THE NEW NORMAL
What is the "new normal" going to look like? While no one can tell you everything with a guarantee of certainty, there are some things we can anticipate with certainty. As time passes and we see the relaxation of some well warranted safety precautions, we need to be ready to step into our future and embrace all our Lord allows.
THE NEW NORMAL
Who knows what the experience will be when we begin meeting again. Don't buy into the idea that everyone is going to experience the same thing. The timing will be different for many. The look of the congregation will be different. For sure, the feel of meeting again will be different.

We WILL NOT be able to simply revert to the way everything was prior to the invasion of the virus. If you are thinking your church will simply pick up exactly where you left off, you are in for a surprise. People are different. They had different demands. The churches which adapt to these issues will be able to effectively minister to this new expectation of normal while those who demand to remain "as before" will, without doubt, experience some difficult days.

Below I will present three broad areas of the NEW NORMAL which each of us must prepare for NOW! Don't wait until the "all-clear" siren is sounded and you can once more have people back in your church buildings. Get ready NOW!

NEW NORMAL word on face mask with sanitizer. New normal concept.
The New Normal...PERCEPTION OF CLEANLINESS!
The NEW NORMAL demands your facility is spotless. What's more, it better SMELL clean. Gone are the days when you could hope no one noticed that funny odor coming from the musty room down the hall. Restrooms? They better sparkle to the point they look like surgical suites.

Hand sanitizers, anti-bacterial wipes, cleansing soaps, and any other accommodation which says to people "we are serious about cleanliness" should be displayed in abundance.

The NEW NORMAL demands we present our facilities as germ free zones. Make sure your people know your facility is wiped down and sanitized before every gathering. Some churches should consider hiring a professional service to conduct these operations while others can function on a volunteer basis. Whatever method you choose, make it work and make it known.
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You might consider having a health team at work once the doors are reopened. Have those who will watch for signs of sickness. Have non-touch thermometors handy where temps can be taken.

You may have to make a hard call and tell someone they must go home. Do not let sentiment rule the day. If someone is running a fever or coughing, asses them and kindly send them home to recover.
The New Normal....PERSONAL SPACE!

It will be a long time before people are comfortable with the idea of hugging, shaking hands, taking someone's hand in the altar...all those things we have accepted as part of our church culture. The NEW NORMAL will require adjustments in areas such as these. In fact, some pastors are going to be forced to do some teaching, indeed possibly some face-to-face correction in this area because of the insistence on the part of some to continue their practice of close contact.

You might as well look at your sanctuary and decide how to space people differently than before. We have for years touted the 80% rule. That rule stated in broad terms that an 80% capacity of your facility was all you could hope to accomplish on a regular basis. For years, that has been proven mostly correct. Now, we are hearing the idea that we will be faced with a 60% rule. Simply put, if your sanctuary "seats" 200, the 80% rule meant you could, at best, expect to maintain an attendance of abut 160 in a single service in that building. The NEW NORMAL tells us that number has dropped to 120. Go ahead and figure how you can seat people in groups and provide distance. Family groups which live together can cluster. Individuals or couples are going to need space.

What about the nursery? In the current environment, have families sit together. There is nothing wrong with, for the next few weeks or months, with children sitting with parents and observing worship and prayer. In fact, there is nothing wrong with parents training their children in church. One successful church of which I am aware provides all children under a certain age with colors and a page depicting something about the Pastor's message which not only helps keep their attention, it provides a teaching tool which the parents can use in training up their child

For many churches, this is the time to add a second service. Some churches need to already have in place a second or third meeting area on the campus where the service can be streamed. I hear your objections already...but this is the NEW NORMAL. If you want to flourish in the upcoming season, get ready now.
The New Normal...PARTICIPATION WILL BE DIFFERENT!
First, let's talk about our Seniors. They are by far the most vulnerable group in this crisis. It will come as no surprise if many of our seniors are hesitant to immediately rejoin a larger group. This might be the time for you to plan a specific service with them in mind. Whatever you do, make sure this group of precious people is well cared for and protected!

Some of those you have reached via social media will be reluctant to branch out and attend your church. By all means, do not stop your outreach. Instead, upgrade where you can and make your social media presence more professional. Consider ways to integrate those who watch into your fellowship. Provide some specific gathering events where those who are involved through technology can meet and greet once the danger has passed. Many have started a new ministry. Don't cast it aside simply because people can now gather in your facility. Keep reaching out!

You might consider specific class settings such as marriage and family issues or financial issues which are held completely on line. In fact, you might compile a list of teaching sessions which can be stockpiled and accessed through the web which can be used in small gatherings. We have learned participation does not always mean physical presence in a building. Whatever you do, don't lose your momentum. Keep pressing into the harvest.
If the NEW NORMAL has taught us anything about PARTICIPATION, it has informed us people will give to God in ways other than our traditional offering methods. We have already discussed various companies offering giving platforms. If you are not yet engaged in this method of allowing people to give, you are going to be left behind. The NEW NORMAL is going to be one of much less cash, much less check writing, and MUCH MORE on-line. Do what you have to do, but prepare now for this rapidly developing reality.