This blog has never been aimed at generating lots of responses. I appreciate the ones I get, but know that, if you’re like me, you barely have time to read all the stuff you want to read and rarely have extra time for commenting.
But for today I wouldn’t mind hearing how the current COVID-19 pandemic has affected your preaching. Here are three possible scenarios; the last two are similar:
- If you are fortunate to be in a region that is still having church as “normal”
- If you have been preaching in church to no audience or maybe your worship team, but hoping your faith-family will watch
- If you have been preaching to your computer camera, hoping your faith-family will watch
So far, I’ve been experiencing #3 and it does change the preaching dynamics. One of the things I didn’t expect to feel is that it seems to be a bit harder for me to get ready spiritually. I have had to remind myself that this is still very important–life and death stuff. The pressure is not off.
Maybe it’s due to getting out of my regular routine. I’m still processing all of this.
And, then, of course, with either #2 or #3 preaching without parishioners is just plain weird. Bless her heart, my wife, Michele, has been great to sit directly across from me these past two weeks with the tall order of generating all the non-verbal and verbal dialogue I usually receive each Sunday.
What about your experience so far?
Thanks for taking a moment to share.
I am convinced that our Lord is still receiving glory in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21) through your fine efforts.
Randal
Last week, my plan to preach from church fell through when I discovered that our internet there isn’t fast or stable enough to pull it off, and my phone worked better than our normal internet (but wasn’t enough). This week, I went another route. We’re a tiny church, so I sat at home, with my wife and daughter, and we did a Zoom meeting. I didn’t try to recreate a church atmosphere nor a church-style sermon. I can’t see holding people’s interest in the same way as if they are sitting in a chair in front of me, so I made it short and more devotional (with a huge dose of biblical theology thrown in to give it context). We shared prayer requests, prayed, then after, we had fellowship, with people just sharing how they’ve been doing, and asking each other how they’ve been doing.
I don’t see this sort of thing working, though, for more than 20 people, max, and we had less than half that. Some people don’t feel comfortable with this sort of thing. 🙁
Honestly, I’m kind of surprised how many are preaching to empty churches–I suppose that many churches have the capability already, but I just somehow think that a more intimate approach would work better–but what do I know. I haven’t ministered in the US for 20 years or more. 🙂
Thanks for replying and letting me know how you’ve been functioning at your end of the world. I appreciated the angle on not trying to recreate something that is just not there. It shows how the dynamics of preaching/teaching change dramatically depending on the environment. I hope you are staying healthy and enjoying our Lord and His work. It’s always good to hear from you, brother.
BTW, have you heard of the parking lot church services? I wonder how viable they are in some states, or if they’d be restricted too? I kind of like that idea. 🙂 And thanks! Always enjoy reading your blog, though I don’t usually comment. 🙂
I have heard about the parking lot services. It reminded me like the ole fashion drive-in theaters. I can’t see them being a violation since everyone stays in their own vehicles. Thanks for reading the blog posts. As I said, even from the beginning I haven’t expected much feedback. Preach well over there, my friend!
Hi Randy,
I have fallen under category #2 for the past three weeks- preaching in the church sanctuary to a nearly empty room. It is definitely a different experience. I get a very little bit of non-verbal feedback during the sermon from the tech people in the room. Maybe the best was when two musicians who were finished with their portion of the service sat on opposite sides of the room in vicinity of cameras. Now that the situation has progressed, we are using even fewer musicians, so I don’t even have them moving forward.
I’ve received positive feedback (after the fact) from people that preaching as usual is fine- looking at different parts of the room and different cameras- though frequently looking at the center camera. I know you are on board with this part, but I think it is essential when preaching to people in their living rooms that we lose our notes and look at them!
One thing we have done is to encourage our people to use the chat and comment sections on YouTube and Facebook. We have an associate monitoring and responding in real time. It is great to go back afterward and see what parts resonated with which people. In that sense, there is a potential for greater feedback than ever if we use it correctly.
Thanks for keeping the blog going,
Dave
Thanks for the feedback, Dave. I appreciate hearing how the opportunities for sermon feedback are greater due to the crisis. I am also noticing how our folks are doing such a great job communicating with each other in the online forums. All of this really does change the preaching event. Glad you’re still at it each week and appreciate your reading the blog. Keep up the good work of faith, brother.
Brother Randal, Thanks for taking the time to raise and address this issue. Last Sunday the 29th was a first for me both in the video world and empty church preaching. To say that I was stressed is putting it mildly! I received positive feedback but still was shaken by the lack of energy that is received back to the speaker by the congregation. However, after the sermon was over instead of defeat I left the empty church positive that the next time will be better.Well the next time is this week and I feel better prepared for this strange new “normal” at least in the short term in the knowledge of other brothers like yourself are grappling with these emotions and an overwhelming reassurance from God that the proclaiming of His word will produce in us His desired results and He will be glorified in spite of my feelings. Through this experience I have rediscovered the why of preaching for myself; my love for Jesus,His word,and His people,simple obedience to His call upon my life, as well as a refreshed humility to “preach the Word in season or out”.
I attended a workshop/seminar you lead at LBC and wonder if there are plans for future events?
It’s good to hear from you, James. I can totally relate to your observation about “the lack of energy.” Thanks for reminding us all about the effectiveness of God’s Word as it’s preached. I think we’re all experiencing some kind of rediscovery of preaching priorities under the umbrella of worship and obedience. Thanks for letting me know about the preaching workshop. Yes, we do have more plans. My friend and colleague, Dr. Mark Meyer, and I working hard to create a series of videos, Unpacking Sacred Scripture. This includes future events such as workshops and short, two to three day exposition retreats. Stay tuned, my brother!
Hi Randy,
Our Pastor started with a Zoom sermon, but that had a few challenges technically since a lot of our folk had never heard of Zoom. So what he has done is go to YouTube live. He makes it work, and we are getting a lot more folk watching, even from outside our church family. Also included are some pre-recorded worship songs by our worship teams and individuals. After the sermon (about 15 minutes later) we have what we are calling a Zoom kitchen meeting. People are getting the hang of Zoom, and it allows so interaction, albeit virtual. Pastor is also posting on Youtube a 5 minute or so small devotional burb of encouragement plus usually some humourous video or picture to help lighten and brighten people’s stressful day. We will begin scheduling a weekly prayer time (not virtual) so folks can schedule time to pray for our nations leaders, neighbours, and church folk. I am considering picking up my “Welcome to the Family” SS class virtually. There has been interest expressed. The dynamic is certainly different, but I thank God that we have technology that helps us make the best of difficult times. Thanks for your leadership, dear friend. God bless!…Don
Thanks for writing, Don, and letting us know how things are going in NB, Canada. It sounds like you are making the best of the situation. You’re right about the different dynamic, though. Heard about the spring snowstorm you all got! Yikes! Keep up the good work of instructing your faith-family about the importance of the Body of Christ.