By Andy Hale 

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world forever. When you stop and think about it, institutions’, organizations’, communities’, and individuals’ rapid transformation is immeasurable.

One of those incalculable changes is the relationship individuals have with the Church. Most, if not all, churches have adapted to facilitate online worship and spiritual formation experiences. However, the purpose and relevance of the institutional Church may never be the same for many.

But before we point the finger at the Coronavirus for its cruel hyper-destruction, not only on so many lives physically, maybe the church should consider its pre-pandemic relationship with its members.

How was the Church functioning in people’s lives before we had to be physically distant from one another?

Could the question of the Church’s irrelevance in people’s lives be there before this crisis? Could it be that the Church was neglecting people’s life callings for the sake of the mission and vision?

“My heart burns with passion to see a generation fully engaged in their call, not just because it’s what we’re supposed to be doing but because that’s where we thrive,” said Banning Liebscher on the CBF Podcast.

We sat down with the founder of Jesus Culture, the pastor of Jesus Culture Sacramento, and the author of The Three-Mile Walk to discuss the church’s role helping people fully engage their calling, and the challenges churches face emerging through this Pandemic.

Subscribe or Livestream

CBF’s podcast shares stories from across the Fellowship and innovative practices of those working to renew God’s world. The vision is to share ideas, stories, and innovations from ministers, authors, and practitioners.

Join this award-winning audio podcast by subscribing in iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook.

Sponsorship

This podcast episode is brought to you by Fuller Seminary, The Center for Congregational Health, and Baptist Seminary of Kentucky.

Listener Support 

We are inviting you, the listeners, to join us in connecting with the Podcast. Become a monthly listener supporter and receive some perks, including name recognition on the Podcast, questions for upcoming guests, free books from the Podcast, joining the Podcast for an interview, and a VIP experience with the General Assembly Podcast guests.

There are five levels of listener support, starting at $5 per month…learn more and become a supporter today at www.cbf.net/podcastsupport.

Andy Hale created and hosts the podcast of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Hale is the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, following eight years as the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton and five years as CBF’s church start specialist. Follow on Twitter @haleandy