Churches in Alberta can go back onsite with gatherings under 50 people. However COVID-19 restrictions mean no congregational singing, no children’s ministry, no passing the plate or the peace. Doesn’t sound much like a party, does it?
Wouldn’t waiting to return onsite until you can have a party serve your congregation and community best? And in the meantime a Drive-In church model could be the way to celebrate with your community. At least you’ll be able to sing in your car, invite friends and neighbours to a safe environment and enjoy some sunshine.
Churches with large parking lots and power sources are primed for daytime Drive-in Church. Inviting neighbours and monitoring respectful sound levels is a good neighbour act of love. For smaller towns, Drive-In church is a prime ministry opportunity. Show co-operation and build community between denominations. Make use of available public spaces with accommodating parking lots. Pastor Mauricio Rabino of Bethel Pentecostal Church in Barrhead is working with local churches to plan an inter-church Drive-in service in a community parking lot.
Have local churches rotate volunteer responsibilities of traffic control, spacing guidelines, washroom monitoring, musicians and singers. Put in some effort to make the presentation of the highest quality for your community. Publicize your services well on all social media platforms.
Obtain local AHS approval before proceeding with your Drive-In service. Alberta Health Services have acknowledged that Drive-in services may be held in designated parking lots or staging areas.
Guidelines:
Event organizers must have measures in place to keep people from leaving their vehicles at the service.
Vehicles should be separated by a minimum of two metres.
Where washroom access is provided, frequent cleaning and disinfection must occur.
People leaving their vehicles to use the washrooms must maintain a minimum of two metres of separation from others at all times.
Ryan Pedde and Bridge Church hosted an Easter Drive-In service in Fort Saskatchewan at the Dow Centennial Centre and will resume starting June 14th. The event was approved by the province, Alberta Health Services and the City of Fort Saskatchewan.
Best Practises
Use an FM transmitter less than 1w so that a CRTC license is not required.
We built our own move-able stage on a trailer.
Use a drone for fun footage.
Use a text number so people can receive a connect card and safety instructions as they arrive.
Ben Kellert of Killam Pentecstal Tabernacle and Pastor Doug Webb of Sedgewick Community Church of the Nazareneheld a Drive-In Easter Service in Killam at the Killam Arena and they plan for more Drive-In services this summer.
Permission for the property and access to electricity was requested and granted by the Killam Town Office.
Permission was granted from the RCMP.
A trailer was delivered and picked up by a local oilfield trucking company.
Sound system was provided by Killam Pentecostal Tabernacle.
FM transmitters were supplied by a town councillor and the Sedgewick Community Church of the Nazarene.
Separate microphones were provided for each participant.
Prayed for RCMP, Victim services, hospital workers, small businesses and owners.
Parking attendants ensured each car was a safe distance from each other and that no one left their vehicles.
Service was live-streamed on Facebook.
Following the service the 30 vehicles did a drive by parade of honor to the Long term Care Centre, Hospital and RCMP station.
Deer Park Church in Red Deer hosted the first Drive-In service in Alberta on March 22nd with more than 60 vehicles. Services have continued in the parking lot each Sunday.
Venue Church of Airdrie hosted four Easter worship services in a drive-in church format using a 20-foot LED wall.
Pastor Cal Ellerby and the High River Full Gospel Church hosted Easter Sunday in the church parking lot.
Think creative. Be innovative. Make the Good News great. Share your ideas for your Drive-In services below. #ReturnStronger
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.