Along with every other entity in the city – the state, the nation, the known world – churches are being affected by the coronavirus.
Chad Davis, pastor of The Church At 4 Points, said the biggest change for his church will be going online instead of meeting together as a unit. The spreading virus has led groups of all sorts to disband rather than meet in concert.
Usually, Davis said, the congregation downtown has about 250-300 people in attendance each week.
Working in their favor, The Church at 4 Points “is based on missional communities,” he said. “The only thing we do together each week as an entire church is the Sunday morning service. The biggest adjustment for us has been letting go of time together with our discipleship groups. At least for now.”
As most people know, churches – and whatever outreach efforts they pursue – are largely supported by collections at services. So, how does a church that is specifically posed as a missional entity intend to continue?
“Obviously, that’s one thing churches have to consider,” Davis said, noting that his church has been “positioning for stewardship so that people can give online” via a mobile app. “Sometimes, people may have to learn to give from a standpoint they’re not accustomed to. It strains some people because they aren’t used to this.”
They do have a church-wide reading plan, and plan to “pray together, and stay together, in pre-existing discipleship groups”. Currently those groups are between 10 and 40 members, but those may drop to 10 or fewer, depending on official recommendations, until “we know what we have to do long term,” Davis said.
Much of what happens at his church happens organically, “but I imagine we’ll stay together in that way, Davis said, noting that various churches connecting together through the current situation could strengthen the community as a whole.
As to when his local church members will be able to get back together under one roof: “We are just going to be waiting for the local officials to give us direction,” he said.
“Especially if this goes on for an extended length of time,” the church will have to find more ways to get online, teaching and preaching, and finding different ways “to keep people connected with each other and with God,” he continued.
In a FaceBook message on Monday, Davis said, “Sunday was hard, as I missed being with our extended church family. I love these people deeply, and love being with them and doing life with them. Not being able to be in person with our entire church was difficult. So part of me mourned yesterday even though I know this is a temporary season.
“But at the same time, I was thankful for the reminder that the church is not built around a program, nor an event, but instead the people. I was thankful for technology, and the gifted people in our church who made sharing in the word together possible.
“Many of our brothers and sisters around the world NEVER have the gift of meeting in a large group for worship and Bible study. It is a blessing we often take for granted.”
