I’ve been a little a little worried about people / churches mistaking streaming worship and preaching / teaching for church. Streaming a service, sermon or worship isn’t necessarily church. Gathering, worshipping together and listening to teaching / preaching are a part of church life. They aren’t in the fullest extent church. As we do that, it is important for us to keep in mind that online church is more than streaming.
[Read more…] about Church Online Or Online Church Is More Than StreamingWhat Every Church Leader Can Learn From the COVID-19 Crisis
The current outbreak of COVID-19 around the world is an experience unlike anything any of us have ever seen before. We’re all no doubt feeling a range of emotions: stressed, confused, frustrated, scared, and anxious. While we act it’s also good to reflect on what every church leader can learn from the COVID-19 crisis.
That’s no surprise because this global pandemic is impacting just about every aspect of our lives. Schools are closed. Travel is severely limited. Some of us have to work from home; some of us can’t work at all. Events are being changed or canceled. Sports have disappeared. In some parts of the world in-person, in the same physical space church gatherings are banned for now.
Despite all these unprecedented happenings, we can take heart from how people are responding. We’ve learned to embrace this new thing called social distancing to keep the virus from spreading. And we’re finding new ways to be generous and uplifting to one another online.
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Church Using Technology During Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Podcast #301]
Last week (March 10th) we recorded a podcast focused on the Church using technology during things like what we are currently experiencing with Coronavirus (COVID-19). At the time of the recording, some countries like Italy in Europe, and cities like Hong Kong were already in lockdown. The United States hadn’t had a single quarantine or closure in, and South Africa was just about announce stringent measures as have other countries since. Please keep that in mind while you listen to the podcast, as a lot has developed in these past 10-days (from today’s publishing).
Join the conversation on the Church using technology during Coronavirus (COVID-19) via Twitter — @ChurchMag using #cmagcast — or by email at [email protected]. We want to hear from you!
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Tools for Churches Through The Pandemic
We’ve written a few posts about navigating pandemics as a church. One of the most common asks we’ve received is for tools for churches through the pandemic. Not all tips or suggested tools may be helpful for every church but we hope you’ll find something for yours.
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A Very Basic COVID19 Response Checklist For Your Church
I’d like to think we know a little more about COVID19 from the time it broke out. As governments issue statements make plans for the growing epidemic, churches aren’t exempt. Because we’re about people and a significant part of living out our faith is in gathering. So how does a church know that it has done enough. I thought a very basic COVID19 response checklist might help get you started in some way.
[Read more…] about A Very Basic COVID19 Response Checklist For Your ChurchHow Your Church Can Effectively Communicate A COVID-19 Response
It is hard to ignore the impact the Coronavirus or COVID-19 has had on the world. Some governments are on complete quarantine, others are only not getting confirmations of positive identifications and looking at limiting the spread of this disease. Within the midst of it, the Church has to step up to the challenge. As a people of faith are not to succumb to the fears of men, but also have a responsibility to our fellow people. Our goal is to bring the hope of the Gospel, not to endanger others because we could not follow simple health instructions. So, how can your church effectively communicate a COVID-19 response?
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