Last night I was toying with a mapping tool that I sometimes use to scope out bike routes. It is based on the Google Maps API, and has features that allow small line segment drawing for routes and also a graph for elevation changes along the entirety of the route.
The thought ran through my head -- what if we have hugely expensive oil / $7-8/gal gasoline prices. How would that affect my pastoral ministry -- especially making calls on the flock? How would that affect the ability of our far-flung membership to make it to mid-week activities? To worship services on the Lord's Day? How would that affect the fellowship of the saints, how we interact with one another?
Some of our families live 18-50 miles from the church's facilities (farthest reaches, from north to south=70 miles; east-west=68 miles). If things got really bad, my guess is that our elders would probably think that real oversight of these families would be impractical and recommend that they look seriously at 1) relocating their membership to an evangelical congregation in their immediate environs; or, 2) physically relocate to the neighborhood surrounding the church's facilities (some are already either doing that or planning to do that in the near to middle future).
Another possibility is to "circuit ride" in making pastoral visits (both in town and out of town) (have Schwinn, will travel). I envisioned a scenario where I'd ride out to visit a family out in the boonies, spend the night with them, and then ride to the next family. I've already done a couple of pastoral visits in-town using my bike, as well as going to appointments to check up on folks, drink coffee, etc.
Mid-week prayer meetings might be shifted to include online participation. We'd probably shift more to a truly parish-type ministry.
