In this paper, Matt Fletcher helps us think carefully – not only individually but also collectively – about COVID-19 and its impact on the church.

Some of the most pressing issues have also been the most polarizing. Christians who seemed to share similar convictions on most matters suddenly found themselves at odds with one another (in some cases at war with one another!) over certain issues. These issues included, but were not limited to, the proper relation between Church and State, the right exercise of Christian liberty, a holistic view of the believer’s health, and the responsible use of technology. While more issues could be added to this list, these four concerns are broad enough to cover most of the practical matters with which the church had to wrestle during the pandemic. I have the unenviable role of venturing into these volatile topics on the front end of our conversation. My plan is to lay out the issues as objectively as I can, though at times my own thoughts on these matters will become evident to some degree. My aim is not to present my view as the “correct” one but to provoke meaningful conversation by providing some food for thought. Hopefully the result won’t be an all-out food fight! Rather, my prayer is that our retrospective conversation regarding COVID-19 and the Church would sharpen our thinking, strengthen our unity, and make us all better disciples and under-shepherds for Christ.