In the midst of the challenging times we currently face, many churches and charities have had to radically and quickly change the way they do things, putting extra strain on both people and resources. In this context, it may seem a step too far to be thinking beyond the immediate and urgent, but can I encourage you to find time, even now, to think to the future? Here are three good reasons why.
More change is likely in the future. In a striking recent survey, only 9% of the UK population said they wanted things to return to how they were before the pandemic. Churches and charities have always been at the forefront of change and maybe now is the time we might be beginning to imagine what changes we could encourage and take the lead on in a post pandemic society?
Projects need time. As we have seen recently, change can happen very fast, but effective planning for future changes are often done best when the time pressure is off. Whilst it may be impossible to undertake detailed planning in the current uncertainty; in a world of cancelled events and activities, social isolation and lockdown, what many people do have at the moment is more uninterrrupted ‘thinking time’. Could you consider harnessing some of this time to begin to imagine and plan for what a post pandmic future might look like for your church or charity? This may include projects you had already been considering or discussing, or perhaps something completely new could emerge?
This too shall pass. Many have been quoing this Persian adage as an encouragement in recent weeks. We may not know when or exactly how, but we can be fairly sure that this adage also applies to our current crisis. In the midst of fear, uncertainty and daily tragedy; to be able to look to a post pandemic future may bring hope and encouragement both to us and to those we work with?
If you want to look to the future for your organisation and would value a chat about how to get started, please get in touch