Resources

In June, after months of being forced to hold worship services in an online-only format (thanks to COVID-19), California churches were allowed to begin meeting in person again. This time, with a limit of 100 people or 25% of the building’s capacity. Just a few weeks later, Governor Newsom ordered that churches “discontinue singing” while gathered for worship services. This resulted in an uproar from many Christians. How can we hold a worship service without worshiping? How can the government dictate whether we praise God or not? Didn’t Jesus say that we must sing?

Throughout human history, the Bible has prompted the development of new technologies for recording and distributing the sacred text of the Scriptures. Technologies ranging from papyrus, scrolls, and the printing press have served Christians for many centuries. Now with electronics and digital technologies, we have Bible software and apps to help access the Scriptures.

I have been leading worship in a full-time capacity for twenty-two years. Still, nothing could have prepared me for a global pandemic, hybrid worship, and a situation that began in our church on Sunday, March 15, 2020. On that Sunday, our worship team did most everything we would normally do on Sunday with one major difference… there was no congregation in our worship space!  Like most churches across the country, and around the world, we found ourselves in an unprecedented scenario. One no one could have foreseen and one for which no seminary education could have prepared us. Our church had to learn how to minister to our people solely through livestream technology on Sundays and Zoom meetings throughout the week. 

As digital technology increasingly gets more infused into our daily lives, podcasting makes it easier to produce and to distribute Bible-inspired content. Did you know that there are more Christian podcasts than any other category? Many Christian podcasts are repurposed sermons preached at churches, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Others podcasts are hosted by all kinds of Christians talking about a wide range of topics related to faith and life. There are also podcasts that speak directly from the Bible itself, the very source of spiritual life. As the Scriptures provide the eternal spring of daily bread, may these 7 examples of Bible podcasts feed you personally and even inspire you to start podcasting.

Summer is a great time for families to watch good movies with outdoor scenes, as well as Christian themes worth discussing. Fortunately, there are many worthwhile choices on streaming sites. These movies not only entertain, but they enlighten and edify. They have excellent artistry and content. They provide outstanding discussion starters for families and create interest in being in the great American outdoors.

A new survey of 750 churches of differing sizes from around the world compiled by the church technology company Logos, makers of Logos Bible Software, shows that while the majority of pastors feel comfortable reopening their buildings, they expect changes in attendance, programming, and operations.

Redemptive movies provide good stories for families, children, and parents. They are especially significant today because so many are confined to their homes with their families. We all want to take this time to improve family relationships, and what better way than to watch a fulfilling movie. This Father's Day, we are sharing some of our top picks.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to contend with a new normal. Phrases like 'social distancing' and 'contact tracing' weren’t familiar terms until a few weeks ago. Large gatherings aren’t safe anymore, so we’re all turning to online forms of meeting and communication. This, of course, includes weekly church services. With state governors ordering people to shelter in place, church leaders were left scrambling in recent weeks to ramp up or start from scratch with online streaming services and more.