Building the Church During Isolation

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in behaviour, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." Titus 2:3-5

I recently finished a book in which the author argues that we live in the most connected society ever. With technology such as social media, video chat and basic email we have the ability to connect with friends across the globe in a moments notice. However, I would argue that in this strange digital world humanity has lost much of its ability to form deep relationships. As a result we suddenly find ourselves lost when the things that absorbed our time are stripped away. In that moment we realize how little of our day to day routine is invested in building relationships and how much of it is absorbed by appointments, errands, work, or running our kids from this activity to that. Not to mention our endless piles of laundry. Sadly the Church is not exempt. Many of us have salved our conscience with the fact that we will "catch her at church on Sunday" and then assume that our 5 minutes of scattered conversation has counted as building a deep familial relationship. The rest of the week we deceive ourselves into believing we "know" one another because we share and follow every step on facebook. Yet, as we all sit at home we look around and realize how little we know pretty much everyone. Isolation reveals that social media has given us a false sense of friendship. What we see more clearly than ever is how short the church is falling in investing in their relationship as family. But what do we do now? As we sit isolated from one another how do we go about strengthening one another as Titus 2 has commanded? While the following is sheerly my opinion I would offer 4 practical ways that women can use their newly freed moments to mother the younger, learn from the older and build the church. It is my prayer that this unique time in history will be used to implement habits that will continue and radically transform the Church long after COVID-19 has passed.  

1) One to One Bible Reading
This period of isolation has brought back many memories of dating my husband. He lived in Edmonton, Alberta Canada and I lived 24 hours away in a small Iowan town. Prior to our marriage we physically saw each other a total of 14 days. The majority of our dating relationship was spent via video chat or email. While not ideal, this method stripped away every non-essential aspect of our relationship and forced us to grow strictly in our communication and knowledge of one another. We fell in love with the other's heart and mind rather than with one another's interests and the dreams of the things we could do together. I believe we are seeing that the Church has a unique connection that is built on Christ. When all of our individual interests are stripped away we find that we still have a commonness as sisters in Christ. What better time to utilize the free hour (that would have been devoted to hockey or dance) to sharpen one another in God's Word? One of my favourite bible study resources is David Helm's One to One Bible Reading. This resource helps believers learn how to study their bible well while providing opportunity for strong and deep conversation. During this time of isolation I would encourage you to ask God to impress on your heart one other woman from your church. Then contact her and ask her if she would be willing to meet once a week to study a book of the bible with you! If each woman in the church did this for even 1 month I strongly believe that the church would look radically different when it emerges post COVID-19.

2) Virtual Coffee Dates
As I write this I am balancing a newborn in one arm, typing with the other and waiting for my 21 month old to inform me that her nap time is over. To be frank, it literally takes me longer to get out the door for a coffee date than the date even lasts. If I'm going to go out it had better be for the day considering how much work went into getting out! For this reason virtual coffee dates are amazing. Text a friend (or someone you'd like to be friends with!) and see if there is a 20-30 minute gap in her day that you could connect. The conversation doesn't need to be earth shattering but the effects of that short time likely will be. Grab yourself a coffee or a tea and listen to the heart of your friend. You could do this every week or several times a week. Whether it be over nap time, while your beasties are running laps around the kitchen island, or in the quiet moments after everyone is in bed for the evening I would encourage you to be intentional in truly knowing someone else.

3) Old Fashioned Mail
When I was a kid my mom taught me that signing your name to a card is sacrilege. If I was going to write a card it had better be with purpose! I therefore blame her for the fact that every card I write turns into a novel that should come with a complimentary e-reader. However, I also don't know of a person on the planet who doesn't enjoy opening their mailbox and seeing that someone specifically cared about them. As the post office appears to be continuing to run for the present this is a great time to take 10 minutes and drop someone a note. Let them know one thing about them that you appreciate and an encouraging verse that God has laid on your heart!  

4) "How Can I Pray?"
While this one is last on the list it is definitely one of the most important. I have been so encouraged by a specific friend who consistently sends me a two sentence text: "How are you doing Rachel? How can I pray for you?" For some of us the only difference between mandatory isolation and our regular life is that someone is telling you that you aren't allowed to be with people. While the rest of the world suddenly has extra time...we don't! So take 10 seconds to text 2 people and specifically ask how you can be praying. This one little act will remind them that someone cares, will allow you to take them before a loving God and will strengthen your faith as you watch God work in one another's lives. A second great way to impact the women in your church is to simply pray through your directory. If possible print off your church directory or download it to your phone. Starting at the beginning choose to pray for one woman per day. Whether you have the opportunity to tell her you are praying for her or not God will use this simple act to build and strengthen His Church. 







Rachel lives in Cochrane, Alberta with her husband and two daughters. With a background in women's ministry and counseling she has a strong burden to come alongside other women and walk with them on their unique journeys. She enjoys writing, reading, crochet, teaching piano and serving alongside her husband at Grace Church of Cochrane.