Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times
S3E1: The Pandemic and Going Back to Church
Jul 15, 2021
In a lively discussion, AJ Swoboda, a church leader reflecting on community impacts, and Nijay Gupta, a theologian offering fresh insights, explore the pandemic's reshaping of church dynamics. They delve into the rise of online services and the longing for tactile community connections, as Swoboda notes, "You gotta be able to smell each other!" The duo grapples with shifting attendance trends, the search for genuine spiritual ties, and the need for empathy in a post-pandemic world, challenging traditional notions of faith and participation.
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Quick takeaways
- The pandemic transformed church attendance into a spectator activity, making authentic community and participation more critical than ever.
- Heightened political and social convictions among returning churchgoers create divisions that church leaders must navigate to foster unity.
Deep dives
The Shift in Church Engagement Post-COVID
The pandemic has fundamentally altered how people engage with church, transitioning it into a spectator activity rather than a participatory one. Many individuals found themselves attending church services online, leading to a feeling of disconnection and 'zoom fatigue.' This shift led to a situation where church became something that individuals watched rather than actively participated in, contributing to a decrease in church attendance as people became accustomed to skipping services altogether. As society begins to reopen, some individuals are hesitant to return, feeling as though they have grown out of the traditional church experience that previously defined their faith rituals.
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