Be

In August of 2020, Thom Rainer, former LifeWay President, predicted that roughly 20-30 percent of church members would not return to church after the pandemic. Honestly, in the early days of the pandemic, predictions of this nature seemed almost to be a certainty. However, as the collective "big C" church has moved forward, a different trend has emerged. As of January, among churches surveyed in January 2021, combined in-person and remote attendance was just over 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels. By April 2021, this had increased to 91 percent. Things are moving in the right direction, but we are certainly not out of the woods yet. The uptick for both in-person and total attendance in the last three months is encouraging. The coming months are critical for the post-COVID return and defining the new normal. We need to be encouraging people to come back to the church when the time is right. Sure, COVID numbers appear to continue to rise. Yes, there might be a period where we will need to adorn the mask once again. The church continued with her mission during the pandemic's peak, and I believe she needs to continue being the church during the pandemic and beyond. 

In Joshua 1:9, the newly appointed leader is commissioned with the following; "Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." In the years to come, whenever Joshua faced an enemy and was tempted to be afraid, he would remember that he was a man with a divine commission—and his fears would vanish. Whenever things went wrong, and he was tempted to be dismayed, he would recall God's command—and take new courage. Like Moses before him and Samuel and David after him, Joshua had a divine mandate to serve the Lord and do His will—and that mandate was sufficient to carry him through. 

Friends, we have been commissioned as well; we as believers should likewise be strong, be courageous, and not beafraid. UABC has maintained extraordinarily well during this season of uncertainty. Now, let's finish strong and prepare ourselves to continue as a Kingdom Witness in MidTown and beyond. By 2040 the population in Memphis is expected to grow by 40%. Currently, the population number is 652,236+, and the median age is 33.5. According to the Memphis 3.0 project, UABC (Overton Square and Cooper-Young) is right in the middle of the projected area of most significant growth. In the next 3-5yrs, we will see increases in residential and commercial developments and renovations in our immediate community.

The founding body in 1902 saw the potential and the need for a church in our community. In 2021, I believe a clear and present calling on the gathering body at 2181 Union Avenue is still current. So let's continue moving forward by being strong, courageous, and not afraid; Let's go and be great!

Serving Him,
Pastor Jeff