Covid effects on worship

[GordW]

Glood to know. So I guess the chief difference is that here live-streaming seems long gone.

In our case livestreaming was being talked about by some for several years before 2020, the pandemic gave a push to get started on it. We continue to livestream not because of anything Covid related but as a way for people to attend when they otherwise could not and/or a place where potetnial attendees cans have a safeer way to get a sense of who we are as a congregation.

On a few occassions Baptism families have really appreciated it because their families were several provinces away and could not come for the baptism.

 

[Mystic]

In our case livestreaming was being talked about by some for several years before 2020, the pandemic gave a push to get started on it. We continue to livestream not because of anything Covid related but as a way for people to attend when they otherwise could not and/or a place where potetnial attendees cans have a safeer way to get a sense of who we are as a congregation.

On a few occassions Baptism families have really appreciated it because their families were several provinces away and could not come for the baptism.

though I recognize the positives, my concern for small congregations is the growing perception that dwiindling numbers signify a dying congregation and undermine the sense of virbrant fellowship from warn face to face encounters.

 

[GordW]

though I recognize the positives, my concern for small congregations is the growing perception that dwiindling numbers signify a dying congregation and undermine the sense of virbrant fellowship from warn face to face encounters.

It is an issue for sure. There is a fear taht people will find it to easy to just turn on the screen and not get out. OTOH, many people have said (mainly just after we started doing both) how much better it feels to be there in person -- some will then watch later because they find the sound better/clearer on line.

However to stop streaming would mean shutting out some who would dearly love to attend but simply can not anymore. Both/and seems to be the faithful response for us anyway. Other churches make different choices based on different realities. Certainly Roman Catholicism (and possibly any other highly sacramental churches) would have a real problem with on-line only.

 

[JayneWonders]

The software gave the opportunity to have recordings made, as well. The congregation that I was attending placed services on youtube.
Chat occurred during the service.

It was used for funeral services, organization meetings, committee meetings, small group, coffee chat, bible study.
You name it, if you needed to gather, then attempts would be made to do it

It continues.
It saves travelling on days when we are advised to stay off the road.
It reduced time to travel for a minister who lived 30min away, especially when the meetings were in the evening.

anyhow, community was sustained.
People wanted to be together, and did join when we could, but...that line of when the risk of being together was less than the need to be together was different for everyone.

i'm thankful for technology that helped people form community.

note: i often attended two services -- one in BC to enjoy, and one that I was helping to facilitate.

 

[BetteTheRed]

My son and I live far away from each other. On occasional Sundays, when neither big guy or I have a role, I like watching the service together on line (he has to get up early) and yacking about it on FB.

 

[BetteTheRed]

And even with global warming, Central Ontario weather can be a bit dicey in winter. Fewer feet of snow, more freezing rain. Why not offer worshippers a choice? Board members a choice? I love my Tuesday night group on line. We're mainly old, those who still drive don't need to unnecessarily in the dark. Covid-19 has had a very flexible effect on all aspects church.
We entertain a group called Third Age Barrie, which has year round short lecture series around contemporary political/social/cultural themes, with a senior focus. They have a loyal following. They helped fund some of our livestream expenses. Post-pandemic, they now sell on-line and in-person subscriptions, great for seniors who don't have transportation, are home bound etc.

 

[Luce NDs]

Much of contemporary social activity is ribald ... kind 've out there in a brutal way! Mindless ...frivolity? Sometimes we need a break and others get hung up on it ... thus Dooley-ism and there it dangles ... bated? Breths ... mindlessness is easier they say ... beta than cursed with great thought!

 

[Waterfall]

I wonder if it could also be used as a tool to familiarize non church people with the church?
I would think actually walking into an unfamiliar environment would be daunting. eg: hymns, prayers, church routines, etc...
Online learning could be the first icebreaker.

 

[Mendalla]

I wonder if it could also be used as a tool to familiarize non church people with the church?
I would think actually walking into an unfamiliar environment would be daunting. eg: hymns, prayers, church routines, etc...
Online learning could be the first icebreaker.

Possibly. I would not be surprised to find some unchurched folks, especially ones who grew up in a church but left as teens or in college, using the livestreams to "check things out".

 

[Luce NDs]

What can you actually teach to the unknowing and unfamiliar with alien conceptualizations? Thus the potential of nothing erupts as my old Gramps suggested .... close to heaven they say as vast void domain. Imagine that when the authorities claimed it was hard plastic ... thermos matter that you see through? Make the Mos tuff ide ... for much of it is intangible ... unless condensed and rendered down ... problematic!

 

[jimkenney12]

A minister in this region visited five congregations without ministers this summer. He had trouble determining which entrance to use for 4 of those churches. Many churches do not make it easy for visitors to even attend church. Online can be friendlier.

 

[BetteTheRed]

Now, we do shut down our livestream for five weeks from beginning of August to after Labour Day. Gives our main livestream person, and our two default tech people (slides and sound) a break each year. We announce it clearly.

 

[Luce NDs]

Thus off-line Christianity for those taking the alternate route ... reading in varied texts ... that's how the word spreads ... word is big in some spreads ... small print is something of a legal malformation! Do not ignore the wee characters ... they may have consumed something of virtue ... its just how it goes down ... descending orders!

Yah, its a strange line of progress ... then your beyond the common ...

 

[Jae]

Thus off-line Christianity for those taking the alternate route ... reading in varied texts ... that's how the word spreads ... word is big in some spreads ... small print is something of a legal malformation! Do not ignore the wee characters ... they may have consumed something of virtue ... its just how it goes down ... descending orders!

Yah, its a strange line of progress ... then your beyond the common ...

Your reflections on Christianity's spread are profound. It’s true that God's Word can reach us in many different ways, and that the smallest details hold great significance. The “wee characters” you mention remind me of how even our journey's insignificant parts carry deep virtue.

It’s indeed a unique path we walk, often filled with unexpected turns. Your thoughts on the “strange line of progress” resonate with the idea that our spiritual growth takes us beyond the ordinary, leading us to deeper grasping.

Your views beautifully remind us that every part of our spiritual journey contributes to our overall growth. Keep sharing your insights - they're valuable

 

[Mendalla]

A minister in this region visited five congregations without ministers this summer. He had trouble determining which entrance to use for 4 of those churches. Many churches do not make it easy for visitors to even attend church.

Keeps the riff-raff out, I guess.

 

[Luce NDs]

The riff' dis thus raff dead along ... dead Pan? Lower lights eh ...