Andrew and Sally Willet, ministers of Charlton URC, explore how, curiously, the church has grown stronger through the Covid 19 crisis:
Moving from physical gatherings to online meetings has its challenges, but, overall, we have seen more people join us than when we met before. Almost all of our members have mastered the technology, even the 90 year olds. One in particular spent a whole day figuring out how to use Zoom, and hasn’t missed a meeting since!
We’ve also seen an increase in the number of new people participating in the life of the church during this time. For example, one lady who came to Messy Church has started attending our new Zoom services. She began without showing her face, but now feels comfortable enough to show it. She has contacted us with a number of theological questions and has asked for a Bible, which we have provided. Another example is our niece who lives in Scotland, who joined us because her daughter (aged 7) was interested in church. Through this introduction, she now attends a local church close to her. Another young woman, who started worshipping with us before lockdown, has grown in enthusiasm and now wants to become a church member.
Our midweek café church now takes place every week, and the attendance has been much larger than before lockdown. Parents with young children can now access it as there are minimal child care issues at the moment. One mum has not missed it since we started, and yet she had only been once before as she normally takes care of her children while her husband plays 5-a-side football, which isn’t on right now!
The very nature of Zoom means that you need to invite people to join in. Most who have joined us since the start of lockdown have a connection with an existing member of the congregation, highlighting the importance of personal relationship in encouraging people to explore faith and join in church activities.
We have also started a formal pastoral care system with the elders so that more care can be offered during this challenging time.
Just before lockdown, we hosted the first stage of a small group leaders training course. This has continued on Zoom after lockdown, thanks to the synod’s training and development officer and now, those who have been trained are starting to lead a Bible study course.
This crisis has proved to be an exciting time of growth for Charlton URC.
One final example is an elderly couple who mastered zoom, and now invite their daughter to come to church, which she does so, along with her own children. In some ways, evangelism is easier during lockdown. People seem more responsive as the virus has caused them to question everything. In Jesus, there are some answers, along with a great amount of hope and encouragement. People can attend much more easily, and can also easily leave if they feel that it is not for them.
The big question is, what do we do when lockdown ends? How will your church respond? Let the Walking the Way team know how we can help.
