Effects of Covid on the Christian Life

When a final postmortem of the short and long term effects of Covid is done, I wonder what the findings will be. There is no doubt that Covid has affected a lot of people health-wise, it has also left damages physically, socially, and emotionally. One effect of Covid that has gone under the radar is how it has left believers in spiritual ruins. The inability to gather with other believers for weeks, months and in some cases a year plus, has left several Christians and churches struggling. It is my observation that different people have been affected differently depending on where the covid changes found them spiritually.

Firstly there are those whose spiritual life was hanging on by the thread before Covid. They attended meetings occasionally; they barely touched their Bibles and rarely prayed to their Father. They were spiritually cold, one would say, they had no spiritual vitality.   And the moment the closures and isolations began, they were quickly swallowed up into the abyss of worldly cares. When the opportunity to return appeared, they had no motivation or desire. They just do not abscond from fellowship, they are comfortable with it. It is to these that the Lord calls out to examine themselves and see if they are in the faith. Furthermore, it is these that the Lord exhorts to awake from their slumber. Finally, it is these who were among us and spiritually have left us that we as a body must urgently and lovingly pursue, so they may return to the fold.

Some were vibrant and passionate. They were sold out and sacrificial in their service and pursuit of God. After the covid effect, they fell into a state of lukewarmness and indifference. They now want a comfortable and convenient Christianity. They are comfortable with virtual meetings or shortened services. They are used to gathering with others without relating with them because they have become accustomed to rushing off after the service and not hosting anyone in their homes. These dear friends need to return to their first love. They need to be reminded that to follow Christ is to take up the cross and deny yourself. They need to hear the exhortation to spend and be spent for the sake of Jesus Christ. They need to make up their minds, are they in or they are out? Do you know such a brother or sister? Provoke them to love and good works.

Some despaired during the restrictions. They longed for the gathering of the saints. They felt the void and knew this is not the ideal Christian life. They were frustrated with virtual meetings because they are a shallow replacement for physical gatherings. The period of isolation and restrictions was a moment for reflection in their lives. They came out of it resolved to serve their master until he returns or calls them home. They took stock of their lives and dealt with entanglements that easily ensnare them. This time helped them to appreciate their family and church family. And the first moment they had to return, they did so with grateful eagerness and resolve. These brothers and sisters do not need to grow weary in doing well, neither do they need to become complacent. They should press on the upward way. Lastly, they should reach out to those who may have fallen along the way.

Dear Chrisitan, there is work to be done. And though the picture may look dire, our work and mission remain the same. The Spirit of God who works and enables us remains the same. The word of God is still powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. The postmortem may be depressing, but dear saint, why are you downcast? And why are you in turmoil? Hope in God, for he will surely revive his people. 

Four Types of Men in Leadership

 Biblical leadership is vital. It has been from the very beginning. The success of any institution in faithfully fulfilling their purpose be it the home, the church, organisations and nations are directly connected to the kind of leader(s) they have. It is, therefore, no surprise that leadership has always been under attack. Sometimes it is sadly abused by those entrusted with it, or it is undermined by those threatened by it. Either way, the devil and the world understand the significance of leadership, hence the systematic and deliberate effort to attack it.

At this point, we have to ask the question, what is biblical leadership? Leadership can be summed up in two words, responsibility and influence. To lead is to be responsible for a task and for a people, and to skillfully wield godly influence on those under your care. In responsibility, the leader is held accountable for the state and direction of the people they are leading. In other words, they are to blame when the institution fails. The first couple is a good case in point. When the Lord evaluated the situation, he found Adam guilty because he was the leader, the head of his wife. So, to lead is firstly to be responsible. Secondly, to lead is to influence those under our care for God. Our godly character must have a lasting impact on them, but it also means we are intentionally teaching them the truth of God’s word that we know and live out. To lead is to be responsible and influential.

It, therefore, goes without saying that leadership is not primarily a title or a position. There are many instances in the home, the church and government where the one who has the title is not the one leading because they are irresponsible and do not wield the influence they should. Furthermore, leadership is not about being served and enjoying the benefits of the position. It is common for people to think if they become the head everyone else exists to do their bidding. That is not biblical leadership.

