The response to COVID-19 has left many of us wondering how to live in this new normal. Sunday morning gatherings have been replaced with live online streams. Community Groups are meeting digitally through online meeting providers. Ministry communication and discipleship has transitioned to phone calls, emails, texts, and pre-recorded videos. While this new reality leads to more questions than answers, certain things never change.
The Unchanging Nature of God’s Promises
Our God continues to be the Sovereign Lord over all things. He is all-knowing and all-powerful, and as such, we can fully trust his character and purposes. The finished work of Christ on the cross and his victorious resurrection from the dead also provide us with great assurance. He has overcome sin and death on our behalf, and our enemy has been defeated and stripped of his power. His Word continues to be perfect and sure, reviving our souls, providing wisdom, and rejoicing our hearts. These unchanging realities serve as the foundation of our faith. They provide stability, confidence, and assurance in times of uncertainty. But they should also lead us to continue living out the purpose of the church.
The Unchanging Purpose of the Church
God has redeemed us as “a people for his own possession” that we may now proclaim his excellencies (1 Pet. 2:9). As new creations in Christ, we have been entrusted with the ministry and message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-19). Filled with the Holy Spirit, we have been called to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Delegated with the authority of Christ, we are sent into the world to make disciples (Matt. 28:18-19; John 20:21). The purpose of the Church remains the same, even in the face of crisis. As Summit Church, our mission to glorify God by making disciples who represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child continues to lead us as God’s people.
Equipped to Live as God’s People
As we adjust to the new normal in response to COVID-19, the primary question now becomes, how will we live as God’s people in the world? In an effort to equip Summit Church, we will be providing specific resources in the coming weeks that will empower us to live out our mission. One of those primary resources is an online Discipleship Essentials course which will teach us how to reflect our values and outcomes during this season. Additional resources will include podcasts, blogs, and other online tools to help us live as faithful ambassadors of Christ. The result, we pray, will be a people equipped to represent the gospel to every man, woman, and child in the unique places where we live, work, and play.
- Michael Girado