Some of the major changes Ringwood Church undertook in 2020 was its technological growth and embracing social media platforms. Ministerial activities continued but were delivered by these ‘new’ platforms so the learning curve was rapid!
Finding innovative ways of keeping the church family connected was challenging and the church team utilised group and individual phone calls, chats, forums and emails to keep the membership informed of church activities, encouraged each other and kept everyone up to date with Covid-19 regulation changes as they related to church activities.
Into 2021, live-streaming of the services in Church have continued to cater for those who cannot physically attend. Our church services were split into two to enable to maintain social distancing.
As a church we now have more skill and a better online and social media presence which enhances and increases our influence online. Barriers to usage of social media have decreased and even the older generation are relearning and embracing new technology.
The challenges of the Covid-19 lockdowns also highlighted the significance and the role of the local churches in the provision of care and support for one another. They highlighted the impact local church pastors have and their incomparable value through their ability/capacity to deliver sermons and words of encouragement that suits the needs of their congregation.
Many souls were awakened by the closure of churches and the lockdowns, these served a wake up call to many who weren’t taking church life and spirituality seriously.
We have certainly learnt to value freedom and to appreciate one another more. We have learnt that even a pandemic cannot and must not stop the work of the gospel. And we are aware that we need to hang onto these lessons and not drift back to a ‘before the pandemic’ apathy.