Ways to Stay Engaged with Fellow Church Members Post-Pandemic

It’s been three years since the coronavirus first hit the US, and the pandemic shows no signs of letting up. Despite improved protection from vaccines and booster shots, we’ve all learned to come to terms with the fact that the illness and deaths that came with the virus have become a reality that we must learn to adjust our lives around.

That is not to say that most of us don’t still long for the things we’d unabashedly enjoyed in our pre-pandemic lives. While some people miss going to college for in-person classes and others miss concerts, many of us miss attending church.

Despite COVID restrictions easing up around the nation and churches re-opening, it can hardly be said that the condition of these church networks is precisely as it used to be. Reports show a sharp decline in the number of US millennials associated with the church in the present time compared to the number from several years back.

Right now is the most crucial time for churches to re-strategize and find new ways to keep their clergy, ministries, and other members connected. This will ensure that the sermonizing of Christ’s message and all missionary work can continue unobstructed despite limiting circumstances. Here are some ways to stay engaged with fellow church members:

Online and other Digital Resources For Church Members

For frequent and quick communication, online platforms that allow live-streaming, online meetings, and virtual hangouts are the best tools. Bible study groups can continue to meet over virtual platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts, and sermons can be live-broadcasted on YouTube. If your church has an official website, provide links to downloadable religious resources.

There are countless more high-tech and frequently evolving online tools for staying organized in a digital sphere that you can leverage during this time.

Connect with Other Churches

If you are a small church organization with few resources, you can try connecting with other congregations in your area. This allows church communities to stay in touch with one another and helps one another out when it comes to sharing resources and services.

Here are 10 Practical Ways to Stay Connected:

1. Maintain Virtual Services and Gatherings: Many churches have adapted by offering virtual services through platforms like Zoom, Facebook Live, or YouTube. Continue to embrace virtual gatherings to support members who cannot make a live event.

2. Small Group Meetings Online: Small groups can meet via video conferencing for Bible studies, prayer meetings, or to check in with each other. This helps maintain a more personal connection within the larger church community.

3. Social Media Engagement: Using social media platforms for daily or weekly devotional posts, inspirational messages, or interactive discussions can keep the church community engaged. It’s also a great way to share updates and encourage each other.

4. Phone Calls and Emails: Regular phone calls or emails can be a lifeline for members who may not be tech-savvy. These personal touches are essential for those who might feel isolated.

5. Online Prayer Requests and Support Networks: Create a system for members to submit prayer requests online. This can be a dedicated part of your church’s website or a simple Google form. Encourage members to pray for each other and offer support.

6. Virtual Choirs or Musical Collaborations: Consider creating virtual performances if your church has a choir or musical group. Members can record their parts individually, which can be edited together for a unique musical offering during online services.

7. Delivery of Care Packages or Communion Kits: Organize volunteers to safely deliver care packages or communion kits to members’ homes. This can be a tangible way to show care and maintain a sense of community.

8. Online Workshops or Seminars: Host workshops, Bible studies, or seminars online on topics relevant to your church community. This can be an opportunity for learning and engagement.

9. Youth and Children’s Activities: Create virtual activities or challenges for children and youth. Online Sunday school, game nights, or talent shows can be fun for younger members to stay connected.

10. Service Projects: Organize safe and socially-distanced service projects. This can include writing letters to nursing home residents, creating care packages for frontline workers, or other community service activities.

Support Your Ministries

The pandemic is a crisis, and it is very likely that the ministries at your church, especially those responsible for social work, are overwhelmed. Try reaching out to them so you’re able to assess their needs. They may be short on manpower, so you can offer them your helping hand in volunteer work. You can also lend them your financial support or offer to link them with other resources.

If in-person services have restarted at your church, you’ll need liability protection against lawsuits arising from exposure to the coronavirus. Our team of church insurance brokers can help you connect with church insurance companies across the US for liability coverage. Contact us now.