As I write this, it’s a Friday morning.

Our county schools have canceled in-person instruction (all remote learning today) because they are concerned about their teachers and students being able to get to school.

From their statement:

“Due to the impact of the gas shortage on staffing availability and student transportation,“

(North Carolina is currently experiencing gas shortages.)

Yet, many churches did not cancel in- person services on Wednesday night.

Now… look at this through the lens of an unsaved/unchurched person. 

Unsaved people typically reach a place of need, a place where they feel empty, or alone. It can be minor or major, but it’s there – the hole in their hearts where Jesus should be.

We, church people, scream from the rooftops, “you need Jesus!” It’s true. They do.

Now let’s jump back to current events. 

There are people anxious, maybe scared.

Heck, if I didn’t have Jesus + church people in my life I would be anxious and scared. I’m calculating the number of trips I have to take over the next few days and seeing closed gas pumps… and so there are granola bars, bottled water, blankets, and blood pressure meds in my car. Don’t think I’m kidding.

So we’ve got nervous, anxious, and scared unchurched people.

And our county school system canceled in-person instruction because they are concerned for their staff and parents of students.

Churches had the chance to lead the way on this on Wednesday night. They didn’t.

24 hours later, our county school system showed more care & concern for people than churches.

Think about what that communicates to the non-Christian. (We’re still looking through that lens.)

They’ve just been told the government cares about them more than a church does.

Why would they ever need or want a church? Why would they ever need or want a church family? Why would they ever need or want a relationship with Jesus?

This is the real battle we’re fighting, Christians, and if we don’t jump out ahead of it, we’re going to lose.

Or maybe we already have.

2020 was….

well…

2020.

I jumped and didn’t look back. (See previous blog post.)

And then…COVID.

And like so many others, Covid impacted our lives. From new work schedules, less hours, and new school schedules, our lives were impacted in both positive and negative ways.

Every day brought more uncertainty, but with one certainty: we trust God.

And one thing I grew to love was couch church. Or as I named it, “The Church @ Marcy’s Couch.”

The benefits of couch church:

+ No commute

+ Coffee and way I want it

+ Dress code: pajamas

+ Super-comfy chairs

+ And if the Pastor says something I disagree with, I can mute him, or “attend a new church”

Everyone wanted to get back to normal. Me? I’m good with this.

But late in 2020, I realized I missed – and needed – a church family.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my family. I do. But something was missing.

But, like so many others, the time in quarantine gave us a chance to re-evaluate our priorities. What was God calling our family to do, and most importantly, where was He calling us to do it?

Each of us was on a different page, and we took some time figuring out where we needed to be.

But we’ve finally found a church to call home in 2021…and beyond…

We’re excited about what’s next.

Would I rather be home on Sunday mornings?

Truthfully, yes. I like my coffee + couch way better than the church coffee and pews. I’ve jokingly told the Pastor we’re game for opening a second campus.

In my living room.

And maybe not so jokingly.

I’m thinking of signing up to be the online host. Every week. Seriously thinking…

There are still a lot of unknowns, but we do know two things now: we trust God + we have a church to call home.