coronavirus Archives - Baptist & Reflector

Q&A: HOW CHURCHES, PASTORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RELIEF IN STIMULUS PACKAGE

March 27, 2020

By GuideStone staff

DALLAS — The COVID-19 Pandemic Phase III Stimulus Package signed into law today (March 27) by President Trump will provide potential relief for churches and pastors, thanks to efforts by the Church Alliance, a national coalition of large and historic church benefit boards, including GuideStone, and Southern Baptist partners to ensure churches and pastors have the same options as small businesses and self-employed individuals attempting to financially weather the economic turmoil wrought by COVID-19.

“Churches and pastors have options available to them depending on their own situations and convictions,” GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins said. “While we would never tell a pastor what he must do, it is good that the options are available for pastors and churches who may wish to avail themselves of the options available through this legislation.” [Read more…]

IMB POSTPONES VOLUNTEER TRIPS THROUGH JUNE 30, PERSONNEL ‘SHELTER IN PLACE’

March 25, 2020

By Julie McGowan
AVP of communication, marketing and PR for the IMB

International Mission Board senior leaders have directed IMB missionary personnel around the world to postpone hosting any ministry volunteer groups through June 30, leaders announced Wednesday, March 25. Consideration of missionaries hosting volunteer teams beyond June 30 will be reviewed on May 1, leaders reported.

“We’re instructing our personnel to postpone all volunteer efforts at this time due to the uncertainty of health and travel for those traveling internationally, and also to comply with the State Department’s guidance,” said IMB President Paul Chitwood. “We strongly recommend that Southern Baptist volunteer teams postpone any travel during this time, particularly overseas travel.”

Chitwood said setting a parameter about volunteer teams is a complex issue because of the global nature of the virus, including with the United States being greatly impacted and movement becoming more restricted. [Read more…]

2020 SBC ANNUAL MEETING CANCELED

March 24, 2020

By Baptist Press

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated since its original publication.

NASHVILLE (BP) — In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting has been canceled for the first time in 75 years.

Citing authority provided by the SBC Constitution “in the case of grave emergency,” the decision was made Tuesday (March 24) in a unanimous vote of a body composed of SBC officers, the SBC Executive Committee and leaders of the SBC’s boards and institutions. [Read more…]

COVID-19 BRINGS ISOLATION TO MANY SENIOR ADULTS

March 23, 2020

By Tess Schoonhoven
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — At 92, Kenny Knox’s social circle revolves almost exclusively around activities at church.

“Other than attending (church), I don’t have a lot of contact with others,” he said.

But like many others, Knox’s church (West End Baptist Church in Columbia, Tenn.) has suspended its meetings to comply with government recommendations on social-distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. West End’s worship services have temporarily moved to an online streaming format.

For Knox and some other senior adults, though, that’s not a solution. [Read more…]

LIVESTREAMING SERVICES REQUIRES PROPER LICENSES

March 19, 2020

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

FRANKLIN — As more and more churches begin livestreaming their services due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is imperative that they do it properly and legally, according to Scott Shepherd of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

“The issue is not whether churches will be caught or prosecuted,” observed Shepherd, TBMB worship and music specialist and a former minister of worship at First Baptist Church, Paris.

“The issue is being a good citizen by obeying our nation’s laws. Plus, as followers of Jesus Christ, we ought to ensure that the artists and publishers of the songs used in our worship gatherings are compensated fairly.” [Read more…]

COVID-19 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY & TIPS FOR CHURCHES

March 19, 2020

By
Special to Baptist and Reflector

Business and churches alike are scrambling to create an effective communication strategy in the midst of a global crisis. Many churches feel like they have been thrown into the deep end of the virtual/online pool.

It’s a lot to take in all at once.

So many questions. What to communicate, when, how, on what platforms? And then there’s a possible learning curve involved in order to teach church staff and members how to navigate those online resources. It’s stressful—we get it. [Read more…]

19 RULES FOR PASTORS AND LEADERS DURING COVID-19

March 18, 2020

By Matt Tullos
Special assistant to the executive director, TBMB

We don’t know how long this new reality will last. It’s difficult for us to navigate local ministry in the midst of a national emergency. Here are 19 things we challenge church leaders to do during the Coronavirus also known as C-19

(1) Set aside time for personal prayer. There are so many hurdles to jump through in communicating during this uncertain time but the most important communication you can do is to intercede. Here is a short, guided prayer activity:

• Pray for God to use the Coronavirus Crisis to bring a national revival. This is the heart-cry of the Church. Could God use something as difficult and all-encompassing as a virus to bring people back to God? Absolutely. [Read more…]

CCM ARTIST SANDI PATTY REVEALS POSITIVE COVID-19 DIAGNOSIS

March 18, 2020

By Tess Schoonhoven
Baptist Press

Gospel singer Sandi Patty announced through Facebook Wednesday (March 17) she has tested positive for COVID-19. The Grammy-winning artist told fans she is self-quarantining with her husband in their home in Oklahoma. — Screen capture from Facebook

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gospel singer Sandi Patty announced through Facebook on March 17 she has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Grammy-winning artist told fans she is self-quarantining with her husband at their home in Oklahoma.

Patty explained in the video that she had not felt well in the past few weeks and had been traveling for various events, coming home the weekend of March 7.

Patty attends Crossing Community Church in Oklahoma City but said since returning home on March 7, she had not been to the church or been around anyone from the church, but had simply stayed home.

Encouraging individuals to heed advice and take COVID-19 seriously, Patty said self-quarantine is the right choice. [Read more…]

HOW TO PREACH TO AN EMPTY ROOM

March 18, 2020

Baptist Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (BP) — I have been pastoring and preaching for 28 years, and I’ve spent more than 20 years as a preaching professor. Until very recently, I’ve never really given any thought about how to preach to an empty room. My goal has always been that the church would be as full as we can get it when it comes time to preach! But in light of the coronavirus and the reality of providing online Sunday services, I’ve been asked by a few leaders, “What are some tips for preaching to an empty room?”

Here are some thoughts that I’m keeping in mind as I preach for video. I hope they’ll be of help to other preachers: [Read more…]

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