Develop a Discipleship System
Resources for Responding to COVID-19 Outbreak
The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of daily life for people across the globe. Phrases like "social distancing" have become commonplace. In the U.S., most schools and universities have closed; many businesses have temporarily shut their doors or will open for limited hours; and the CDC has recommended large gatherings should not take place at this time.
Local churches are also attempting to respond in appropriate ways, but many congregations have questions. The resources included below can assist your church as it seeks answers about this new reality.
Check back for updates to this page.
Click here to see all of Discipleship Ministries' COVID-19 resources
Chuck Knows Church: Things WE Can Do
Posted: March 19, 2020 | 2:29 p.m. CDT
Chuck Knows Church is back! He’s teaming up with #SeeAllThePeople to share a few simple ideas that your church can do to help your community during this time of crisis.
Watch the videos on UMCDiscipleship.org
The CARES Act May Save Your Church
Posted: March 31, 2020 | 11:26 a.m. CDT
The CARES Act provides much needed stimulus to individuals, businesses, and hospitals in response to the economic distress caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Read more on UMCDiscipleship.org
Thinking Ahead: Rites of Passage in the COVID-19 Moment
Posted: March 30, 2020 | 2:14 p.m. CDT
As a local church youth ministry leader, this is an excellent time to think creatively about how you and your church can help address one group of experiences that will be lost because of the effects of quarantine: the rites of passage that normally take place in April, May, June, and July.
Read more on YouthWorkerCollective.com
CARES Act could be a Lifeline for Local Churches
Posted: March 30, 2020 | 11:37 a.m. CDT
The U.S. Congress recently passed three relief bills to help the country navigate the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic. The third bill was the 2020 CARES Act, which is a "paycheck protection plan" that will help pay staff but can also help with mortgage payments, rent, utilities, and payment of benefits.
Read more on UMCDiscipleship.org
Families First Coronavirus Response Act May Impact Your Local Church
Posted: March 30, 2020 | 11:20 a.m. CDT
The U.S. Congress has been passing legislation in repose to the COVID-19 crisis and the growing impact on our country. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was the second of the three passed this past week and may impact churches across the country.
Read more on UMCDiscipleship.org
Hope in the Lord!
Posted: March 30, 2020 | 8:45 a.m. CDT
Hope is in the Lord! In the midst of the fear and anxiety of this uneven and unusual season, we are people of hope! Our mission in this season is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in the face of disruption and distance.
Read blog post on BishopBillMcAlilly.com
Five Tips for Managing Your Church Budget During the Covid-19 Crisis
Posted: March 27, 2020 | 9:35 a.m. CDT
People around us are in unfamiliar territory, stumbling in the darkness, but the light of Christ is in us. Let that light shine, and don’t let our economic worries overshadow our call to be in ministry where Christ would be in ministry. Here are some tips that I hope will help.
Read more on UMCDiscipleship.org
Remembering Holy Week, Celebrating Easter at Home
Posted: March 26, 2020 | 1:55 p.m.
Holy Week and Easter traditionally provide a wealth of opportunities for remembering, meditating and celebrating at church. Adults may set aside time for more intense prayer, study and service. But what do families, especially those with younger children, do at home for Holy Week and Easter?
Read more on UMCDiscipleship.org (English & Korean)
Livestreaming Using What You Have
Posted: March 26, 2020 | 9:23 a.m. CDT
Andrew Jensen, Audio Visual Specialist with GCFA, hosted this Facebook Live session called "Livestreaming Using What You Have." Jensen has years of experience in technology and video production and offers easy to follow tips on how local churches can navigate through all the resources available to livestream and otherwise provide church services.
Social Media and Spirituality: The New Reality for Churches
Posted: March 24, 2020 | 3:20 p.m. CDT
The Coronavirus has forced many of us to stay home and find connection through social media. While social distancing will end when the threat of COVID-19 diminishes, the shift to creating and cultivating community online will remain with us. If the church cannot embrace this new reality, we will find ourselves “flattening the curve” of our impact on all generations.