I’m writing these words under a requirement to shelter-in-space. I’m homebound. For the first time in my adult life, I know what it’s like to be confined to the four walls of my modest, ranch home. It’s not the worst of times, but it’s not the best, either. Being homebound is hard.
The church I serve normally has several homebound members. We have widows, widowers, and cancer patients on chemo. Not knowing when the COVID-19 threat will abate, many of them are beginning to wonder how long they should abstain from a corporate worship service. I’m homebound for a few weeks. They worry about being homebound for a few months—or longer. Now, more than ever, they need the care of their church.
Caring for the most vulnerable in our congregations is not rocket science, but it takes a healthy dose of both discipline and love. We must have discipline to keep this kind of outreach from becoming the lastthing we do. We must have love to keep this outreach from becoming something we simply haveto do.
What can our churches do as we anticipate an increasing number of homebound members in the months ahead?
1. Craft a plan.
Besides encouraging
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