Donβt forget the goal! Connect the body of Christ to support each other and reestablish our commitment and connection to God through Christ. We are never truly alone. If we can get some of the kind of synchronous connecting we cherish, we should try.
Every week the Sun rises on Sunday sweeping like a faith seeking radar signal around the planet. I imagine God looking down, smiling as each church lights up on his celestial scanner. Each gathering of the saints synchronizes the Body at many levels. Our hearts orient with our shared focus. Our bonds in brotherly love strengthen. Our awareness that this is happening all over the planet. We reassess our walks in the light. Though perhaps the physical gathering in a building isn't strictly necessary we have so many reasons to maintain synchronicity.
The strategy
I'm going to lay out a progression of techniques you can use, ranging from things that anyone can apply to specialized software for the truly tech savvy. Follow this document until your head starts to hurt, and stop there! No need to add extra stress. Only apply a technique if you think it will add significant comfort for someone in need and will not add more unnecessary stress for you setting it up. As with all things, find the right balance for your situation.
So often we allow our devices to isolate us from others. Try to remember a time you sat around a table and nobody took out their phone to check their notifications. Sadly I'm struggling to recall a moment like that. The irony of the times is that we may finally learn to use these tools to bring our loved ones closer instead. The Internet could allow the global Body of Christ to find more connection than ever during this strange time. I pray we can carry what we learn beyond the current crisis.
And now the strategy.
Spiritual
Help the needy
God's word is clear on this point. Let's look around us and help who we can. Like any family we all need things from each other from time to time. But in this particular moment it seems that the elderly and others with compromised immune systems have special needs. Many are also losing jobs with the economic downturn and so people who you may not think need help may suddenly find themselves in a tough place. Let's be vigilant and prayerful for the hurting.
For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, βYou shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.β
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, βIt is more blessed to give than to receive.ββ
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me
βBeware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. βThus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Pray continually and stay in the Word
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Stay safe, but stay together
That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.
π Take the opportunity of solitude to nurture the most important relationships in your life.
Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
π Follow the official guidelines for your area, but stay connected! We have powerful tools to accomplish this with our technology. More on that later.
For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.
π How to make both God and the CDC happy.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
Low tech
You already know how to do these! It's good to get a little refresher from time to time, so here's a quick list of easy habits we have an opportunity to form in the coming weeks.
- Snail mail
- Phone calls/texting
- Delivering physical needs
- Prayer walks
Simple tech
Increase synchrony using some easy-to-use technology.
For these options you just needβ¦
- An internet connection (almost any quality will do)
- A smartphone or computer (mainstream devices like Windows, Mac, Android, iPhones should be fine)
Chat
It's easy to chat online, but the array of options out there can be dizzying! Here are a few of my recommendations and how to choose one for your church.
π° Free
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for all options.
π Simple invitations using text messages or email
π Create multiple groups
π Cannot create side channels to organize larger groups
π° Free
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for all options.
π Simple invitations using email or a special link
π Unlimited side channels (useful to organize classes, small groups, etc)
π Little more complicated
π° $10/month
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for all options.
π Simple invitations using email or a special link
π Unlimited side channels (useful to organize classes, small groups, etc)
π Voice chat (works great for any group size)
π Little more complicated because of more features
Video calls
Zoom conference calls (Check out their helpful COVID-19 resources)
π° Free (or $14/month for more features, marked with πΈ below)
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for all options.
π Up to 100 participants
π Built-in text chat
π Breakout sessions (useful for small group discussion for large groups)
π Draw on a shared whiteboard
π Share what you see on your computer screen (useful for presenting sermon powerpoint for instance)
ππΈ No phone number call-in option on the free plan (rumored to be restricted during the COVID-19 crisis, may require upgrade?)
ππΈ Limited to 40 minute calls on the free plan (can upgrade to get limit extended to 24 hours)
Google Hangouts (Free)
π° Free (see all features on the Google support page)
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for mobile devices.
π Up to 10 participants
π Built-in text chat
π Share what you see on your computer screen (useful for presenting sermon powerpoint for instance)
π Requires supported browser (currently Google Chrome or Firefox)
π No phone number call-in option
Google Hangouts Meet (Paid)
π° $6/month
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for mobile devices.
π Up to 100 participants
π Built-in text chat
π Share what you see on your computer screen (useful for presenting sermon powerpoint for instance)
π Dial in with a phone number (useful for tech challenged folks who can't use the app or computer; this option even works with a landline!)
π Requires supported browser (currently Google Chrome or Firefox)
π° Free
π±+ π₯ + πΆ Works on tablets/phones, laptops/desktops. Has apps for mobile devices.
βTheoretically unlimited participants, though it depends on your connection
π Built-in text chat
π Share what you see on your computer screen (useful for presenting sermon powerpoint for instance)
π No account necessary, can remain anonymous on calls
π Play a YouTube video to all participants
π Dial in with a phone number (useful for tech challenged folks who can't use the app or computer; this option even works with a landline!)
π Requires supported browser (currently Google Chrome or Firefox)
β Bonus: Integrates well with Slack chat application
Expert tech
Coming soonβ¦