The phrase “I’m going to church” is technically incorrect but used frequently. It implies that the “church” is the building or location rather than the people. In the New Testament, the Greek word used for church is ecclesia which translates to “a group of people with a common purpose” and is the same word that is used for the group of people that stoned Stephen (Acts 7.54-60). This is quite a clear sign that the early church’s meetings weren’t about going to a specific place to worship. The purpose of their meetings was to worship God together, share their lives and be in community. In the times of Coronavirus pandemic and physical distancing, many churches have had to rethink what it means to be “ecclesia” and change their structures to continue their worship together.
“Church isn’t stopping. It’s just going to look different.”
Most churches have had to think quickly and creatively to continue their programme or activities, as well as keeping their community going. This has meant restructuring weekly routines and programmes, changing the way services work and rethinking outreach.
One thing almost every church has had to think about is how to hold their regular Sunday services. Many churches have started livestreaming their services online at the time of their usual services, and in a similar style, often choosing to keep the recording of the livestream online for people to catch up on at a later time. Other churches, usually ones with smaller congregations, have decided to structure their Sunday services more like a family video call through video conferencing services, such as zoom. The two models each have different advantages. While livestreamed services are more easily shared with people outside the church and the threshold for new people to join is lower, the video conference style services allow more space for people to share fellowship like they would do at regular church meetings.
Another major part of church that congregations are having to rethink is how to maintain a sense of community. Zoom calls and livestreams on YouTube just aren’t the same as catching up over a mug of tea or praying together after a service. As a result, many churches are emphasising the importance of the regular small/cell group model, usually continuing existing groups on zoom. Apart from small groups, churches have been creative in finding ways to strengthen relationships within the church. Some have arranged church members living close to each other to contact and check up on one another. Other churches have set up a buddying system, pairing the whole congregation with one person to regularly check in on and pray for.
But churches are not only focussing on themselves. Many are stepping out into their local areas and offering spiritual and practical support. Many churches have recognised a great need in their local communities during this pandemic and are promoting volunteering within their congregations and offering help to people in need. The volunteering opportunities vary from supporting the NHS, to helping at food banks, to simply calling vulnerable people in the community.
Challenges and opportunities:
The most obvious challenge with many of these technology-focused models of church is providing access to those not equipped with or unsure of how to use such technology. This can especially be a problem for the elderly generation in churches, which is why a strong community is especially important. Buddying systems can not only help people in the church connect with each other and feel valued, but it can also help unlikely friendships develop across generations.
One of the biggest opportunities in this very digital way of doing church, is how simple it is to invite others to “come along” and for those who might be uncomfortable going to a physical church meeting to experience a church service for the first time. With this opportunity, however comes the challenge of engaging with these people once the lockdown is eventually over. Some who partake in online church services might feel inclined to check out the actual church service once they are safe to happen again, but many might have enjoyed church from the comfort of their home but will probably have no contact to anyone in the church and feel no need to go to any church meetings once quarantine is over.
In conclusion, while many churches have moved much of their program online, the church is very much still on the ground, helping neighbours and trying to live in community with each other but also with those on their streets or in their villages. Despite the challenges that come with having to physically distance, the church is working on building stronger relationships within and outside the church to make sure no one has to struggle on their own.
- By Debbi Curtius