‘When Church functions in this way there is nothing greater to see and be a part of’

Guest Blog by Rev Richard Vernon, Lead Pastor at Lakeside Church in Southport

“What a whirlwind past few months it’s been? If we’re being honest, did any of us ever think it was going to get to this?

“From those early news reports at the start of the year of a strange virus affecting citizens of Wuhan, who would have envisaged that in a matter of months, this unseen enemy would bring the world to pretty much the standstill that it has?

“Although things physically might look the same, we each know that we are living in a very different world to the one we were accustomed to. And yet amidst the devastating reports we hear of lives lost and job uncertainties, it’s been so encouraging to see the way institutions and organisations have responded, with Southport being no different.

“As a local church leader, Covid-19 has certainly brought and keeps bringing its challenges to how we do things at Lakeside. Our busy premises, located at the northern end of the Marine Lake, are normally a hive of bustling activity throughout the week with all the different things taking place for all ages. If it wasn’t for the amazing work coming from the Compassion Acts charity that operates the Foodbank and Welfare Benefits service amongst other things, the building would be sitting pretty empty right now as our Sunday services have moved from on-site to totally online.

“Lakeside is so much more than what happens on a Sunday, however. The doors to our Coffee House might remain closed, but through the beauty of Zoom, we’ve been able to ‘virtually’ open up its windows where those who are feeling the effects of not just physical isolation, but social isolation too have found a little bit of respite from their monotony of being stuck at home. These happen each day through the week and alongside our Sunday services have been critical in giving us a means of staying connected and providing one important layer of pastoral care.

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“With a number of our congregants being more senior in years, and therefore in the higher risk category, what’s been really encouraging is the way in which others have responded and made sure their cupboards remain stocked by doing their shopping for them and picking up prescriptions where needed. This hasn’t been simply for those who are a part of Lakeside, but others from across our town too who have been in touch with us asking for help.

“There have also been so many more phone calls taking place as people have been keeping a more intentional lookout for one another.

“When the Church functions in this way, which is nothing more than what we’ve always been called to do and be, in my eyes, there is nothing better and greater to see and be a part of.

“I know in writing this that we are no different to what other churches across our town have also been doing. There is such a love for Southport amongst us and our combined message is that we are here for you.

Congregation members enjoy an event at Lakeside Church in Southport

“As we begin to plan and prepare for what Church might look like post Covid-19, well only time will tell on that one.

“I think it will become a hybrid of both ‘brick and click’ as someone has said, or as I call it, ’windows and doors,’ with the building still playing a critical role along with leveraging the technology that we have before us much more.

“As challenging as it is, it’s also incredibly exciting as we begin to rethink and reshape how we do certain things in order to become more effective and in doing so, an even greater resource to our town.

“One thing that won’t change, however, is our mandate to show and tell people of God’s amazing love for them.

“The message will always remain the same, it’s just the way we communicate it that might look a little different. Let the new normal begin!”
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