Carol Daniel, BridgeWay’s Children’s Ministry Lead, recently shared in a symposium hosted by D6 Family Ministries (which produces the curriculum our Bridgekids program uses) which explored re-opening strategies for churches in the wake of Covid-19.
I asked Carol to share a report with us of what she learned, and with only minor editing, here are her notes. They are exceptional, detailed, and well-worth reading through carefully.
Please know that we want to hear your thoughts, hopes, concerns and prayers as we move toward some form of reopening. The Leadership Team has corresponded with the school district, but at the present time, Evergreen remains closed. Obviously, things may change if we see favorable outcomes as we move into the summer.
As always, stay in prayer, stay safe and stay connected with your Lord and one another.
Pastor Bear
Here is Carol’s report:
WHAT ARE THE OBVIOUS AND NOT SO OBVIOUS THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO REOPEN THE CHURCH?
FIRST…Trust has to be restored. We don’t want our neighborhood and local community to see the church as a threat…we don’t want to come rushing back together without thought given to everyone’s safety.
- Use videos to clearly state what the seating arrangement will be…how to have safe greeting at the door…how we will sanitize our worship spaces. Think of all the areas that people touch! Cleaning and sanitizing can be done in front of people so they can SEE we take this seriously.
- Rethink every part of your service. Rethink The Lord’s Table, perhaps by offering prepackaged Communion elements. Rethink the offering. Rethink the meet and greet (do we even have it?) Rethink our hospitality. We should make masks available, along with sanitizer stations. Do we take temperatures of people when they enter the building?
- Some in the congregation will be aching to rush in and hug everyone…yet some in the congregation are high risk and have family members who are more susceptible to germs and have low immune systems. WE NEED TO think about how to be loving to these folks. [NOTE FROM PBC: Here is why studying Romans 14 is so important!! Please read, or re-read my recent blog on this, here.]
- Take a survey…Ask congregants what will make them feel safe enough to return.
- Maybe have 2 services? DEFINITELY CONTINUE online productions either live-streamed or making video tape available because there are a lot of people who will NOT return until most of this is better under control. Plus, we have reached a lot of people who tuned in, so we don’t want to suddenly stop that. [NOTE FROM PBC: One idea that’s been kicked around, outside of offering an outdoor service or two this summer, is do we utilize our Community Center to offer two or three shorter, simpler services on the weekend, perhaps one Saturday service and two on Sunday.]
- Allow people to lament and grieve, for much has been lost. Pay special attention to the 2020 graduating class whether from High School or College. These young people had to make an immediate break in their routine and didn’t have the chance to say good-bye. These things cause anxiety whether obvious or hidden.
- Kids had their routine blown away…again, find clever ways to communicate to the kids what it will look like for them when they return to church. Kids should probably not be released right away into a children’s ministry program as you have been accustomed. Maybe older classes would be ok because they can understand social distancing. Volunteerism may be down. Rethink how and when to gather. One of the children’s ministers in the symposium talked about using a hula hoop as a visual for younger children because they don’t know “6 feet”. Another children’s pastor said …”There’s no way we will be able to separate kids. They will be kids and I don’t intend on stopping that.” SO, SEE…DIFFERENT FOLKS HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS. WHAT DOES BRIDGEWAY THINK.
- Make the healthcare workers and any other EMTs, service providers etc…, HEROES! Celebrate them!
WHAT ARE THE GOD MOMENTS YOU’VE SEEN? WHAT DO WE NOT WANT TO LOSE?
For the past 20 years there have been books, blogs, articles, essays, seminars and teachings from the pulpit trying to get the church to leave the building. God did it in one month!
Families are worshiping together. Parents are discipling their children (hopefully). How will kids remember this time? Our job is to relentlessly talk about God’s holiness, righteousness, mercy and justice.
One children’s minister said “If you are not intentionally taking time to be with and teach your children now, then time was never the problem. And if you are not intentionally taking time to be with God now, then time was never the problem.”
Having times like these with our children can completely change the next generation and the course of history!
Another children’s pastor said that families used to bring kids to children’s church like dry-cleaning…Here’s my kids; clean him up…Parents are discovering they can actually disciple and shepherd their children.
“If you are not intentionally taking time to be with and teach your children now, then time was never the problem. And if you are not intentionally taking time to be with God now, then time was never the problem.”
Neighbors are getting to know one another albeit it from a distance. Believers are taking church to the street…prayer walks as they are out and about, generosity to those who don’t have needs met…Telephone calls! Actual voice communication…keep this up…snail mail…birthday cards, anniversary shout-outs, graduations etc…
WHAT DO PASTORS NEED TO KNOW?
One pastor spoke about Hurricane Harvey and how much need there was. After just the first several months he was exhausted and burning out. He encourages us to realize that Covid-19 will be a marathon, not a one-season thing. They are still (3 years later) helping people with practical, emotional and spiritual needs after the hurricane. Think of this as a 3-5 year menace that will keep coming to the forefront in a variety of ways.
Pastors…take care of yourselves. Encourage the sheep to become pastors on their street. Go slowly. There will be mental health issues…fear, loss, abuse, depression, anxiety, suicides, economic crisis, people will come out of this with PTSD. We need to be able to let people know it’s OK to take medication if needed.
Take time for yourselves. You have become the preacher who pastors during this time and it will take a lot out of you. Have a team close to you and use the body of Christ to care for one another.
WHAT ABOUT FINANCES?
If giving has dropped then adjust your budget. But put $$$ toward things that are most important right now. Re-channel some dollars toward a church benevolence fund, or counseling services, technology, training, or Pastoral Care (like Stephen Ministries). Make sure there are resources not only for the congregation but for the community at large. How can we partner with other ministries or community programs to take care of others…to be Jesus…to love deeply…?
The D6 presenters especially highlighted improving technology because that is going to be an important part of the church’s future.
These are items that need to be available and enhanced. Remember this is going to be a marathon.
In Christ,
Carol Daniel