3 Resources to Prepare for Chapter 2 of Your Church’s COVID-19 Response

Many churches are engaging in the same conversation right now.

What does it look like to reopen our church building?

This has been the main topic with our church leadership team this week.

We see this as our “Chapter 2” response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Chapter 1 was broadcasting our church services exclusively online, preaching from our living rooms, and figuring out how to lead communion virtually.
  
  
• Chapter 2 is…well, we’re not 100% sure what it’s going to look like yet. We’re still working on building out the plan, but we know we need one before gathering restrictions begin to ease.

Amid these conversations, I’ve been watching, listening, and reading a lot of great content to help us develop a plan for the next phase of doing church.

To be honest, I feel like a fish out of water in this season, and I’m leaning heavily on others to help with ideas.

I came across three resources that I found helpful, and as you are discussing “Chapter 2” in your church, I hope you will too.

Carey Niewwhof - Avoid This Big Mistake

I find Carey Niewwhof to be an incredibly wise and smart leader.

I enjoy reading his blog and his podcast, in my option, is one of the best church leadership podcasts.

In his blog post Avoid This Big Mistake: Stepping Back Into the Past When You Step Back Into Your Building, Carey talks about what we’ll miss as church leaders if we go back to doing church the same way we did before the quarantine. 

COVID-19 has changed the way many of us were doing church.

It’s forced us to adapt.

Carey makes some strong arguments about why church leaders will need to continue to adapt as we physically step back into our church buildings.

I encourage you to read and consider ways that your church may need to continue adapting as the shelter-in-place orders begin to lift. 

Simon Sinek - These are Not Unprecedented Times

If you’re not familiar with Simon Sinek, he’s a brilliant writer and speaker.

His latest book Infinite Game is worth reading, especially in this season.

In this recorded Zoom call with his team, Simon shares his thoughts on the need to continually adapt as an organization.

I loved watching this video because Simon points out that what we are experiencing is not unprecedented in that change is always happening, and the organizations that adapt are the ones that remain successful.

I found this video to be energizing. It feels like a good halftime talk from your coach.

Let’s go, team!

Churchome

Our church is leaning towards a church at home approach to “Chapter 2.”

We are convinced the disruptions we’re experiencing during COVID are a huge opportunity.

People are hungry for connection, relationship, and truth.

We are putting together plans to resource and empower our attendees to invite friends, family, and neighbors into their homes for a meal, conversation, and to watch our online church service. 

Churchome built their entire model of ministry around this idea BEFORE the COVID crisis.

They have vast  experience in this area of ministry, which I found very helpful as we discuss this idea within our church.

If you’re considering church at home, their website is a great resource.

Wrap Up

I hope these resources are helpful for you and your church.

If you’re aware of other great resources, please share them.

We can all use the support as we navigate “Chapter 2” with our churches.