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LIFE AFTER THE COVID-19 COCOON: Mistakes to Avoid and Opportunities to Seize As the caterpillar hides in its cocoon and emerges a butter- fly, so the Church has an opportunity to find new life as the pandemic declines. Some ways of doing ministry may have significantly changed or even died over the course of the pandemic, and there are things to grieve. But new opportu- nities are growing their wings, ready to take flight and carry on the unchanging mission of Jesus: to make disciples. As we seek to carry out the mission of the Church in our current context, Pastors Brian Davies and Ted Doering share six mistakes to avoid and three opportunities to seize. Mistake 1: Don't underestimate what we've lived through. This has been a global pandemic, a once-in-a- hundred-year occurrence. It created a level of uncertainty most of us have never lived through. If you were a church worker in a ministry that had just experienced a natural disaster, like a tornado, you would do well to lead with compassion as the people and place recover. The same applies here. As much as we church leaders are in a rush to go, go, go, we need to remember that our people have been through a great deal in the last year. Be patient. Mistake 2: Don't push the anxious. Building off the first point, we'll do well to give special care and concern for those most acutely impacted by COVID-19. This season has been harder for some than others. Anxiety and loneliness were already on the rise pre-pandemic, and recent events have only exacerbated it. Rhythms were broken, and it'll take time and thoughtful pastoral care to bring the anxious back. Don't push too hard or you may push them away. Mistake 3: Don't underestimate the reset. Many fami- lies were too busy pre-pandemic. For many, 2020 was a Sabbath of sorts, providing families space to rest, reflect, and reset priorities. Be aware that some families will be reluctant to return to their previous levels of busyness. And that's okay and maybe even good for some! Families may be hesitant to say yes to new commitments. Instead of pushing new programs, consider how your church can encourage and strengthen families who desire to develop healthier family rhythms. Mistake 4: Don't expect the hose to unkink. You know how sometimes your garden hose kinks and, when you unkink it, water gushes out? That will not be the case with folks and their return to in-person experiences. Instead, ex- pect a slow, steady increase. Be steadfast and faithful. Work hard. Make visits. Sit, listen, and ask questions. Don't give up. "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Mistake 5: Don't move beyond personal care and back to programming. Staff and lay leaders will feel a strong urge to "get the band back together" and do everything that was done before. Roll out the new ministry plan! Instead, take 4 Lutheran Life

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