It will be interesting to see when the smoke clears. Some of our regular older people are staying home, but other families have started showing up. I wonder if we'll lose any in the long run - though I don't see that at present. Those who are not attending seem to be faithfully watching our livestream. It appears that, when all is said and done, we'll be a bigger stronger church. We've had 6 families join during this COVID mess, and even with a bunch staying home, we're about the same attendance as before this started, or slightly more.
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Here's my new thinking on this.
I think a lot of churches that were borderline on survival will close up. Over the next couple of years, the number of churches in the US will decline along with overall church attendance. This may hit rural churches really hard. It may be harder to find a church in some parts of the country and where you can find a church, you may not have the abundance of choices we've had in the past."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Our Church has decided to suspend Children's Church for a couple Sundays, as a couple of our children contracted, or were exposed to, Covid at School
Everybody who attended (as children) or worked in Children's Church have voluntarily withdrawn from Church attendance for the time being.
This also applies to two of the three sound/video team members, one of whom is the father of one of the affected children, and another was exposed at work.
Other than that, we have been very blessed to have no other problems with Covid, so far --- we're keeping an eye on the situation all the time.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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An interesting piece that argues for the necessity of in-person Church services that seems somewhat relevant here
I'm always still in trouble again
"You're by far the worst poster on TWeb" and "TWeb's biggest liar" --starlight (the guy who says Stalin was a right-winger)
"Overall I would rate the withdrawal from Afghanistan as by far the best thing Biden's done" --Starlight
"Of course, human life begins at fertilization that’s not the argument." --Tassman
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The reminder of comfort for those who meet in person...
The coronavirus testing in the United States has a reported 97% false positive.
The analysis by 22 doctors is found at https://cormandrostenreview.com/report/
So most tests in the United States are being done with 40. The number of cycles is the number of doubling of the sampling so I think 25-30 is the already on the high end. Above that, a totally innocuous amount of coronavirus is detected. As such, if a person is not symptomatic but has a positive test result, the positive result is meaningless. Please review the analysis at the website to understand things better. I only provided the critical observation that is easiest to understand.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View PostOur Church has decided to suspend Children's Church for a couple Sundays, as a couple of our children contracted, or were exposed to, Covid at School
Everybody who attended (as children) or worked in Children's Church have voluntarily withdrawn from Church attendance for the time being.
This also applies to two of the three sound/video team members, one of whom is the father of one of the affected children, and another was exposed at work.
Other than that, we have been very blessed to have no other problems with Covid, so far --- we're keeping an eye on the situation all the time.
In one way also, no surprise. Here in NY, through contract tracing they found only 0.69% of the cases came from religious activities."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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At that risk of derailing this thread, below is what I think is the most import part of Rogue06's post. If you wish to continue the discussion on the sentence, please start a new thread.
Originally posted by rogue06 View PostWorship in many Protestant churches, especially evangelical churches, Cherry said, has become a spectator experience, something "leaders do for the congregation."
"What you have ended up with, in hundreds of churches and across denominations, are people up front, on a stage, producing worship for the pleasure of the people," she said. "To me, this has put an exclamation point on a problem we already had."
Source[/cite]"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
Glad to read you're being prudent. Hope everyone gets well quickly and no more spread.
In one way also, no surprise. Here in NY, through contract tracing they found only 0.69% of the cases came from religious activities.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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For what it is worth -- my church has been fully opened (indoors with option of outdoors, though few do outside -- as well as online) and it is growing.
And double for what it is worth, our pastor made the point (right before reopening) that our church had seen somewhere between 5-10 deaths because of COVID, but NOT of COVID (0 deaths due to actual COVID). IOW, the deaths came from suicide, relapse into drugs, misdiagnosis at hospitals due to COVID measures, etc.
Point is people NEED community -- we are not meant to do life alone. If the church is to the light of the world, we need to be open.
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Originally posted by phat8594 View PostFor what it is worth -- my church has been fully opened (indoors with option of outdoors, though few do outside -- as well as online) and it is growing.
And double for what it is worth, our pastor made the point (right before reopening) that our church had seen somewhere between 5-10 deaths because of COVID, but NOT of COVID (0 deaths due to actual COVID). IOW, the deaths came from suicide, relapse into drugs, misdiagnosis at hospitals due to COVID measures, etc.
Point is people NEED community -- we are not meant to do life alone. If the church is to the light of the world, we need to be open.
Several of the new families have told me it's because of my insistence that "we need to be careful, but we're still going to 'be the church' that people need".The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
Our congregation is actually growing -- we STILL have room to spread out even with the additional families, and we're encouraging distancing and proper hygiene. With our regulars (mostly older people) watching from home, plus our "in house" crowd - we are seeing a pretty substantial growth in membership.
Several of the new families have told me it's because of my insistence that "we need to be careful, but we're still going to 'be the church' that people need".
Out of curiosity, what are the demographics of your new membership - mainly I'm thinking age ranges but anything else you might want to share."For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." Hosea 6:6
"Theology can be an intellectual entertainment." Metropolitan Anthony Bloom
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Originally posted by Thoughtful Monk View Post
I'm glad for your church. I pray it will continue.
Out of curiosity, what are the demographics of your new membership - mainly I'm thinking age ranges but anything else you might want to share.
Most of our "pre-Covid" congregation was older.
Heck, when I first came to this Church, my wife and I were the YOUTH group! (And we were in our early 60's then)
The thing I keep reminding our Church --- when this is all over (if it ever is over) it's going to be interesting when the Church all gets back together.
Because the "new people" are going to think that the old people coming back to church are "new".
Some of the "new people" are taking over responsibilities (much appreciated) that some of the folks who have not been coming to Church used to do.
I'm reminding our "older folks" that this is GOOD --- that it's healthy and needs to be embraced.
I'm reminding our "newer folks" that it's always possible that our "older folks" might feel resentment, so let's keep an eye on that, and be sure to mitigate it where possible.
I supposed it's like managing a "blended family" (your kids, my kids and our kids) and making it work.
So far - it's going GREAT!The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
Our congregation is actually growing -- we STILL have room to spread out even with the additional families, and we're encouraging distancing and proper hygiene. With our regulars (mostly older people) watching from home, plus our "in house" crowd - we are seeing a pretty substantial growth in membership.
Several of the new families have told me it's because of my insistence that "we need to be careful, but we're still going to 'be the church' that people need".Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
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I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist
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Originally posted by One Bad Pig View Post
We're growing as well, even though we don't have the space for everyone; most people can only attend every three weeks.The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.
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Originally posted by Cow Poke View Post
Are you considering multiple services? We're looking at that.
Veritas vos Liberabit<>< Learn Greek <>< Look here for an Orthodox Church in America<><Ancient Faith Radio
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I recommend you do not try too hard and ...research as little as possible. Such weighty things give me a headache. - Shunyadragon, Baha'i apologist
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