This past Sunday, May 31, marked the second week the church I serve as Pastor, First Baptist Church of Alamogordo, New Mexico, was able to meet in-person since the COVID-19 crisis hit New Mexico in mid-March. Much has been written on all that churches should consider as they make plans to open. However, for this post, I simply wanted to share some observations after two Sundays \u201cback.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many have hesitated to come back immediately.<\/strong><\/p>\n In the two Sundays that we\u2019ve been back in-person, we\u2019ve averaged around half of our normal Sunday attendance pre-COVID. In discussing with other pastors, this seems to generally be the case. We\u2019ve specifically a drastic reduction in in-person attendance from our older senior adults and families with babies or preschoolers. Obviously, for the older member there are significant health concerns regarding the ongoing spread of the virus. Our younger families have expressed a combination of these concerns, as well as a desire to stay home until we can safely offer the nursery and other children\u2019s programming later in the summer.<\/p>\n Meeting with masks and social distancing is weird.<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s strange to see two-thirds of our pews taped off. It\u2019s weird to see folks spread out across the sanctuary, rather than sitting in their \u201cnormal\u201d spots. It\u2019s very strange to not be able to go throughout the sanctuary shaking hands and hugging folks\u2019 necks. It\u2019s difficult talking to folks through masks. All of us understand these measures are temporary \u2014 to keep each other safe \u2014 but it\u2019s still weird. How do we address that?<\/p>\n Perhaps it\u2019s best to just point out what everyone already knows: It\u2019s weird. Don\u2019t be afraid to address the awkwardness and, dare I say, embrace it? Be willing to talk about the weirdness and laugh about it. Then, remind your folks that 1) this really is only temporary and 2) the purpose behind the awkwardness is, ultimately, their safety.<\/p>\n