Let’s be honest….this social distancing is getting old and wearing thin. No I’m not suggesting in any way that we should ignore the need for safety protocols.

Instead, I’m simply acknowledging the effects of long-term social distancing on the body of Christ. Remaining distant from one another as church family is not interesting, unique, or appealing in any way at this point.

When we turned the page on 2020, one could almost hear an audible collective sigh of relief rising from the common collective of humankind on this planet.

Then, when the inauguration came and went without bloodshed, we could sense the tension level in our common life drop again.

All this is good and well, and yet…this pandemic is not done with us yet. Sure, there is hope as the vaccines roll out and Springtime is around the corner. Simultaneously, we aren’t there yet.

Last Fall I wrote an article on Pastoral Separation Syndrome, describing the distance pastors sense with their people.

Now, listening closely on this side of the New Year, it’s clear that many disciples in churches are feeling the effects of prolonged in-person distance from their church communities.

The connection strategies we used early on during this pandemic which were helpful are wearing thin. In fact, many of us may be diagnosable with Church Separation Syndrome.

Though this is a fictitious syndrome, it captures what many of us are experiencing.

I’ve identified some symptoms of Church Separation Syndrome, and I suspect you could add more to this list.