To find out how Reformed Presbyterian congregations have been worshiping and ministering during the pandemic, the RP Witness sent a survey to about 20 pastors. Twelve responses were received. The large majority of changes that were listed had one thing in common—greater use of technology. “We’re seeing God drag us (and other RPC congregations) into a more effective use of technology, which has led to increased connections with neighbors,” said Pastor Jared Olivetti of Immanuel RPC.
All of the churches surveyed (see end of article) have made significant changes in how their regular worship services are conducted. All of them are using livestream technology in some form, like Elkins Park (WebEx), Sharon (Facebook), Ottawa (SermonAudio and YouTube), and Cloughmills (Twitch). While Tri-Lakes and Westminster RPCs are too far apart (60 miles) to join in services under normal circumstances, using video technology enables them to share an evening worship service. For 2nd Indianapolis’ evening service, psalm and prayer requests are submitted via text message since they can’t be submitted in person.
Many of the churches that are livestreaming also have a small contingent of members at the church building, such as Sterling, Second Indianapolis, and Covenant Fellowship. Typically attendance is being limited to 10 persons in light of proclamations of civil authorities. Southfield’s contingent is somewhat larger, as the Michigan governor exempted religious worship in her executive orders; but the congregation has asked all older and at-risk members to join worship from home.
Immanuel RPC has a livestream service in the morning followed by a drive-in service in their parking lot. Elkins Park said they would do the same if they had a parking lot to use, as it would make celebrating the Lord’s supper feasible; the difficulty of participating in this sacrament is mentioned by many congregations as one of the most-missed aspects of the current status quo. Another loss for some congregations is the fellowship meal, as well as some parent/toddler groups.
Videoconference software like Zoom (which enables many people to participate in meetings or groups) is being used by some RP churches for worship services, but it is being used by many more churches for Sabbath school classes, prayer groups, youth group, and fellowship. Some are using Zoom’s feature to start a large-group prayer meeting and then break into smaller groups. Zoom is also being used by Immanuel RPC for an evening class for newcomers. Second Indianapolis and Westminster RPCs offer a Zoom class for children of different ages. A class for adults is recorded and then posted online. Southfield RPC has an afternoon sermon discussion.
A lot of pastors have begun teaching or sharing regular meditations via livestream, like Sterling, where the pastor regularly teaches from his office. Sharon and Immanuel do something similar. Ottawa posts a Westminster Confession lecture by Pastor Andrew Quigley each week to the congregation’s YouTube channel. Ottawa mentioned the increased use of email in keeping strong communication lines open with members and adherents. Pastor Quigley’s “Daily Encouragement to Be with God” is circulated via Mailchimp to the congregation and others.
New group opportunities have begun, such as a new prayer meeting for Second RPC and a prayer meeting and an online psalm sing for Sterling. Covenant Fellowship added a second men’s group, and Immanuel has a new weekly newsletter and daily prayer chain. Southfield hosts a denomination-wide prayer meeting on Monday nights. Cloughmills has 30 minutes of prayer via Zoom before each worship service.
Several congregations use videoconferencing software to facilitate the kind of fellowship that used to occur before or after churches’ public gatherings. Cloughmills, Covenant Fellowship, Ottawa, and Second RPC have video meetings after the morning worship. Immanuel created a private “family page” on Facebook for members to share personal photos and stories. Members of Second RPC have instituted online game nights.
Church officers and members have been using both low-tech and high-tech means to make sure that everyone is staying in touch and that people’s needs are being met. Sharon tries to contact each member every week. Phone calls have replaced some pastoral visits, though at least a couple of congregations have practiced socially distant visits, with the members at their front door and the elder speaking with them from the porch or sidewalk. Sterling is staying in touch with its scattered college students by text message. Many session and deacon board meetings have been moved online, and some churches report that they’ve had more frequent meetings during the pandemic.
A couple of churches mentioned the difficulty of including those with special needs and those without good technology. Second RPC’s Friendship Bible Study for developmentally disabled adults has recorded creative videos weekly to be viewed by the friends that typically had been ministered to at the church building.
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Survey Responses
• Cloughmills, Northern Ireland
• Covenant Fellowship (Wilkinsburg, Pa.)
• Elkins Park, Pa.
• Immanuel (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Ottawa, Ont.
• Russell, Ont.
• San Diego, Calif.
• Second (Indianapolis, Ind.)
• Sharon (Morning Sun, Iowa)
• Southfield, Mich.
• Sterling, Kan.
• Westminster, Colo.