Turn on the television, radio, computer, or any means of hearing the news, or gossip, and you will be bombarded with information about SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes which has been named coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.
The first thing to do is to have an illness policy and re-enforce that during this time. Take the usual steps to help prevent the spread of colds and the flu. Go back to the basics.
This is not the first time that a virus has been of concern globally, and it will not be the last. Some are deeply concerned and taking extreme measures while others see it as no more of a threat than the annual flu. Our focus is not on how you should view the virus, rather how you can continue to minister, and disciple, those in your community during this time.
This has already affected some communities in the United States where church services have been cancelled because of concern of the virus spreading. While the virus is a concern, this is also an opportunity to expand your ministry. Here are some steps that you may be able to do if local governments encourage you to suspend services to minimize the spread of the virus.
- Check the curriculum that you use and see if they have resources to connect with parents. Parent e-mails, images to share on social media, etc. Begin to utilize them if they do.
- Plan to stream your lesson live, either Facebook live or other live-streaming method, or record it and post it for families to see and utilize at home.
- Develop items that can be emailed to families with Scripture and discussion questions based on the lessons you might be doing.
- Be aware of the publishers terms of use. Do not violate copyrights.
This is a time when social media can really be used effectively to share the Gospel. You may not have internet access, or good access, at your church. That is when you may consider recording it and posting it either on the church’s social media platform, or your personal platform. This may be the time to establish a social media platform for your ministry if you have not yet. Even if you only have a few people connected to your online presence, those people are important.
The use of cell phones and cameras on computers has increased the ability to record these videos. The videos may be basic, but they can be effective. It adds to your preparation/planning, but I believe that the results and response will be beneficial and it may open up new ways to reach the children in our ministries, their friends, and others.
If you are not able to produce videos for whatever reason, then consider sending parents an e-mail with files, and discussion questions, attached to help them disciple their children at home. Seek a response so you can interact in some way.
We live in a time when we have various options to reach the families that God has sent our way. May we not lament if we cannot meet together, rather may we find new ways to stay connected during times like these, and throughout the year.
