Churches are finding ways to reach Christians as people around the world observe social distancing and self-isolation due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Church leaders use technology to continue religious activities and connect with their members. Online worship services have become the norm now.
The building may be locked down, but the hearts of true worshipers cannot be locked down. —Chris Irekamba, Journalist at The Guardian Nigeria
Pastor Kou Shao En, together with three senior pastors from Taiwan, shared pointers on how to shift to the virtual world. They reminded Christians that online worship is a holistic practice wherein believers gather together at the same time in different places, reports China Christian Daily.
The pastors suggest shortening Sunday worship to 30 minutes so believers can focus on listening to the sermon online. Creating a prayer and reading group with four to eight members is also beneficial to Christians especially at this time when many people feel lonely or depressed.
In Nigeria, some churches encourage members to start Family Worship or Home Worship, similar to what early Christians did wherein they gather and worship in a house of a believer, reports The Guardian Nigeria. Despite health protocols, the Church has connected with more people through various social media platforms.
Chris Irekamba wrote, “Through worshiping at home and online, we have been able to reach far more people, more than we would have reached the normal Sunday church service. The building may be locked down, but the hearts of true worshipers cannot be locked down.”
Early this month, many churches in Germany have reopened. Church leaders have issued guidelines on strict physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and prohibiting any activity involving bodily fluids, including communal singing, according to German news broadcaster, Deutsche Welle.
Religious leaders in Germany lauded the government’s move to reopen churches. This is a “positive sign for the faithful that religious freedom and infection prevention can work together in harmony,” said Prelate Karl Justen of the German Catholic Church.
