Congregations in the Charis Fellowship are experiencing a new normal as efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) put a halt to large group meetings and individuals are encouraged to self quarantine.
Many churches were forced to cancel weekend worship services as governmental leaders imposed restrictions on the size of groups that could meet. While some states gave grace to religious services, it seems most followed governmental guidelines and opted for online services broadcast via Facebook Live or other streaming service, according to a survey sent to pastors by GraceConnect. Smaller congregations still met this past Sunday, but admitted that may change in the future.
“We had service,” said Isaac Whiting, pastor of Community of Hope in Surrey, British Columbia. “About a third less people were present but a similar number of people more on the livestream.” He says that this week will be different as government officials have asked that gatherings have no more than 50 people. The church of about 90 regularly livestreams worship services via YouTube.
Smaller churches in the U.S. also met this past Sunday, but are evaluating the situation week-to-week. “We are a small congregation,” said Gary R. Teaster of Riner Grace Brethren Church, Riner, Va. “This past Sunday we proceeded as normal. We will monitor and modify as necessary.”
At Altoona, Pa., First Grace Brethren Church met on Sunday, but are using “EZ talks” conference video app to conduct Bible studies and pray time, according to John C. Townsend, pastor.
In addition to online services, other churches are finding creative ways to connect with their congregations.
At Grace Fellowship, Pickerington, Ohio, staff has developed resources for a home worship experience, according to a video announcement from Pastor Keith Minear. The church has also changed the theme of their teaching series for the next few weeks.
Jim Brown, pastor at Grace Community Church, Goshen, Ind., led their regular Wednesday evening Prayer Encounter on Facebook Live. Broadcasting from his home with his wife, Anne, at his side, he led prayer time for about an hour. On Thursday, he reported that he’d received a message from a teenage girl who watched the live stream service and gave her life to Jesus! “I love how God turns things into good!,” he said. “All praise to Jesus!”
Churches are also creating special online programming for children’s and student ministries. Bible studies and other small group meetings are being conducted via online conferencing or through Facebook Messenger.
While most churches are looking ahead for the next few weeks, many realize that Easter and spring communion services might be impacted.
“It would appear that our state has mandated that no meetings over 10 people should be happening,” says Scott Becker, pastor of Grace Church, Lancaster, Pa. “We will not be able to have our congregation together for three-fold communion or Easter Sunday, because this mandate is on for the next eight weeks.”
“Our Easter egg hunt is cancelled,” noted Devin Livingston of Community of Grace Church, Richmond, Va. “Three-fold communion usually held around Easter is postponed. Easter services may be all online.”
At Western Reserve Grace Church, Macedonia, Ohio (Jason Haymaker, pastor), the community Easter egg hunt is postponed as they plan an “Easter in July” event instead, “since we have 20,000 stuffed eggs!” reports Sarah McMahon, director of marketing.
On the national level, Inspire Charis Pastors Network president, Mark Lingenfelter sent at message of encouragement to pastors via email. “As we all pray for God’s wisdom about what to do and how to best communicate with our people, I wanted to take just a moment to pray for each one of you through this note of encouragement,” he wrote.
Inspire has also set up at resource page at inspirepastors.org/covid for those who need help, or can provide assistance, to pastors or churches with livestream technology.
Other resources are available at charisfellowship.us/page/covid.
“As you know, we are living in unprecedented times,” said Charis Fellowship executive director Phil Sparling, who is also pastor at Grace Community Church, Auburn, Calif. “Reaching our communities for Christ has never been more fluid than it is right now. Working together as Charis churches has never been more important.” He plans to send a video greeting on Friday.