Abandoned Places

 On the 16th March, following government advice in response the Covid-19, we stopped all groups meeting in the Tab until further notice.

The response from the church was calm and measured. Leaders response was decisive and quick, giving clear guidance to the congregation. There was no sense of panic or fear from leaders, which on reflection, gave a great deal of confidence and reassurance to the congregation. This enabled them to move beyond questions of their own response, to communicating with their networks and local community.

I felt an urgent need to pray for our community, and so on that Monday posted out flyers to the local streets informing them that I would be walking the streets and praying on Thursday. I invited prayer requests.
Sharing this response with the congregation encouraged and inspired some. Many had been feeling disempowered, with a desire to reach out to their neighbours, but lacking an idea how to do it.
As a minister, sharing my heart and small response can inspire greater responses from the wider congregation. My actions can release them into this.



A number of things struck me as I was prayer walking:
1. I met a number of local residents who were posting flyers offering support to their neighbours. There are many that are prepared to give for the good of their community. We in the Tab need to recognise the good that is already happening and partner with it.
2. We can partner with others in offering practical support. Uniquely we need to offer prayer support and spaces/lines of inquiry for those who are spiritually seeking.
3. I am reminded of the falling of Jericho's walls. Perhaps God is removing our own walls that separate us from what he is doing.


I am generally encouraged in the midst of the closure. It holds challenges, but it is forcing the church to questions the things that we do, how we do them, and why we do them. I will need courage and strength to lead the congregation in unknown and foggy paths, to draw attention to important things, to encourage or inspire the good, to protect and feed the flock. My prayer is that the flock may emerge from this better able to encourage one another and better equipped to reach out to their networks and local community.