In God’s design, men are called to be leaders (i.e. be responsible and exert godly influence) in the home and in the church. It is, therefore, imperative that men strive to be godly and responsible. Society has been working hard to undermine the leadership of men but also to undo the virtues in them that are necessary for leadership. Allow me to highlight four kinds of men commonly found in the church and in our society. 

 All talk, no action

These are the daydreamers. They do not have plans but wishes. They love unending meetings and discussions. They make resolutions yearly only to remake them the following year. They make grand promises and vows but never fulfil them. If they went by what they say, they would transform their families and beyond. Alas, as someone once said, “the road to hell is paved with men with good intentions.” The grave is full of people who had great ideas, plans and desires but never acted on them. These men die at 50 with the potential they had at 20. They talk but never act and end up frustrating the people they lead.

 All action, no talk

Then you have the doers. The lone ranger with the master plan. They do not share ideas or plans. They do not solicit feedback or input. Those they lead simply see things are getting done. They do not know how or why. This kind of leader feels it is their job to do things and do them by themselves. They move alone and ahead and leave the people they are leading behind. They do not invest in anyone they lead. They do not train or disciple, hence when they die or leave, no one knows where to start from and the family, ministry or organization crumbles because they never communicated and shared their plans. 

 No talk, no action

Then we have those who somehow manage to combine the two. They do not talk and they do not act. They are passive and aloof. They have no plans or visions and they have no drive. This is seen in the single young man who never states his intentions to a girl but is content with chatting with her daily on social media. It is also seen in the husband and father who is glued to the TV and his gadgets while he watches his family go astray. It is further seen in church leaders who are reactive and not proactive. In addition, it is seen in civic leaders with no stated vision or plan.

 All talk and all action

Not so for the biblical leader. He is responsible. He takes initiative and ownership. He communicates the vision and plan. He gets input and feedback from the teammates, whether it’s a spouse, fellow leaders or workmates. But he does not end there, he is driven and committed to getting things done and targets met. There is talk and implementation. Nehemiah is an example of such a leader, he prayed, had a plan, shared the plan and got into action. That is leadership! Taking responsibility and wielding godly influence.

Dear Christian men, rise up! Stand up for Jesus. Put on the gospel armour. Take responsibility and influence the world for Christ.

 

THREE THINGS BIBLE SCHOOL DIDN’T TEACH ME

I have been privileged to pass through four Bible schools and receive theological training. There is a focused sharpening that school gives you that if rightly used can be a great blessing. It is worth stating that Bible schools do not make pastors, churches do. The discipleship instruction in 2 Timothy 2:2, “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” is given in the context of the local church. With that said, Bible schools are a helpful complement to churches in training men. They come alongside churches in training men for the work of ministry. Last week I shared three things I learnt from Bible school, this week I will share three things I did not learn from Bible school.

1. The complicated nature of life and ministry

When you read textbooks and discuss principles in class, things are often black and white and the ideal is presented and assumed. However, the moment you step out of the classroom you discover that life and ministry are not black and white or even ideal. It is those unforeseen and unexpected circumstances that one has to navigate through regularly. Matters of ethics can get complicated very quickly when real lives are involved!

2. The slow nature of growth

In discussing ministry philosophy and methodology in Bible school, you often talk about steps to follow and procedures to apply in order to have success. It sounds straightforward such that Bible school graduates often end up overestimating their abilities and the impact, they will have if they follow these steps. When you jump into the trenches of ministry, you soon realise that progress and growth is often a slow process and the minister, like the farmer must exercise patience and play the long game.

3. The emotional investment involved

Furthermore, a classroom can never prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster that life is. You have to learn to minister while rejoicing, grieving, mourning, despairing or experiencing the blues. I remember one day, I had to officiate a wedding and conduct a funeral in one morning. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions!

I am thankful for the many lessons I learnt in theological schools. I gained valuable tools for ministry. However, the classroom and textbooks have their limitations. There are some things you can only learn while doing life with others in the context of the local church.