So how are you doing in the midst of the Corona Crisis? The novelty of a lifestyle shift brought about by a novel virus has us all wondering what’s next. Those who have lived sacrificially in service to others are suddenly disconnected and looking for new patterns of meaningful connection.

The city I live in (Windsor Ontario) has a long history of economic climb and descent. As home to automotive manufacturers, large layoffs and rising unemployment rates have come and gone many times. At various intervals people have asked me how our church is affected by whatever the latest layoff announcement was.

I have often replied to that question by saying that the poor in our congregation are experiencing business as usual. When you are already unemployed and living without money, you are not as affected by social downturns in the same way.

Churches that serve the poor will certainly be feeling the same pinch as the rest of the middle class as our donor base shrinks, mortgage payments get deferred and staff positions get cut. But perhaps the greatest loss to the marginalized will not be economic (since it’s not there in the first place). The greatest loss for churches that care will be the loss of social connection and hospitality. That in fact may be our greatest wealth and the burden we bear to remain connected with the people we are so invested in.

It’s as if the whole world is in a minimum-security jail right now. We are learning to live with increased limitation and that grates against our freedom and mobility. Let’s pray that none are lost and that our incarceration becomes very fruitful. It certainly was profitable for the Apostle Paul to be in jail and lose his public freedom. It led to his writing of the New Testament books that may not have been written if he had kept busy with his boots on the ground.

One reason I started Sidewalk Skyline podcast was to share the incredible, eternal wealth that is generated in urban churches. Limitation and heavy burdens are useful when God’s people face the challenge boldly.

Now for today’s episode we will meet Saint Chad from Saint John, New Brunswick. Chad Nickerson is pastor of Calvary Temple, a historic urban church caring for its city in creative ways. Let’s go now to my interview from 2019 with Chad Nickerson.

Link:

https://www.calvarytemplesj.com/