Q&A

A: Many churches have expressed the idea that online worship is going to be around for a while. Most churches who offer an online worship option advise starting small with basic equipment and upgrading as budgets allow. Another suggests searching online and on Youtube for resources from other churches on livestreaming on a reasonable budget. Overall, most agree that those who choose to offer online services should use a good-quality, accessible, and sustainable platform which is easy to use for everyone. Some even suggest hiring someone to manage church media and streaming.

Connecting congregations separated by space can be difficult. One small church adapted to this issue by streaming via Zoom with in-sanctuary cameras and microphones for the congregation. They report that this setup has allowed for their services to feel more personal, rather than "like watching TV". Some other churches project their Zoom meetings in their sanctuaries so that all congregants can see each other in real time. One church notes that remote congregants practice involvement by submitting videos to be incorporated into the service.

Churches have adopted practices such as regularly emailing devotionals to congregants, sending regular check-in emails, and developing a congregational app to share information. This helps congregants to stay informed and avoid feelings of isolation. One church notes that its tech-savvy members have also volunteered to teach others how to use technology and use their church's online services.

Churches have also turned to "old fashioned" methods of communication to reach seniors and those who are not able to be reliant on technology: regular phone calls, mail, and in-person visits are common examples of how churches are checking-in. Churches also report delivering resources like communion packets and hard copies of worship materials to help connect. One church notes developing a partner program in which members of the congregation are paired with "at risk" members in order to develop a deeper sense of community during times of separation.

A: Some churches have reported a loss of membership while others have seen growth in their numbers. Congregations have noticed that people usually either join or leave due to difference of opinion.

Some churches note, though, that much of their growth is occurring from people in their community because of their outreach efforts. In particular, many churches express that online worship options are beneficial for growth since community members are able to easily join online services and "return" if they would like. Many churches which have adopted an online worship option report that this presence and attendance has indeed grown noticeably, some even reaching people throughout the US and Canada.

A: Plenty of respondents have expressed tension among congregants due to differences of opinion. One church reports using honest but loving dialogue in order to navigate conflict and celebrate unity in Christ. Another offers that they stress valuing relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ more than preferences and opinions. Some respondents offer that pointing people to show grace rather than expect grace has been helpful for them in navigating these conversations.

Many respondents share that their congregations are reminded that this situation poses a unique opportunity to practice loving our neighbors, as well as patience and understanding, which has helped to lessen tensions. A common sentiment is that issues need to be discussed in person, not from behind screens, and without judgement and assumptions.

One church explains that they specifically dealt with issues concerning masking by offering multiple church services: one which is mask-optional, one which is mask-requested, and a livestream option. Another church offers both a service with regulations in place and one without such precautions in order to best serve both groups. Yet, many respondents express that no change made to worship will please the entire congregation, which is important to bear in mind.

Among responses, stress and frustration are shared as common responses to division, but patience, acceptance, and perseverance are valuables virtues needed to address the situation.

A: Many churches report that they struggle with losing in-person worshippers ultimately due to the convenience of online worship. Respondents recommend consistent encouragement to congregants, helping them to see the value of corporate worship. Some churches urge to keep connecting with people, as personal connection and care is crucial to keep congregants invested and knowing that their church family cares about them. One church offers that they plan to pause sharing online services in an attempt to encourage people to return to in-person worship.

A: Many respondents did not report implementing special changes to discipleship in their church, however, many others did offer their experiences. These include:

• Implementing and/or continuing to offer regular Bible studies, prayer meetings, small groups, book readings, and one-on-one ministries that meet online and/or in-person

• Sending regular messages of encouragement--such as emails, phone calls, and videos--to the congregation from pastors and leadership

• Surveying the congregation to assess their needs

• Offering coffee time over Zoom following services where congregants could talk to each other in different groups

• Making house calls to homebound congregants to check in and deliver worship materials

A: Though numerous respondents did not report implementing special changes to community outreach during this time, many others did offer their experiences with outreach. These include:

• Hosting online events

• Hosting in-person events such as drive-in movie nights

• Taking food to first responders and praying with them on a weekly basis

• Hosting an outdoor coat and shoe sale

• Inviting community members to worship via social media promotion, news paper articles, and by sharing resources such as livestream links

• Volunteering and serving either outdoors or indoors in places such as soup kitchens and homeless shelters and following the organizations' guidelines

• Delivering food relief boxes to those in need, safely offering community meals, and hosting food pantries either as a drive-through or with precautions implemented

• Financially supporting community members and organizations in need

• Offering land for community use, including as a free COVID testing site, as a space for groups and ministries which have lost meeting places, and as a shelter for homeless people

• Offering virtual mentoring programs for community members

• Hosting learning pods and tutoring groups for children in remote learning situations

• Using outdoor signs to direct the community to the churches' websites and worship resources

• Offering video streaming system for groups in the community which want to broadcast their services

A: Though this has been a season of stress and tension for many reasons, most churches were able to reap some benefits. Yet, it is important to note that many churches have indeed struggled and did not benefit from the changes experienced during this time.

Most churches which saw benefits report that their online worship efforts have proven most fruitful, as they have been able to preach to those who are homebound and people from all over the country via technology. They agree that these efforts will continue to be offered in order to support this effort.

Many churches found joy in worshipping outdoors together and expressed interest in continuing this effort. One response remarks that they realized that Jesus and his friends did most of their work outside, so they could too.

Other churches express gratitude for this opportunity to practice lament, hospitality, and intentional connection in a new way. One church notes being much more intentional about checking in on other congregants, despite being a family of hundreds.

A: Many churches either do not offer a childcare option at this point or they offer a program similar to that which was offered before the pandemic. Churches in between implement a variety of specific precautions into their children's church programs, including:

• Requiring online registration of children ahead of time

• Limiting the number of children allowed in each room

• Offering an online option

• Giving children their own individual craft supplies

• Regularly disinfecting toys and other frequently used items

• Requiring children to bring their own snacks

• Choosing not to serve snacks/drinks

• Enforcing social distancing and/or masking among children and adults in all cases

• Enforcing social distancing and/or masking if parents requested it

A: Respondents have some wisdom to offer:

• "Be patient with change and don't give up on God using the pandemic to grow His church."

• "Be open to responding to new ways of doing ministry that God is opening up."

• "Be who you are in your online presence. Don't compare yourself to bigger congregations - what you have is what you have, and you can do wonderful things with it. Each church is unique - your style of worship will be true to who you are as a community of faith, so trust that."

• "We have learned how to be flexible! We had been so set in how the church was supposed to be. Now we have learned how to hold schedules loosely."

Some general but common responses include:

• Keep the church doors open whenever possible--congregations thrive while participating in communal, in-person worship.

• It is important to consider that those who are attending online worship need rest, as screen fatigue is common at this time

• Recruit multiple volunteers/employees--especially if they are recruited for their tech services--to give others a break and prevent burn out.

• Congregants need a sense of connection in order for their spiritual lives to thrive. This can happen by providing worship services but also by finding ways to connect people with one another. Relationships are key.

• If you are offering an online worship option, resources like Zoom are great for encouraging participation among congregants, but options like Facebook and YouTube are helpful for easy sharing of sermons (especially to those outside of your community).

• Know your community, see their needs, and meet them. Staying in contact with the congregation is crucial on the part of church leadership.