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The Return of the Post-Covid Prodigal Son
The Return of the Post-Covid Prodigal Sons?
Post-covid, did you stay home? Post-covid, many churches experienced growth while others dwindled. This includes denominations and local congregations. This can be partly explained with logistics, because smaller churches shut down totally because people went to larger congregations. Those with 250 plus grew! Luke 12:48 shows those have been given much, much will be required. I can’t help but wonder if there is a deeper, spiritual reason for either dwindling or expanding?
Post-covid, Holiness and Pentecostal churches grew. These denominations are not cessationists, so we can naturally understand their attraction. Struggling people hoped for miracles. However, statistics show other cessationists churches grew, so hoping for miracles might be a surface meaning, but isn’t the deeper reason why some churches grew while others stagnated or died. Many local congregations are still waiting for what might never happen – the return of the prodigal sons.
I have no statistical polls as to why some grew and others dwindled yet let me try to deduce at least one reason. The answer is found in the phrase, “church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15). Some lost loved ones and friends during covid. Others watched in denial the statistics showing death. Death and living with long-covid brought an emptiness. Because of death, people need to believe in a “living” God!
Individuals need faith. The type of faith that is transformative. The type of faith that transcends excuses. The type of faith that takes the emptiness within and fills with meaning and purpose.
Churches must help individuals gain knowledge, but developing faith must be what that knowledge does. Knowledge which simply develops the attitude, “We are right; they are wrong” is not enough to defeat a post-covid spiritual morbidity. True faith goes beyond sitting in a pew or watching services through streaming, True faith focuses on a personal relationship with a God who cares and with those who care about you and God. Congregations need love shown and not just preached.
If you are still staying away, is it because you have knowledge, but don’t have a faith that transforms, transcends, and fills that aching need? God’s Church gives structure and stability. We all need our local congregations. We are part of God’s household (1 Timothy 3:15). Come back and go forward in true knowledge, faith, hope, and love (1 Cor.13:13).
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