Existential Challenge to Churches

Many churches, at least those in Hong Kong, are closed due to the pandemic.  When the pandemic eased a little earlier, they rushed to open again - cautiously, but also eagerly. Then another wave hit, and now everyone is forced to close again.  

Will the congregation return when churches finally re-…-reopen again?  There used to be little doubt that they will.  Believers seemed eager to return.  Many were pleading for the churches to reopen.  When the social distancing eased a little earlier, many did return eagerly.

However, there are more and more signs that some are having send thoughts.  Some seem to be thinking - “I have not been attending church for many months and I seem to be doing OK.  Do I really want / need to return to church?“ 

Some are thinking - “I am having more time for myself and my family.  I can still attend service online if I want to.  Why shouldn’t I continue in this style even when the church re-opens?” 

Some may be thinking - “When we were having the social unrest, the church was no help, the preachers didn’t want to talk about the conflict, we were discouraged from talking about it.  The pastors seemed to be saying that faith has nothing to do with social justice.  We were essentially left to ourselves to deal with the conflict.  Going to church didn’t seem to help at all.”  

Then when the pandemic hit, the church closed.  “Other than worship service online, there seems to be little that the church can offer.  Again we are left to deal with the pandemic ourselves.  Again, going to church didn’t seem to help at all.” 

If faith have nothing to say about the events in our lives that affect us so deeply - materially, physically, emotionally and spiritually - that really is a matter of life and death, then what good is faith for?  Some pastors may feel this is the wrong way to think of our faith.  But that is how a lot of people - particularly the young people - are thinking.  

Some will certainly feel the urge to return to church as soon as possible.  Some others will return when it is safe, whatever that means.  But there may be a significant number who may feel otherwise.  

How will this affect the church?  What, if anything, is the church going to do about it?

This is not meant to be a criticism of the church or the faith.  This is just a description of the reality - a possibly existential challenge.