Jason Jordan, senior pastor for West Side Church of God in Poplar Bluff, is leading his congregation from the old year into the new with hope and optimism despite the widespread changes wrought in 2020.
“It’s really bizarre,” Jordan said. “Everything’s really weird.”
Part of the strangeness is the impact upon church congregations as a result of COVID-19, which he says has reduced in-person attendance to 60-70% of pre-pandemic figures.
“Today, we’re valuing engagement over attendance,” Jordan said.
West Side’s engagement strategy still involves physical gatherings with the now-familiar procedures of social distancing, masks and sanitation stations. But the crisis has also driven innovations in ministries.
Personal ministry now involves phone calls to check on members along with new avenues for electronic outreach. One of these is the new “Rest of the Sermon” podcast that Jordan hosts along with worship pastor Tyler Saxton.
“COVID has knocked out any artificial props,” Jordan said. “If Jesus was just an accessory for some churches, that part has been thrown out.”
West Side’s motto is, “It’s All About Jesus.”
COVID care is another new ministry, which offers financial assistance, groceries, utility payments and mental health referrals to those affected by the pandemic.
“We’ve helped a considerable number of people,” Jordan said. “It’s propelled us to be more intentional in our missions.”
One enduring feature of West Side is its community groups, which are small groups that often meet in people’s homes. While attendance in these kinds of gatherings has decreased, the focus has remained on personal contact.
“The goal is to spark relationships,” Jordan said. “We want to emphasize anything that’s personal and intentional. Digital contact only goes so far.”
“COVID is not an obstacle; it’s an opportunity,” Jordan said. “The church has survived plagues throughout the centuries.”
One of these opportunities, Jordan said, is that “hearts are more receptive to the message than before.”
“The message hasn’t changed,” he said, “but the method has.”
Part of his vision for 2021 is expanding discipleship throughout the community. Before COVID, Jordan said, “Gatherings allowed people to consume, not contribute.”
“I want to see people rise up for leadership,” he said. “We want to reproduce ourselves in the community, and the pandemic has made it necessary to have more disciples.”
West Side Church of God is located at 2807 Channon Road in Poplar Bluff. Their website address is westsidepb.org. Sunday services are held at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.