C O V E R S T O R Y
09
Digitally, pastors have been able to connect
with congregants without leaving their
homes, while congregants have comfortably
connected with their leaders from a digital
space. While leaders are doing their best to
re-frame and re-imagine the post-COVID-19
Church, members are also concerned if the
doors will ever re-open, and further, if they
will feel safe enough to return. Sadly, many
leaders have been forced to make necessary
changes that may not have been favorable
to ministry partners, supporters, employees,
and families.
However, amidst the devastation caused by
the global pandemic, denominations of all
kinds have witnessed the mighty hand of God.
Research indicates that religious leaders
have experienced the move of God in many
different facets and while physical buildings
have locked doors, the Church has not closed!
As walking epistles read of men, WE are the
Church and WE have a responsibility to carry
the Gospel, regardless of what is presented
globally. From this notion, the widely used
social media platforms have shifted the scope
of “church as usual”, moving prayer, Bible
Study, Sunday School, small auxiliary group
gathers and church ministries to online
connection and conference calls.
Although the use of technology and social
media has been broadly considered as
unchartered waters for many pastors, there
are those who have embraced the mechanisms
of what it takes to engage a social climate
and those are the ones who have remained
effective during this climate. According to a
survey conducted by Pew Research Center,
Facebook and Instagram have seen a 40%
increase in usage, with views doubling in one
week as congregants are now spending more
time than ever before on social media.
Interestingly, studies emphasize that 65% of
individuals between the ages of 50-64 now use
at least one social media platform consistently
since the World Health Organization declared
the outbreak as a global pandemic.
With so many moving parts of change, it is
important the Church understands how to
efficiently communicate, adapt to the best of
its ability, and press forward.
Where do we go from here?
Is there a “secret sauce” to maintaining
church during COVID-19? Will the Church
ever normalize? How does a pastor survive?
Is Zoom the new sanctuary? Can pastors
really preach to “empty” pews? Will keeping
every family safe cost Pastors a loss in
membership? Is creating virtual ministry
effective?
These and so many other questions are no
longer abstract. Undoubtedly, they require
profound and serious examination,
organization, and skilled planning as they
challenge Pastors each week while the
pandemic continues to be the primary topic
of conversation.
Spirit Magazine raised these questions to
Pastor Bartholomew Orr and the answers
provide a sense of solace and guidance for
interdenominational ministry leaders:
What advice can you offer to Pastors who
seem disconnected from their Church
Family?
As a Pastor, I have formulated connection
with my membership by calling them on their
birthdays, as I have always done for the past
30 years of pastoring, as well as having each
member receive multiple calls from various
team members each month. Even during a
time of social distance, the Church must stay
connected. Someone maintains connection.
Although the physical building is closed, our
clerical staff has committed to help us all
stay connected. I would advise pastors to
implement systems of outreach through blogs,
social media campaigns, and calling tiers.
We have an opportunity as leaders to touch
more people now than we have ever touched
because church is literally available to
everyone at the click of a button.
Ways that we stay in touch is a strategic
method subscribed from the Book of Daniel.
In this book, we learned that the King organized
a mission and placed individuals over
different providences. With this approach, we
were able to divide the workload so that each
member can feel connected. There is no
physical building that can replace the true
power of connection.
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