The Shift – Part 1
By 'MarkO' Ossenfort
October 2022
As we enter into this last part of 2022 – the Fall Season and Last Financial Quarter, we are in an interesting place in time and life on this Earth.
We are exiting the reality of COVID's impact on the entire planet.
We are doing our best to get 'Back to Normal' – whatever that was in 2019…
2 MASSIVE shifts happened since 2019.
Social Gathering and Rules to Gather
Financial – money moved and we are now seeing the impacts of this move
Every life is affected globally. There is nowhere to escape…
So, the question in my heart and many others is, what does the USA and the Globe look like and what is the 'New Reality' we are to live and survive in look like?
Also on my heart, what does the Post COVID Christian Church look like?
But top of mind on ALL is what does it look like to make money and (for now) where we can migrate to better our lives, Worship, and live as a family?
As someone who was raised in Upstate New York in a farming country, I have a unique perspective on this.
And, as I have learned over my years on this Earth, others have unique perspectives.
My search first started with the question:
What does the Post COVID Church look like?
Like many, I had a preconceived idea and theory. But, wisdom prevailed and I sought out 'Experts' and others asking the same question. The best was gathering (as we can now!) with over 10,000 others seeking an answer to the same question.
I attended an Exponential Conference in Orlando, FL in the Spring of 2022.
There I was introduced to many who thought as I did, plus, new or different ways to answer this question…
I also found a common understanding and acceptance of this fact – The Church will NEVER be the same Post-COVID.
Attendance is at best in a healthy Christian Church at 50% live attendance compared to 2018-2019 attendance.
This reality affects primarily the social fabric of every community not to mention the 'Math' side of running EVERY Church.
After all, we have physical buildings to pay for and maintain that used to be occupied for more than Sunday services.
Then the real tragedy in all of this – the social impact!
People are scared into staying home and avoiding people.
People are then confused as to the truth with so many experts in health saying opposites.
Coupled with a Government suppressing anything outside of their message.
Can you blame ANY person or group of people for questioning and seeking the REAL truth???
So, here we are in the Fall of 2022.
What is the reality of today, and, what is the best reality I can create for myself and my family?
This is the first key question we will discuss here. I say discuss as I am writing my thoughts, data, and conclusions fully expecting to hear back from those reading this, hearing on a Podcast, or responding to this in Video.
I will start with the reality of today as the starting point.
Social Gatherings are getting back to some familiarity – at least here in Florida where I am currently
Church attendance at most churches that survived is 50-60% of 2018-2019 levels
Church buildings are scarcely used
Costs of operations have not lowered or stopped but rather increased
Delivering a message in this time as to Biblical or personal opinion is watched, condemned, and/or censored
Non Profit organizations have the IRS (an arm of the US Government) now as a weapon to control day-to-day activities let alone speech
The best and Worst part of all – all are asking What is Truth?
Best because as Christ's Followers – we have the answer
The worst is so many are not believing ANY answer or truth!
As I am surveying the horizon now and looking ahead, I am reminded of seeing Kirk Cameron in the movie Monumental. NOTE – if you have NOT seen this, WATCH IT ;)
Kirk brought up a great point!
Today's Christians are seeing the end and all is going to Hell in a hand-basket. Not doing anything is a self-fulfilling prophecy!
So, what to do…
I am proposing ideas and conclusions from MY research and active work.
Your part is to check out the truth and facts I present, look inside YOUR Heart, and, what is YOUR part in your community and Country? As a citizen of Heaven and as a citizen of your Country?
I am going to start at a beginning I believe to be the center – The Christian Church…
The first question to tackle is the one with the greatest amounts of answers. And, all answers are correct to some extent…
Question – 'What is the Christian Church?
This question needs to narrow down to some extent to start the conversation...
Specifically the Western Christian Church.
This narrowing down is critical as Christ Followers around the globe have different answers due to cultural and political history added to tradition.
This is where my experience with 10,000+ people in Orlando, FL gathering at the Exponential Conference in 2022 took form!
All agreed on the reality of the day. All agreed on the Mission. All agreed on the challenges. And, all agreed something HAS TO BE DONE!
Interestingly, there were only 3 'flavors' or schools of thought that were discussed!
Revive the existing Church
Start over – smaller Church
Forget it all – Micro Church as in the Book of Acts
To my surprise, all 3 were valid solutions, and, all 3 have a place in the Western Church!
At the core of my discovery at the Conference was meeting Jim from an organization DCPI – Dynamic Church Planters International.
This was the focus and solution I was seeking!
PLANT Churches.
A planted church could be a reviving of a Church, Start Over Church, and/or Micro Church (Network)
From this meeting and relationship with Jim, Sow In The Word was born and launched.
In September 2022 I attended a DCPI Training Session (Live and in person!) on Church Planting Essentials.
In this training, I was brought back to basics and also (as part of the training) was asked to pray over what God has for me to do – with this knowledge and my life.
Sew In The Word was what was revealed and an entire organization was born!
Sew In The Word is to be a gathering of Men, Women, Young, and Old to Produce Products, Mentor, be Mentored, and Learn the Word – Disciple.
A Community has a reason and purpose to gather
A Community can create products to sell
Mentorship has a place
The Word is taught – verbal and practical
Discipleship is taught and lived
A Church now exists, or, can grow around new gathering
Reproduce this success in any Community in the US and across the Caribbean
MarkO serves as the Founder and Leader of Sow In The Word based in Orlando, FL for the US and Puerto Rico for the Caribbean.
You can learn more and join their mission at Sow In The Word