Blogger Thom Rainer in his August 2, post, Church Answers, provides some interesting thoughts on his survey about the post-COVID church. They were seeking insight on the question,
“What is something your church changed DURING
the pandemic that you will keep AFTER the pandemic?”
Though they had many more changes articulated than twelve, these same twelve were common and repeated. They are listed in order of frequency of response. Surprisingly, the first three were related to giving.
Digital giving.
Clearly, this response was number one. Churches either moved to digital giving for the first time, or they emphasized digital giving more than ever. See which online giving solution is right for you.
No passing of the offering plates.
For obvious hygienic reasons, many churches stopped passing the offering plates during worship services as churches began to regather. If your church is still relying on passing the collection plate, here are some reasons you might want to rethink that.
Offering boxes.
The offering box became the alternative forgiving when the church met in person. The box was typically placed in one or more visible locations as people entered and exited the services. See this video on how you can make a wooden money box.
The final demise of the meet and greet.
This practice was declining prior to the pandemic. With a few exceptions, it looks like it’s going away permanently. No more handshakes and hugs during the worship services. Here are the seven most common responses guests give about this stand-and-greet time.
Streaming of worship services.
While a few churches decided not to resume either live streaming or recorded streaming of services, most have decided to keep it. The number of views has declined since its pandemic peak. Still, the churches as a whole see its ongoing value. Read this practical guide for how small- or medium-sized churches can get started in live streaming.
The final demise of Sunday evening services.
This practice had declined significantly before the pandemic. With a few exceptions, the Sunday evening service begun in the agrarian era has disappeared completely. Read about the seven trends in worship service times.
Less cluttered calendars.
Many churches found that they were more effective with fewer meetings, ministries, and programs. A number of leaders have expressed surprise that they are doing more with less. The cluttered church calendar has become a simple calendar. How to De-Clutter Your Church
Digital prayer gatherings.
One of the most positive developments of the church during the pandemic was digital prayer gatherings. A number of church leaders told us that they had more people participate than ever before. How to create a Zoom prayer meeting.
Digital Bible studies and discipleship.
Although groups such as community groups, life groups, or Sunday school classes have largely resumed in-person meetings, many churches still have online groups going. These groups are typically short-term studies designed for deeper discipleship. How to start an online bible study/fellowship group.
Greater involvement in social media.
Many churches discovered great ways to communicate via social media. In fact, some congregations had no social media presence before the pandemic. For many churches, their social media engagement is greater than ever. Seven Keys to an Effective Church Social Media Strategy.
More intentional hygienic efforts.
When churches began to regather, they offered a number of hand sanitizer stations and took many other hygienic measures. This change will likely be a permanent reality for many congregations. Five Tips and Best Practices for Church Disinfecting Proticols.
Personnel for media and digital presence.
While many of these volunteer, part-time, or full-time staff were hired to set up and maintain streaming services, churches are seeing the value of these positions well beyond streaming services. How to build a social media team.
Source: With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America. More from Thom