Developing a Strategy to "Meet Again"
Church Response to Easing Restriction
Bob Osborne, EFCA West Director of Church Health

Much has been written and broadcast in recent days regarding “reopening” or “restoring” church meetings once COVID19 gathering restrictions begin to ease, and much more will follow in the weeks to come. This guidance is not intended to replace or duplicate that provided by other sources. Rather, it is intended to help church leaders determine how to evaluate such guidance and determine what to do in light of it.

Read: Church Response to Easing Restriction HERE
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Our EFCA National Office has compiled a list of resources for you to help as you develop your strategy in the coming weeks. Please see below:
  • Lifeway’s Director of Sunday School, Ken Braddy provides a basic grocery list of considerations for leaders to consider before gathering again. While it doesn’t get technical, it is practical and helpful for local leaders to get the conversation started. 24 Questions Your Church Should Answer Before People Return
 
  • This link will allow leaders to download a manual that will help churches develop a Health Team. It is prepared by Wheaton College and the Humanitarian Disasters Institute. For the next 18 months, this should be mandatory. Coronavirus Resources for the Church
 
  • In this article, Christianity Today urges great caution, advising churches to open very slowly. It particularly highlights the concern that should be present for the older, more vulnerable people among us. Churches Should Not Be the First to Reopen
 
  • On Vanderbloemen’s website, you will see the typical, helpful material he makes available. In addition to the recorded conversations from this week, you can see what’s ahead for next week. ReOpening Church: Leading After COVID-19
Monday, April 27 @ 1 pm CDT
  • Reopening Small & Mid-Sized Churches: A Discussion on Leading After COVID-19

Tuesday, April 28th @ 11 am CDT
  • ReOpening Churches: Communication Strategies After COVID-19

Wednesday, April 29th @ 1pm CDT
  • ReOpening Churches: Executive Operations & Facility Management

Thursday, April 30 @ 1 pm CDT
  • ReOpening Churches: Leading Children & Family Ministry After COVID-19
  • For free, timely resources to navigate this season of ministry I encourage leaders to sign up for the ChurchPulse Weekly Crisis Toolkit. The resources and weekly leadership conversations with David Kinnaman and Carey Nieuwhof are worthwhile. Barna: State of the Church
 
  • Linda Wilkins, a research consultant, wrote this to help specific departments of ministry think about their respective needs; such as nursery, children’s, the tech team, musicians, etc. Basic Guide for Returning to Your Church Building after COVID-19
 
  • Leaders need to learn to dance to the new rules and rhythms of Covid 19 rather than allowing the urge of the moment to dictate unwise moves. Ed Stetzer and Josh Laxton take the president’s suggested phases for reopening that was delivered to governors last week and applies it to the church. This article is particularly insightful for those who are feeling antsy to reopen and gather right now. What Relaunching the Church Might Look Like Over the Next 3-12 Months
 
  • This post from EFCA Director of Theology and Credentialing, Greg Strand, is helpful and thoughtful on its own, and it also contains several links within it.  Future Corporate Gathering of the Church Family
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