According to a June 2020 survey conducted by the American Enterprise Institute nearly 2 out of 3 Americans (64%) are not comfortable returning to in person worship at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic. Group Differences Interestingly, this research found that white Evangelical Protestants are the most ready to return to in person worship. The percentage who responded that they were either somewhat comfortable or very comfortable attending a worship service in person by religious Read More …
COVID-19
Teaching Sunday School in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1874)
I've taught dozens of adult Sunday school classes over the years, mostly during the twenty years I served in congregational ministry. Since joining First Presbyterian Church last May, I've taught a few adult Sunday School classes as a volunteer. All of these experiences were in a pre-COVID-19 world. And, all classes were taught in classrooms, libraries, sanctuaries, fellowship halls, or other physical spaces on the campus of a local congregation. Online Sunday School First Read More …
Prayer in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1868)
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I'm more aware of the importance of prayer and I'm spending more time praying. Prayer in Corporate Worship As I've participated in worship in congregations I know well and in those I am less familiar with, I've noted changes in prayer. The changes are varied and include who prays (limited by technology or use of a single sacred space with concern for others being physically present) what is included in the prayers (a blend of new concerns Read More …
The Coming Wave of Permanent Church Closures (#1867)
Last September I debunked the popular notion that 10,000 congregations close each year in America. Based on the best information available, the number of congregations closing each year in recent years has likely been between 3,850 to 7,700. These numbers reflect a closure rate of 1% to 2% a year. COVID-19 Alters Projections A recent Faith and Leadership article, "Will the church financially survive the COVID-19 pandemic," featured the wisdom of twelve diverse leaders. Bill Read More …
A Moral Message for the United States (#1861)
Yesterday, 53 years to the day after the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the historic "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence" address at Riverside Church (NYC) and 52 years to the day after he was assassinated, the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II delivered a moral message for the nation titled "We Can't Be Silent Any More: Knowing the Symptoms of a Nation Approaching Spiritual Death." Dr. King named racism, poverty, and militarism as three evils placing the Read More …
Life in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1859)
This is a blog about matters of faith that matter. I used my two most recent posts for introductory content relative to how worship and ministry are changing as a result of COVID-19: Worship in the Time of the COVID-19 PandemicMinistry in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic Personal Experience I now realize that COVID-19 is changing everything. Work: Amidst record unemployment filings, my wife and I remain employed. Her job has transitioned from being 100% on site to being 100% Read More …
Ministry in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1858)
Over the last 10 days, COVID-19 has increasingly impacted all areas of life for many Americans. A week ago today I wrote "Worship in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic" to share my experience of virtual worship on the first Sunday most congregations transitioned from worshiping on their campuses in sanctuaries and other sacred spaces to providing virtual worship. Today, I'm reflecting on just how quickly ministry has changed, is changing, and likely will continue to change as efforts to Read More …
Worship In the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic (#1857)
I am one of more than 16,000 members of a Facebook group called Things They Didn't Teach Us in Seminary. While I had an excellent seminary experience, I did not learn about every possible ministry experience. And, I certainly wasn't required to take a course or even complete a project about ministry during a pandemic. Just a few weeks ago, no one imagined schools closing for multiple weeks and no one used the terms "social distancing" or "COVID-19" in everyday Read More …