Many people’s lives have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This sickness has required the public to social distance from each other. For many, that means staying in doors with little face-to-face interaction. As a result of this, individuals are feeling lonely, anxious and frustrated.
During a difficult time, numerous Christians often turn towards the Church for support, but what happens when the Church can no longer worship and pray together in person? Churches around the world are having to transition their entire service to be streamed completely online. Correspondingly, this has caused a lot of chaotic stress for pastors and their leadership teams.
Out of my 35 years in ministry, transitioning to online services has been the steepest learning curve of my career.
Senior Pastor at Dover CHurch, Timothy Poferl
Not only have church services had to be transitioned online, but their out-reach programs have had to as well. In Orange City Iowa, Dover Church is doing everything it can to give back to its community during this time. This includes supporting the local food pantry, providing financial resources for people recently laid-off, and spiritual help for people struggling with feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Some programs such as their children’s Awana ministry have had to be cancelled due to the social distancing rules. However, Dover Church is constantly looking for innovative ways to transition more programs online.
We are not trying to replicate how church would normally be like, the situation at hand has required us to come up with innovative solutions for how out-reach programs are done.
JohnMark Poferl, Media Director for Dover Church
Other churches are also finding ways to support their communities as well. Witchita First Church of the Nazarene in Witchita KS, has launched a “Love your Neighbor” campaign during COVID-19. This out-reach program is designed to help with physical tasks like picking up groceries and childcare services. They also help with mental support through prayer and encouragement in any way they can.
University churches are also figuring out ways to their communities in any way they can. The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship in Grand Rapids, Mich. has given over 100 resources to help their congregation cope during this time. These resources include, how to pray during an anxious time, congregational songs, and ideas for parents to incorporate Christian activities with their children in their home.
Although churches are doing everything, they can to help their congregations, pastors are left wondering “What is the Church’s role in this pandemic?” Pastor Timothy Poferl has said this question is one every pastor has struggled with over the past few weeks. While this situation in not ideal, there is still hope.
The church has always been at her best, when the church is scattered, and that’s what COVID-19 has brought about.
SENIOR PASTOR AT DOVER CHURCH, TIMOTHY POFERL
Poferl also went on to say that many people have associated the idea of “church” with a building, when in reality the “church” are the PEOPLE inside the building. The coronavirus has brought about a situation where people have the opportunity to be the church in their communities.
The Christian Century Authors have published many articles on how the church can be the light amidst this pandemic. They believe it is the church’s job to show God’s love to people in this time.
It remains the church’s work to nurture human connections with God
and with others-even in times of physical separation.
The christian Century Authors
