How will we regather the church after pandemic?

The Covid-19 pandemic is an inflection point for the church everywhere—and certainly for the Episcopal Church. The sudden flowering of creativity, connection, and collaboration is an expression of the Holy Spirit’s relentless presence within the church; yet ongoing distancing creates difficulties to be overcome on the other side of the present crisis.

How will we change habits of isolation and regather the church? How will we manage the impact on church finances? How is God calling us to embrace the energy and creativity of this moment—and the longing people have felt for a return to community? What challenges will we face regathering the people of God, particularly in already weakened communities?

We Shall Be Changed is a gathering of brief essays from thought leaders around the church on pressing topics that the church needs to be considering now—in preparation for the end of this pandemic. The book is designed to spur conversation within parishes, fellowship groups, and clergy gatherings about how to embrace the gifts this time has given while anticipating and addressing the very real challenges the church will confront in its wake.

Contributions by: Paul-Gordon Chandler, Shane Claiborne, Lorenzo Lebrija, Greg Garrett, Lizette Larson-Miller, Andrew McGowan, Deanna Thompson, Elise Erickson Barrett, Miguel Escobar, James W. Murphy, Kelly Brown Douglas, Molly Baskette, Jeffrey Lee, Sarah Birmingham Drummond, C. Andrew Doyle, Robert C. Wright