08/14/2020
What I am hearing about virtual worship challenges....
1. More people are coming to virtual worship and other offerings. These include people formerly involved in the congregation, family at a distance, local people of all ages. There seems to be an opportunity here. As some churches are or will soon offer in person worship, some are framing the challenge as a two point charge, thoughtfully considering the needs of both the virtual and in person groups and creating worship that includes something for both constituents.
2. Different congregations use different virtual worship offerings. These include -
*Facebook live - typically live streaming worship, sometimes organized in familiar ways from the sanctuary, sometimes filmed at home or in the backyard.
* Zoom - an intimate way to worship that often includes videos, both created locally and used from other sources. Zoom worship is often live-streamed on Facebook, while a recorded version may be posted on YouTube.
* Pre-recorded versions posted on YouTube. These often include videos - preaching and music -- from the sanctuary.
* (Free) Conference Calls, often with order of service sent out to the congregation in advance.
3. As congregations consider offering in person worship, there seem to be four categories of survey responses.
* Those that are eager (often agitating) to return to worship now.
* Some may be willing to return with high levels of caution and rules.
*.Young families are reluctant to return because they are not sure their children can comfortably manage social distancing with their children.
* Some will not return to in person worship until the virus is managed by a vaccine or and effective treatment.
4. Different approaches that have been use.
* In car worship, with the sound coming in over the car radio.
* Renting/ using local parks
* Worshipping on the church lawn with a check in, spray paint to mark space on the grass, careful procedures for exiting. One church opened the church windows so worshippers can hear the organ.
* Stating that the virtual service remains the primary service and in person was secondary.
* Having the in person, outdoor service as primary, recording it and putting excerpts on YouTube.
* Worshipping indoors with the windows open.
* Gathering worshipper to watch the virtual service in a group.
5. Observations and questions raise by attendees.
* Creators of worship are exhausted. Volunteers are burning out, pastors are having trouble doing all that is required. Finding ways to support current volunteers and recruit new ones is crucial.
* This time of disruption calls for reflection. Some of the topics for reflection: what it means to be church, the role of the pastor, ways to support people going into the world to do work of the church, should we be supporting Facebook given its other ethics.
