It’s been incredible to see the mass movement of online church over the past several weeks. Pastors who maybe didn’t fully comprehend how to use email are now live broadcasting several times per week on YouTube. Youth groups running exclusively through YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and TikTok. Without in-person contact, we have had to adapt. And as cool as it has been to see. I know we all feel a little empty just going online for our ministry. With that being said, Here are 3 ways you can connect to your students that isn’t online during COVID-19.
Care Package
If you can brave a trip to the grocery store, or better yet have some old concession and merch available this is an idea for you. Pack up some paper bags with a can of soda, some branded items like stickers, or a mug, and maybe some candy or chips. You could add a little card highlighting your online youth schedule and social media accounts. Then take them to the doorsteps of your students. It would be great to get their small group leader to drop it off to keep some connection. They will have to stay 6 feet apart on delivery but the personal touch will be a gamechanger.
Handwritten Letter
Okay, I admit it. I hate pen and paper writing. I frankly am not sure exactly how to fill out an envelope and cannot remember the last time I actually wrote a letter. However, this is the perfect time to learn again. It doesn’t have to be fancy or long, but writing a short personal note to a student letting them know that you are praying for them shows a real strong element of pastoral care. Throw in the card with your online connecting points as well. It may seem like a small idea but this will pay off big in the long run.
Phone call
I admit it, this is kind of technology. But not online like the rest. I hate making calls. I hate receiving calls because usually in my mind people only call when bad things happen. However, this is a great time to pick up the phone and call your students and ask them how they are doing. Ask what they have been up to, encourage them, pray with them. Another option is to call parents as well. Parents are human beings too, who are stuck coordinating work, health, homeschool and the stress of what is happening in the world around them. This is a great chance to learn from the student’s primary caregiver what is happening and how you can best partner to effectively see that student make it through this crisis closer to Jesus than when he or she began.
Together we can thrive and not just survive during this crisis.
Jeff Kiers serves as the Next Gen Coach for the District Resource Centre. Jeff is passionate about finding creative ways to communicate the gospel to traditionally unchurched demographics.