In which our regular writers toss around subjects a
little more volatile than usual.
Immanuel Can: I’m noticing a very common
theme springing up in news organizations and on the internet right now. There
are lots of articles talking about the changes to society that will persist
after the COVID-19 crisis is over. For instance,
ABC says the major things that
will remain different will be: more automation and more work-from-home options
in employment, increased telemedicine, stricter travel regulations and precautions,
and more virtual education. Another media source predicts masks everywhere,
no more handshakes, loads of anxious parents, closer cliques, more centralized
government control, smaller cities ... and a whole bunch of other things.
All that’s speculation, of course. But some of it’s probably going to turn out
to be right.
It seems what’s missing from such articles, Tom, is any reflection on what all the
shifts will do to local congregations of Christians. Of course they will be
subject to the same changes as anyone else, for starters. But are there any
special concerns that Christians should take note of? What trends do you
see as either opportunities or ominous possibilities for Christians after COVID?