Now that several years have passed, a first-time author and pastor living in Airdrie is looking back at the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on churches and their congregations.
Davies Mpinga is initially from Zambia, but after living in Crossfield for several years, he relocated to Airdrie this past December.
He is the father of five children and has an extensive background is pastoral work, graduating from Victory College in Kitwe, pursuing studies at the Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, earning both an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Nelson University in Waxahachie, Texas, a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Practical Ministry from Nelson University, and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) from Ambrose University.
When the pandemic led to lockdowns in March of 2020, Mpinga was serving as pastor at Mountainview Evangelical Missionary Church near Didsbury-- a position he had held for nearly five years.
From Flourishing to Languishing: Considering the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Churches and Clergy is Mpinga's self-published debut non-fiction book where he explores his experiences during the pandemic-- examining the challenges his and other churches faced.
"Many ministries had to rebuild from the ground up, and pastors struggled to support members in urgent need, especially those isolated in nursing homes and hospitals," Mpinga explained. "The inability to host gatherings, along with capacity restrictions and safety mandates, created significant hurdles. A sense of shock, fear, and anxiety was widespread during this uncertain time."
Mpinga said he wanted to help the church identify areas that require improvement in its response to crises, such as pandemics, and learn from others as they begin rebuilding in this new reality.
This book focuses primarily on examining the Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, the Evangelical Mennonite Conference, and other denominations found across Western Canada.
"It investigated how emergency measures-- such as work-from-home orders, capacity limits in buildings, mask mandates, social distancing guidelines, singing restrictions, and bans on in-person gatherings-- impacted the churches' ability to fulfill their purposes, missions, and ministries," Mpinga stated.
For his book, Mpinga sought insights from other pastors on what degree the disruptions hindered their outreach, utilizing a survey with 37 responses-- with more than half reporting that their churches had fewer than 100 members following COVID closures.
Mpinga shared that over one in four churchgoers started attending their church in person again post-pandemic.
He noted that we will continue to see significant effects from COVID-19 closures, particularly how congregants are engaging differently with their local congregations, including a significant decline in traditional in-person attendance and an increase in virtual attendance.
"The text highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by clergy and congregations, as well as the emotional toll on church leaders," Mpinga added. "It also highlights the resilience that enabled many to emerge stronger despite the pandemic’s challenges."
But even though the book takes a critical look at both responses and reactions, Mpinga does offer many solutions for how best to do forward and recover following the disruption.
"The lessons learned from the pandemic highlight the importance of resilience and adaptability in responding effectively while prioritizing disciple-making," Mpinga expressed. "It is essential to create an environment of love and mutual respect, especially during times of crisis. The conflicts that arose in the church during the pandemic were disheartening and poorly represented the kingdom of Christ."
He said that as a church we should aim to function beyond Sundays, acknowledging that gatherings can be disrupted unexpectedly.
"Without innovation, it risks stagnation and a downward spiral, jeopardizing its survival," Mpinga noted.
From Flourishing to Languishing aims to draw lessons from the pandemic, urging churches to concentrate on discipling, equipping, and inspiring believers to practise their faith outside of in-person meetings.
"Sufficient preparation and education in spiritual disciplines are vital for believers to enact their faith in diverse contexts, particularly during times of crisis," the author noted.
Flourishing to Languishing: Considering the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Churches and Clergy is available on Amazon.ca. Mpinga said he is not working on any further writing projects at this time.
"I invite all clergy, church members, and anyone interested in how the pandemic has affected congregational life to read this book and participate in discussions within their church communities that explore faith, resilience, and hope in the wake of this crisis," Mpinga stated.
He currently attends Centre Street Church in Airdrie.
