge and every opportunity. After all, despite how we might desire for everything always to stay the same, they never do. But folk of faith, if they are willing to do so, can see the hand of God’s Providence in every change, adjustment, and alteration. I see that attitude as the best one for our church to take so that we might greet what comes “next” with hope, peace, and joy.
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24).