in Vital Posts and filtered by Volunteers/Volunteering, Discernment, Pastoral Care + 1 other(s)
By Ken Howard
The Chinese word for crisis is a combination of the ones for danger and opportunity. We have the opportunity to welcome new parishioners through the magic of online church and Zoom. There is a bit of danger in that there are idiots who like to “zoombomb” meetings. But we cannot discount the opportunity just because there is the possibility of embarrassment.
By Alan Bentrup
In his blog, Evangelism, Connection, and Our New (Virtual) Reality, Alan Bentrup gives us suggestions on how to conduct church services now so that we reach the most people in the best ways possible.
By Annette Buchanan
You might say that “Those dratted televangelists make a mockery of religion!” Maybe, but they have to have done something right to be around for so long. In our latest blog, Annette Buchanan looks at what we might borrow from them to help our own ministries.
By Greg Syler
In our latest blog, Greg Syler applies the Invite Welcome Connect method to the new paradigm of virtual church. As he says, no one wanted to learn how to do church in quite this way but many have done online services very well considering. Here are some thoughtful questions and suggestions to help improve your work.
By Ken Mosesian
Ken Mosesian takes stock of our new reality and encourages us as lay and clergy leaders to continue moving forward towards the light, creating virtual resources that will sustain our congregations until we can be physically together again.
By ECFVP Editorial Team
Below you will find resources we’ve gathered from across the Church, designed to inform and support us through the current COVID-19 pandemic.
By Annette Buchanan
Annette Buchanan tackles vestry shortfalls in communication and knowledge. Here she shares her church’s recommendations for a strong, transparent vestry.
By Richelle Thompson
A church coloring book? Sure, why not? It’s a creative and accessible way to teach both children and adults about the church and its traditions. Using drawings done by artists in the congregation also honors their talents.
By Richelle Thompson
Richelle Thompson shares the story of Graeter’s ice cream’s copy editing error to make a valuable pint, uh, point, that we are quick to cast blame and slow to extend grace. This company’s act of Christian charity is an example of humility for all of us members of the “gotcha!” culture.
By Hilary Bogert-Winkler
Hilary Bogert-Winkler argues that millennials as a group have a particular relationship with authenticity. The churches she’s seen that are thriving and that have a healthy number of millennials and their families are churches that have a firm sense of who they are.