Welcome People Back

COVID has led many churches to create online and hybrid small groups. Recently Bill Search sat down with Amber Stewart to talk about best practices for hybrid small groups. This article highlights "why?" questions, rethinking community and connection, pros and cons, as well as some basics for technology and room set up. A great check up to see if your hybrid small groups are maximizing their potential.

Topics: Online small groups, Hybrid small groups, Technology

Attorney and CPA Richard Hammar looks at several recent Supreme Court cases related to pandemic restrictions and houses of worship. What do these cases mean for your church and local restrictions?

The pandemic of 2020 has changed how we view online groups. Most churches saw this format as a niche that few would have interest in, but as more experience the beauty and value of digital communities, it seems likely that online groups are here to stay. This guide will help leaders understand the why, how, what and who of online groups, see what online groups can and can't do well, as well as offering practical tips to help their online groups thrive.

Topics: Online small groups, Practical tips

Virtual small groups have become an essential element of discipleship and fellowship for our church members during this pandemic. Over the past few months, many small groups have adopted this format. And in the coming months many will try it out for the first time. Our panel explores the ins and outs of creating a successful online small groups ministry.

Topics: Digital small groups

Fall is normally the time when small groups restart. While many churches have already moved to online groups in one form or another, it is easy to fall into a pattern of thinking about those groups - even if its new. White, author of Leading Online Small Groups, looks at 4 different ways online small groups can meet. Includes suggested platforms.

Topics: Online small group types

A recent Lifeway survey of both mainline and evangelical pastors shows their largest pressure points. Church conflict over how to handle the ongoign Coronavirus crisis has become the single largest issue along with pastoring at a distance and exhaustion.

Topics: Church conflict

Andy Bannister interviews British New Theologian author and former bishop about his book God and the Pandemic. This short interview helpst to frame how the church should approach living out our faith in the Pandemic including dealing with questions of "why?", the point of lament and what we should actively do.

Topics: Church witness

Coronavirus has caused illness, death, grief and fear. Pastors are expected to bring peace and hope amid the chaos, even when battling their own anxiety and fatigue. Avoiding stress and burn-out is crucial. Dr. Lenny Luchetti offers four materials for building a healthy pastor.

Topics: Soul Care, Health

Dr. Daniel Chin has spent over 25 years working to control disease around the world. He offers a practical approach to meet the spiritual needs of our parishioners while also keeping them, and our communities, safe.

Topics: Church reopening plan, COVID-19 Science, Ministering to spiritual needs

Churches are not the only institutions affected by COVID. Many, if not most, schools will be on modifed schedules this fall. Some will be moving to all on-line learning. This has presented challenges for parents and students alike. Some Churches are offering their buildings to help students learn.

Topics: Community engagement

A new survey by Barna and the American Bible Society indicates that the Pandemic is having an impact on how we engage with the Bible. Daily Bible reading has dropped significantly across the board - including among those cosidered "Bible Centered".

Topics: Bible reading trends

Matt Snowden is pastor of First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas, so he is not the first person you would expect to be thinking about hte preistly ministry of pastors. The pandemic has led him to look deeply at 7 marks of priestly pastoral ministry found in the book of Ezra.

Topics: Priestly ministry

Many Church leaders have been running a sprint since March when the COVID crisis began to alter virtually every aspect of life. This pre-pandemic article is a reminder that brunout is real and needs to be dealt with. The Church needs you right now, and when you are burnt out you will not be able to fulfill your calling. Take steps now to regain the strength and perspective you need.

Topics: Burnout

Michael Cherenkov, executive director of Mission Euraisia's field ministries, says "the challenge of the pandemic has lit a spark which casts light on the little-noticed but active and essential role of evangelical churches in this gray zone [the former Soviet Union]." He offers five important lessons we can learn from these churches.

Topics: Community engagement, Leadership, Generosity, Outreach, Preperation

Is your model of discipleship attractional or incarnational? It can be very easy to fall into the view that "true" discipleship is either one or the other. Author, church leader and television host Anthony Delany states that the COVID crisis has caused him to rethink becasue right now the world needs the church to do both as well as we can.

Topics: Discipleship models

Sports ministry is an important aspect of the minstry of many churches, especially for youth ministry. Pastor and former CDC medical officer Stephen Ko offers 4 principles for churches to consider as they evaluate restarting sports ministries while prioritizing safety.

Topics: Youth Ministry, Sports Ministry, Risk management

How do evangelicals view the risks of COVID? How do their views and practices compare to all Americans? Ryan Burge explores recent data showing a widening gap between the overall US population and evangelicals perceptions but a surprising similarity in behavior.

Topics: Data, Social distancing

Veteran Youth Ministry expert Kara Powell asks "how might keeping apart reinvent youth ministry and draw young people closer to God?"" What if, instead of merely a disaster, the COVID epidemic becomes "youth ministry's tipping point to move to a new and better normal"?

