“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne say, "Look! God's dwelling is here with humankind. [God] will dwell with them, and they will be [God’s] peoples. God will be with them as their God. [God] will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.""(Matthew 25:37-40 CEB)
 
Dearest Siblings in Christ,

What day is it? My wife Amy and I are asking each other this more frequently as we stay at home for longer and longer. But things are changing, slowly and, I pray, carefully. One thing is clear, things will be different when we can begin to leave our homes and gather once more. We must be ready for the change that has taken place, but which we have not fully experienced yet. Yes, I wrote the word -- change -- that causes fear and anxiety for many and has been a stumbling block for innovation and even health and survival for congregations throughout time.
 
Like it or not, change is what we will be dealing with when we once again gather together. Simple changes like one door for entering and another for leaving the building. Significant changes like no singing when gathered for in-person worship. For now and into the future things have changed and will change. It’s time to help folks get comfortable with this and learn to live with it.  Change defines this time in history.
 
I want to share what a friend and clergy coach wrote about leading in a time of significant change:

1. Clarify your own thoughts on the issue at hand, whether the change is about worship, structure, leadership, music. Spend some time alone to think about it.
2. Think through when and where to appropriately share your thoughts. Stay as clear and as calm as you can when you do so.
3. Connect with people in key leadership positions, both paid and volunteer. Work on relationships constantly.
4. Watch for triangles that develop at times of change – for those who pull you in to resolve difficulties or for those who leave you out of important conversations. Don’t get too emotionally caught up in these triangles. Avoid complaining about others, which creates more triangles.
5. Observe how people express their views about the change. Those who can define their position in terms of themselves are more mature than those who say “you should,” or “you shouldn’t” or “they always” or “they never.” This will give you a clue as to those who are more mature than others.
6. Fill your role and stay in it. For pastors: be fully present in leadership and provide necessary oversight for the change. For staff members: do your job, relate appropriately to staff and church members, and stick to your area of responsibility. For lay leaders: be clear on what your volunteer role is (and isn’t) and carry it out. Don’t invade other people’s space.
7. Keep your sense of humor. It will help you and others get through this time more easily. (But watch for sarcasm, which is an anxious response.)
8. Be a learner: about yourself, about others, about what happens in a church at times of change. Those who are open to learning manage change better. Recast the challenge of change as a learning opportunity.
9. Notice any complaints or criticism which come your way. Avoid getting defensive.
10. Pray about the change and for those involved in it –those you agree with and those you may disagree with, those who are functioning well and those who are not.
    (© Margaret Marcuson, Marcuson Leadership Circle, 3439 NE Sandy Blvd., #102, Portland, OR 97232, United States)

As you help folks get ready for whatever comes next in this strange time we find ourselves in, remember to breathe, to pause, to pray. Remember that we are in this together. Remember that God is with us. And, remember that change is life and to live is to change.