For several months the Covid pandemic closed down almost all businesses, schools and other large gatherings including churches. Many churches scrambled to get the technology and know-how to offer their services on social media or on their websites. Some churches went beyond just offering worship services online and also provided children's ministries, Sunday school classes and even secular activities to their viewers. In many parts of the country churches are now opening up and holding in-person worship services. However, many members of their congregations are still not comfortable in a large setting even if social distancing is practiced. To serve these individuals a lot of churches continue to offer online services. While this is important it's not enough. Churches must find ways to remain connected with their members who choose to stay home.
This can be done in a number of ways. Certainly, the telephone remains a viable option as does texting and connecting through social media. While some people believe older people are not tech savvy and may not use social media or texting, they may be surprised to find out that many older persons are quite active on social media and more tech savvy than they realize.
A few years ago I was preaching a revival in a church. One night I was encouraging the church to begin using social media if they were serious about reaching younger people. I explained that I had a web site (which I've since canceled), a blog and was on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and probably sent more texts than phone calls. After the service a college student approached and asked if I was really that active on social media. When I said I was she responded, "I didn't think old people did that." Well, we do, and it's a great way to stay in contact with persons who are concerned about being out in public.
Porch visits are another way to stay in contact with members of your congregation. Most people would be comfortable with a personal visit if you didn't enter their home. Such visits would by necessity be brief, but the contact is likely to be remembered for a long time.
Sending cards is another way to staying connected. When I was in the Navy during the late 1960s I received an envelope once or twice a month from the church I was attending when I enlisted. Often, the envelope contained nothing but one or two church bulletins. Sometimes people would write little notes in the margins, sometimes they didn't. Occasionally, there would be a letter from the church. These always reminded me that little church had not forgotten me while I was away. One other thing to consider when sending cards: Have the younger children draw some cards to send to your senior saints. I can almost guarantee they will love receiving those cards.
Not only is it important that the church stays connected to their members, it's important that the church provides a way for the members to stay connected with the church. One way to do that which is often overlooked is by making it easy for members who can't attend the services in person to be able to give financially. An excellent way to do that is to offer online giving. While it may not be difficult to write a check and put it in the mail, it's a lot easier for someone to give electronically through the church's web site. BTW - The younger generation that most churches say they want to reach pays almost all their payments online. It's foreign to many of them to write a check or pay by cash. Setting up an online giving system is not difficult and allows your members who are unable to attend services in person to easily contribute to the church.
These are just some ways to stay connected with members of the congregation until it's safe for everyone to return to live services. You can probably think of other ways that will work in your setting. However you do it, be sure to not lose contact with people during this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment