A friend asked me the other day what church service I've been watching during this coronavirus pandemic. I explained I watched 3 or 4 different services this past Sunday and had been watching a number of different ones each week. These churches are pastored by friends of mine in various parts of the country, and I doubt that I will ever have the opportunity to attend their services in person. This gives me a chance to hear my friends preach and gives me a feel for their worship service. However, that got me thinking about the churches that are not doing online services. How will they be impacted once things return to whatever normal will look like?
I would suspect that many of the churches that are not doing online or social media church services are smaller churches that lack the resources or ability to have such services. When these churches are able to reopen I'm sure that many people will gladly return. After all, they have relationships with people in these churches. But, will there be those who have found other churches online during this time that will not return to their home church? I'm guessing there will be. These smaller churches will become even smaller if that happens.
I've seen no reports on financial giving to churches during this time, but it's likely to have decreased. People are unable to physically attend, and few of these churches will have online giving options set up. Unless people mail in their tithes and offerings, these churches are going to see their giving drop dramatically. Add to this the number of people suddenly without jobs and worried about how to make their payments and buy food, and you've got even less money being given to the church. This is money that is not likely to be made up later when people do return to work and to their churches. This can have a major impact on a small church's budget.
One state convention asked people to be in prayer for their bivocational ministers. Most bivocational ministers receive a major part of their personal income through their other employment. If they are unable to work, that money is gone, and if the contributions to the church dry up their church income may do so as well.
It's entirely possible that some smaller churches will not reopen when this pandemic is over. Others will have some tough times ahead of them when things begin to open up again. Let me make some suggestions about what smaller churches can do during this time.
1) In most areas drive-in churches are permitted as long as certain guidelines are met. These guidelines are not difficult to adhere to. While this may not be ideal, it is a possibility to help your people stay connected to their church and to one another. Right now, many people's lives are turned upside-down. They need something stable in their lives, and for many that stability is found in their church.
2) Broadcasting services on social media isn't that difficult. It takes a Facebook page or YouTube and a camera to make it happen. Of course, if you can get nicer equipment you can have a much better service, but start where you are with what you have. One of the larger churches in your area who have been broadcasting their services can give you some suggestions on how to get started. If your church has a junior-high age student, he or she can probably get you set up.
3) It's not difficult to get set up to receive online contributions. Your church should have that capability anyway.
4) Pastoral care is difficult right now but increasingly important. Social distancing may keep people apart physically, but through the phone and social media we can still stay in contact with one another. People are still going into the hospital, but now they are alone. They really need regular contact. One church I know provides items each week for their children so they have access to activities and Bible stories. These can be sent through email or left on porches for the young people. Small groups are still meeting through ZOOM.
There are many stories of creative ways churches are staying in contact with their members during this pandemic. Every church needs to find ways to do this that is appropriate to them. These are challenging times the nation and our churches are going through, and I believe more challenges are yet to come. With challenges come opportunities. Make sure your church is ready.
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