Church & Ministry

“As the COVID-19 pandemic forces the church to restructure worship and establish online giving, pastor Michael Cooper told Baptist Press most of his members are not accustomed to tithing and giving online.” - BPNews

“Streaming a sermon over Facebook Live for a week or two is a fine temporary substitute for in-person Bible teaching. But how can churches use technology to support the community provided by the local church gathering while we are prevented from meeting?” - F&T

Disgraced Pastor James MacDonald last night announced that he’ll be returning to the pulpit on March 22 with an 8-part series at Calvary Chapel South Bay in Gardena, California.

Here’s a collection of some of the latest (at this moment) COVID-19 related news and views, mostly from Christian sources.


• For the most up to date, fact-focused USA information, go to CDC’s COVID-19 page.

• If you want to track “real time” worldwide data, a great source is the Johns Hopkins interactive map.


Christian perspectives…

“The coronavirus outbreak has led to public gatherings being canceled across the country, and church leaders are trying to figure out what to do. What information should you put in your pastoral letter to your congregation? Should you keep holding services? What does it mean for your church to love your neighbors well during this time?” - Church Leaders

“[H]ow can we practically serve God during this season dominated by Covid-19? Three main ways: 1. Diligently praise God for His sovereignty. 2. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, do not give in to fear. 3. By God’s grace, serve those in our communities who are the most at risk of being adversely affected by Covid-19.” - John Ellis

“I’ve been truly blessed through most of my ministry to have some great team members. But I’ve also had some bad experiences in this department, and these contrasting experiences have revealed a few characteristics that make someone a truly great team member.” - F&T

“Odle is currently pastor of First Baptist Church, Elyria, Ohio, where he has served since 2011, and a member of the GARBC Council of Eighteen.

1918: “DC churches responded by calling an emergency meeting of the Protestant ministers….they ‘voted unanimously to accede to the request of the District Commissioners that churches be closed in the city.’ As The Evening Star reported the next day that the ‘Pastors Federation of Washington’ would comply with and support the safety measures called for by the city.” -

“As the coronavirus spreads in the U.S., congregations are facing a situation many have never considered. In response, the LifeWay Leadership team has developed pandemic response resources that are being made available for free to assist pastors and church leaders at MinistryGrid.com/coronavirus.” - BPNews