In the past three weeks, like much of the world, Key Ministry has been completely absorbed in coronavirus: how we can meet the needs of the churches and families we are called to serve. It’s been a pretty wild ride.
If you follow our work, you may notice a shift this week in some of the resources we’re offering to help families and churches get through the ripple effects of Coronavirus, towards an emphasis on mental health. That’s deliberate, because we are already concerned about the tsunami of mental health needs that will emerge as the rates of Coronavirus infection increase across America.
We recommend that you read this post by Ed Stetzer, linked here and on our Coronavirus resource page. If you’re a church leader, we also strongly encourage you to watch this video interview of several pastors and ministry leaders from Spain and Italy.
Both of these resources will help you and your team with the next phase of Coronavirus impacts. Some of the points below are condensed from recommendations by the European pastors, who are several weeks ahead of North America regarding the spread of the pandemic; some of the points are excerpted from our ministry conversations in the past three weeks.
Photo credit: Wikipedia.
Here are four areas where churches can sharpen their focus ahead of the increase in mental health needs:
1 - Provide hope and inspiration. People are fearful and hungry for the hope that is only found in relationship with Jesus. In addition to your online services, small groups and connections to your membership, share stories of lives changed by relationship with Christ, as well as stories of how Christ comforts us in times of trouble. It’s easier for people who don’t follow Jesus to understand what a difference He makes if they can see what He’s done for others. And it will be an important reminder for even the faithful members in your flock that God is present with us in our trials.
2 - Provide your primary support to those who God has called you to serve. Stay connected to your faith community first. Make prayer ministry an important part of your online ministry. Before your community is touched by a Coronavirus death, fill your flock’s spiritual reserves with truths from God’s Word, and connections with others in your church community. And encourage them as they share their fears and anxiety, that God is with us in our suffering.
3 - Provide avenues for your people to serve. While most of us can’t leave our homes except for essential work, seek volunteers from among the college and high school students who are now at home, or from people who are suddenly unemployed. Students are often eager to get out of the house and can help deliver meals and groceries to homebound people. If you can still access your church, use the kitchen to prepare meals. Unemployed restaurant workers can be a significant asset—either in your church kitchen or from their own homes—for meal preparation, packaging and even delivery. Utilize the people in your church who are newly unemployed or furloughed to help minister to others in meaningful ways, and if possible, pay them!
4 - Provide tools for your families to shepherd those in their households. We have rapidly returned to a ‘home church’ model of ministry. In the event of further breakdowns, such as the loss of internet service, every household should be able to function as its own small group or church. Make sure your ministry resources for small group leadership are easy to find on your website, and send email or print communications as needed to prepare your people to spiritually lead and feed themselves.
People are praying for ‘divine creativity’ for church and ministry leaders. Reach out to other organizations near your church that may need volunteers, or can help meet some tangible needs in your faith community. God is absolutely on the move in the midst of coronavirus.
We’re hosting three webinars this week on meeting the mental health needs of your church family. We’ll be discussing mental health with Pastor Brad Hoefs on Wednesday, April 1, and Dr. Steve Grcevich and Stephen “Doc” Hunsley from SOAR Special Needs Ministry will talk on Friday April 3 about coping with anxiety in special needs families. On Thursday April 2, we’ll talk with Sandra Peoples about how special needs families can stay resilient through the Coronavirus pandemic; we’ll stream this interview with Sandra on the Not Alone Parents Facebook page. Each of these webinars is free, but you must register to join the Wednesday and Friday webinars. Click the links in each description to register. And please share with other ministry leaders so that the body of Christ in North America can prepare for the wave of mental health needs that are coming.
Catherine Boyle is the Director of Mental Health Ministry for Key Ministry. You can follow her work here or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and www.catherineboyle.com.
