Keeping our Virtual Doors Open for the Church: A discussion starter

Last night I wrote a blog about online communion. I didn't advocate for it's normalcy. Matter of fact, I think we should gather for communion. However, that in light of what our nation is facing the topic needs to be explored. Multiple New Testament principles do demonstrate that communion at home should only occur when there are no other options such as physical illness, a serious life threatening situation, a national crisis or other situation that justifies staying home. 

Instead of bickering about if we can take communion in our cars, online or standing on our heads, I believe we need to be thinking about how we can effectively reach the lost and will we be keeping our "Online doors" open once this pandemic ends and things go back to normal. 

According to “State of the Online Church,” led by Saddleback Church’s Online Campus Pastor Jay Kranda, 59 percent of churches have seen physical growth since launching an online ministry. The study, conducted in partnership with Vanderbloemen and Pushpay, is based on data from 176 online and digital church leaders.  

  

Overall, 58 percent said they agree that online ministry is helpful to their church. Thirty-eight percent saw an increase in giving since launching their online ministry. Meanwhile, around 15 percent said they are unsure of the impact. Not everyone does “internet church” or “church online” the same. While most do live streaming, 52 percent of those surveyed said they offer the full church service (message and worship) on-demand. And 47 percent provide on-demand messages only. But church online doesn’t stop there for many. Most (81 percent) also offer prayer online, 72 percent offer giving opportunities, 58 percent provide pastoral care, 54 percent present serving opportunities, 52 percent offer online groups and 25 percent provide home small groups.

When the Reformers grasped the implications of the printing press for distributing Bibles, they crossed a Rubicon from which there was no return. In the same way, over the past few weeks, churches have used technology and launched themselves into the online world as never before. The problem is that, depending on how long the lockdown lasts, tuning into church in your pajamas becomes a changed behavior that changes a culture. There may well be a joyous return to parish churches for the first communion in a post-social-distancing euphoric eucharist; but we need to ensure that the bounce-back lasts. 

What ideas are your churches looking at to keep people coming back to the church and possibly adding online offerings?