Lockdown has been hard on many communities and households but as we move beyond our restricted lives, what needs to change and what needs to remain? Mal Breeze, a Church Related Community Worker from Blackburn, reflects on this question:

The words of the song and album The Times They Are a-Changin, written by Bob Dylan in 1964, must have felt as true then as they feel now, 57 years on. Perhaps even more applicable given the last 18 months of Covid-19.

As individuals we have changed, families have changed, our communities have changed. So too have our churches, and many of us have had to rethink how to carry out our ministry.

As communities, we have endured lockdown after lockdown not knowing when they will end. Families have been kept apart for long periods of time, and our churches have had to close.

The word ‘lockdown’ has tripped off everyone’s tongue faster than it takes to melt a knob of butter on a hot potato.

It has often caused resentment and conflict, not only within communities but also within the church, as we explored what life might be like after it.

As individuals we have changed, families have changed, our communities have changed and so too have our churches, and many of us have had to rethink how to carry out our ministry.

While there will be a new reality for the church? Our mission will of course remain the same. However, we will need to seek and find new ways of being a church, carrying out our mission and ministry in that new reality.

For many, including myself, the last 18 months have seemed like a marathon. Having walked, run, and cycled marathons over the years, I can speak from experience! However, I would certainly prefer to take part in a marathon again than re-live the experience of the last year and a half.

One of the positive things to come out of the pandemic for the church is that it has given us an opportunity to reflect on how we do things and this has raised many challenging questions, which we need to think long and hard about.

These challenges include the following…

Read the rest of Mal’s reflection here.