By Ben McEachenMonday 26 Feb 2024Hope MorningsChristian LivingReading Time: 3 minutes
Something is not right at your church.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown periods, people in your pews still might be feeling all sorts of things.
Not positive things, necessarily.
Instead, as Leon and John share about their suburban Sydney church, there are members who feel isolated, disappointed, frustrated, angry and judged.
There are members who feel isolated, disappointed, frustrated, angry and judged.
Speaking with Hope Mornings, Leon and John believe the division sparked by the COVID pandemic is a “taboo” subject.
Raising this unspoken issue, they want to gently encourage churches to have constructive conversations of healing about the ongoing impact of the pandemic’s restrictions, mandates and responses.
Impact continues
Along with other members, Leon and John felt marginalised at church by personal positions during the pandemic.
“People felt very isolated if they weren’t going with the crowd on support for the various interventions,” healthcare professional Leon told Hope Mornings.
“I feel like everyone did things with good intentions. They did what they felt was right for the time, whether it be for the interventions or against.
“But I think people who chose not to [support interventions] really were ostracised during that time.”
“I feel like everyone did things with good intentions,” Leon said.
They continue to feel this way, according to Leon and education worker John.
“There’s never been any reflection on what happened during that time, whether it was right, whether it was wrong, or discussion,” Leon said.
“It’s just been brushed aside and [let’s] move on.”
An additional strain for Christians was faith being intertwined with medical or government decision-making.
Leon and John gave the example of “love your neighbour” being presented in a way that collided with personal health choices, casting a shadow over someone’s moral judgment.
They describe being pushed to align their actions or attitudes with the majority of church-goers, under the guise of communal care.
This subtle pressure exacerbated the sense of alienation for those who chose differently, according to Leon and John.
Taboo we don’t talk about
At this point in the pandemic, Leon and John believe discussing differing opinions or experiences is off limits.
“I think it’s become such a taboo topic that people are scared to raise it and talk about it,” John said.
“If I just think of the Bible study group I’m part of, we’ve got a mixed bag of people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated.
“But even that topic is like a taboo that no one wants to bring up in discussion.”
You may not be aware that people like John or Leon are sitting beside you at church each week.
Such reluctance to raise COVID-related issues does more than reinforce feelings of isolation or resentment.
According to Leon and John, it also hinders collective healing within the body of Christ at their church – or your church.
The Path to Reconciliation and Healing
You may not be aware that people like John or Leon are sitting beside you at church each week.
Stopping to consider this, and a need for open discussions, offers your church family the opportunity to extend support and compassion.
Gently but firmly, Leon and John hope to encourage such dialogue among Christian brothers and sisters.
“How do we open up those taboo topics and discuss them openly so that people can actually share what they’ve been through, no matter what side of the fence they may sit on?” Leon asked.
“People have a story to share of what they’ve been through in the last few years.
“Some have been through a lot more than others.
“People have a story to share of what they’ve been through in the last few years,” Leon said.
“Either way, how do you have a safe conversation without judgment, without ridicule, without ostracising, because of choices that have been made?”
To ignite the healing process, John suggested that church leaders should extend an invitation to those hurt to share their experiences.
“The church has also missed out on hearing how God has worked through those hurts,” Leon added.
John and Leon call up on church leaders and members alike to engage in delicate conversations about COVID’s impact.
By providing a safe space and truly listening to the range of experiences, feelings and consequences, your church can begin to mend damage done throughout the pandemic.
Listen to the full interview with Leon and John in the player above.
Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro