To be a football fan in this time of weirdness is a little bit gut-wrenching. Now it’s a foregone conclusion that when the season starts (and it plans to start on time) there will be no fans in the stands. We all hate being in limbo. Already at least thirty NFL players have tested positive for coronavirus. Maybe they should just “tank” the season in the interest of health, even though the reality, the bottom line ($$$$) will not stand for that.

What of the church? People are trickling back, cautiously testing the waters. So far so good. No mention of sickness or positive test results. We are resigned to the fact that there won’t be many “fans in the stands” for a good long while. This pandemic causes us all to completely re-think how we do business, sports, and church, to name just three gathering occasions. It is hard to not try to steer things by the old methods. Trusting in God, being flexible does not come easy for American Christians and our rugged individualism. “Let go and let God” is much easier said than done. We noticed early on in this time of weirdness, like back in mid-March, that church would not be “business as usual”, perhaps ever again. One of the unexpected blessings for those most active in parish life has been the “vacation” from ministry meetings and physical aspects of keeping the doors open and the lights on. More time for reflection, rest, and devotion. More time to envision what the church could become; what is essential. All the church activity that used to burn us out — is it essential? This presents a golden opportunity to become once again what God really intended us to be: followers, disciples. Maybe “fans in the stands” is not the be-all, end-all. Connecting our passions with the world’s greatest needs is what will enable the church to survive and thrive. The twelve original followers were just that: followers. They came to believe and have faith. The fabric of our society, our nation, will be stronger for it. We will move toward the justice of the kingdom of God here on earth, brought to fruition when Christ returns.

 As we engage in the re-assessment of our lives, we cherish our essential faith. Trusting that God will get us through this. Whether there will be spectator sports this season or not, whether there will be many fannies in the pews, we know that our Good Shepherd will lead us in green pastures and beside still waters, restoring our souls along the way. God’s unconditional love remains, even as he coaxes us from fanhood to discipleship.

Pastor Art