Because the Corona virus has hit our community, our little church has implemented elbow bumps in place of handshakes and hugs during the passing of the peace ( I am on record for eliminating the passing of the peace altogether), and enforcing intinction of the wafer during communion.
After this week's news that an Episcopal priest may have infected hundreds of his parishioners, my rector asked if there was anything else to be added to our precautionary measures. He already uses hand sanitizer before handling the host. The only other suggestion I can make would be to live stream the service.
The idea of a virtual church is not new. Many years ago I was part of an online virtual church in which one's avatar could enter a cathedral, meet other avatar congregants, and participate in a service. It didn't work to well for me due to technical factors, but I wonder if something like that might get a boost from this new virus.
There are many "real" churches who claim to have a huge virtual presence. The list found at this link shows that membership can be in the tens of thousands.
1. Life.ChurchAverage weekly attendance: 70,000
Main campus location: Edmond, OK
Online campus: Church Online
Senior pastor: Craig Groeschel
How they got here: Groeschel started Life.Church in 1996 in a two-car garage with some second-hand projection equipment. Over the past 20 years it has grown into the largest church in America. Why? About 10 years ago, Life.Church unveiled its Internet Campus, opening its doors to visitors around the world. Life.Church also has a popular Bible app, called YouVersion, and even broadcasts sermons on Second Life.
2. Church of the Highlands
Average weekly attendance: 40,000
Main campus location: Birmingham, AL
Online campus: Church of the Highlands Online
Senior pastor: Chris Hodges
How they got here: Hodges founded Church of the Highlands in 2001 with a little over 30 followers. It has since grown to 15 sprawling physical locations around Alabama. The online campus has a dedicated pastor, David Russell, and an online prayer team at the ready.
3. North Point Community Church
Average weekly attendance: 39,000
Main campus location: Alpharetta, GA
Online campus: NorthPoint.Live
Senior pastor: Andy Stanley
How they got here: Stanley founded North Point in the suburbs of Atlanta in 1995, meeting biweekly in rented facilities until the late 1990s. In 1996, the church purchased an 80-acre site in Alpharetta and they haven’t stopped expanding since then. North Point now has 15 locations around Georgia and strategic partners in 15 different states and overseas. NorthPoint.Live ties all the campuses together with themed series, social media discussion, and related blog posts.
4. Saddleback Church
Average weekly attendance: 25,000
Main campus location: Lake Forest, CA
Online campus: Saddleback Online Campus
Senior pastor: Rick Warren
How they got here: Opening with a Palm Sunday service at Laguna Hills High School in 1980, Saddleback has survived and flourished through the transition to the Internet Age under Warren, who has become internationally known for his book, The Purpose Driven Life. In addition to 14 physical locations around California, Saddleback also has campuses in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, and South Manila. Their online campus, led by Pastor Jay Kranda, allows visitors to watch live streams and join online groups or begin their own.
5. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
Average weekly attendance: 25,000
Main campus location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Online campus: Calvary Chapel Web Campus
Senior pastor: Doug Sauder (Founder: Bob Coy)
How they got here: The second oldest church on this list, Calvary Chapel opened in 1985 under colorful founder Bob Coy. The church has expanded to nine locations around Florida and recently survived a widely publicized leadership change. Calvary Chapel’s ministries include one of the largest private schools in Florida. The web campus, led by Pastor Dan Hickling, broadcasts five live services throughout the week and exists to create an “online community, (where) you can connect with others, build relationships, grow in your faith, pray, and ask great questions.”
I am not going to go into the merits or problems with these churches, but I will suggest that if your church is "doing it right", why not go online?
Cost is a major concern to be sure.
Loss of the personal touch that you get with real people is another.
But, with a bad bug being passed along at church, it is something to think about.
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It's sad that church services, one of the places we look for comfort, put us at greater risk for the virus. Being more isolated should remind us how much we need our brothers and sisters. Lent should be a time where we reflect of the providence of God.
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DeleteI noted on Sunday that the couple who are, I think, most vulnerable to this virus, and another couple, both in their 80s, were not in church. This is probably wise for the short term. There is now a hand sanitizer dispenser on the table in the narthex with the bulletins, and the priests and deacon who deliver the communion use hand sanitizer before beginning the service. I received the bread only (I'm in my 70s).
ReplyDeleteBeing a 1928 PB parish, we don't do that "passing of the peace" at all. That is one of the aspects of the '79 book which I was so sad to see included in the new ACNA liturgy. It's disruptive, in flu season it's a good way to pass on the flu, and it's intimidating to newcomers who may not be strong extraverts.
Absent something like that Georgetown parish with a real exposure to the virus, going online and cancelling the physical celebration of the prayers and the Holy Communion seems extreme.
This is a time to be responsible about staying home if ill, washing hands often if not ill, and thinking about how to organize assistance in the parish and the community if anyone gets this and needs help.
I advise using the hand sanitizer before distributing the bread.
DeleteVirtual church is now the only option in the ECUSA Diocese of Washington, DC. Services are suspended until March 29. Actually, since this is an apostate diocese, it may be better for parishioners' spiritual health. Aside from that snarky comment, of course I hope no one becomes seriously ill.
ReplyDeleteThe Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina is encouraging live streaming and says they will assist with getting a parish started.
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