Topics: Youth ministry, Reassessment, Discipleship

It seems that every state has a different set of rules when it comes to the reopening of churches. The recent Supreme Court ruling about churches in California hasn't changed that. Cristian leaders have been part of the process in some states and have been sidelined in others. Megan Fowler explores the implications of the ways churches have and haven't been included in the process.

Topics: Legal issues, Worship services

As the Covid crisis continues, and as the country now faces a new crisis around issues of race, many pastors and other church leaders are weary. A personal illness was the wakeup call Joel Comiskey needed to get his life in balance so that he could continue to minister effectively.

Topics: Burnout, Soul care, Leadership

Children's ministry has been on the backburner for most churches during the COVID crisis even while small groups ministries have gone online. This article, written well befroe COVID was even close to the horixon offers six practical suggetions that are even more appropriate in today's enviornemnt.

Topics: Kids and small groups

Attorney and CRA Richard Hammar looks into the background and implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling on churches and COVID-19. This clear and careful examination of both the case and precendent it sets in relation to liability will help you as you begin the process of reopening your church.

Topics: Legal liabilities, Supreme Court

Christianity Today asked a variety of Christian leaders to address the growing issue of disagreement between parishoners and church leadership when it comes to reopening churches. Whether you are facing parishoners who are frustrated that you are not opening soon enough or ones who are concerned about reopening too soon, these thoughtful responses offer wisdom for parishoners and pastors alike.

Topics: Conflict, Leadership, Conscience

(Outside Resource) Reopening your church requires care, comfort, and communication. Mariners Church Pastor Eric Geiger recorded a video for his congregation that does all three and offers a great example for your communication strategy. He speaks to his church about the process of reopening. He recounts what has happened during quarantine, speaks to the desire to reestablish in-person worship, and the process that the leadership of Mariners is using to reopen.

Topics: Communication, Care, Logistics

Moving to online or remote worship was a relatively easy decision for most churches. Reopening the church building for worship is an entirely different story. Ed Stetzer calls on pastors to lead well when their congregations are divided and offers practical suggestions for communicating the decisions that are being made.

Topics: Leadership, Unhappy people

(Outside Resource) The mission of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College is to "help the church prepare and care for a disaster-filled world."" Their research has led to the development of several tools that could help your church as you reopen. From manuals to webinars, these resources are designed to help you navigate the reopening process.

Topics: Tools, Resurces, Health Info

As churches around the country begin to reopen, many people will be bearing new and unforeseen grief. They are likely to feel out of place, unsure if or how to come back to worship together. Clarissa Moll understands the pain of grief and the difficulties it presents for returning to worship. Drawing on her experiences after the unexpected death of her husband, she offers 5 practical ways for churches to care for those dealing with grief.

Topics: Grief, Pastoral care

Anxiety is a modern epidemic. The Coronavirus crisis has made us even more conscious of it. Now, perhaps more than ever, pastors are facing real anxieties for themselves, their families and their churches. Steve Cuss's insights from his work as a trauma chaplain will help us to pastor ourselves and others better.

Topics: Anxiety, Leadership, Stress

Recently, the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College held the Spiritual First Aid Summit. The summit identified 5 core needs of people in the wake of the disaster and speakers offered practical, biblical wisdom for the church in this moment. The article summarizes some of the key insights and offers a way to access resources from HDI.

Topics: Belonging, Livelihood, Emotions, Safety, Spiritual needs, Best practices

Pastor and author Lee Eclov gives us preachers a powerful reminder of our role as we help our people navigate the world during the COVID-19 crisis. A pastor's job, like any parent, is to keep reminding God's people who they are and whose they are.

Topics: Shepherding, Church as family, Pastor's Role

COVID-19 has derailed the routines of life. Now, more than ever is the time to embrace the spiritual disciplines so we do not forget who God is, what God has done, and what God can still do today. Pastor Oliver Hersey offers a reminder of the importance of spiritual disciplines and 6 things we can all do right now.

Recently Pastor Bill Search had a conversation with teacher, author, speaker and curriculum director for 252 Kids, Dan Scott. Dan's insights on parenting during quarantine—from school to spiritual needs—are wise and practical. He even has suggestions for incorporating kids into your small group.

The COVID-19 quarantine has moved digital discipleship from the exception to the rule. Here are 8 practical suggestions for making the most of this unprecedented season. Includes links and a helpful video platform feature chart.

Even with the gradual reopening of the country, social distancing means that many small groups will not be meeting in person for the summer. Smallgroups.com's Bill Search tips to help your groups stay connected, encourage spiritual growth and deepen relationships.

Topics: Connection, Spiritual growth, Relationships

Back in March (which seems like an eternity ago in light of the Pandemic) smallgroups.com hosted a webinar roundtable with small group leaders to discuss the importance of small groups and practical ways to keep small groups on track during quarantine. Much of the wisdom will continue to be relevant even as our society opens up.