Crisis can’t cancel Easter. That’s the first thing we all agree on.
Our traditional in-person gatherings can’t go forward as we intend. So we need to pursue options and ensure that Easter is no less meaningful. And, if we get this right, we can make Easter 2020 the most meaningful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
The God who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in your ministry and through your technology.
Counter Intuit
Easter weekend is usually the biggest church production of the year. This year create celebrations that are simple, succinct, spread out during the week, and engaging.
Simple – Less is more. Minimize the numbers of participants and tech requirements and maximize audio and video quality.
Succinct – Your main broadcast should be 30-44 minutes in length.
Spread out – Present your Easter content online from Palm Sunday through to Easter Monday. Short video clips to tell the Easter story. Bible passages.
Engaging – Continually engage your viewers – rather than 4 songs in a row, intersperse a Bible reading, or a question or a one minute video between songs. Kids will view with their parents so insert a couple of for-the-kids-moments.
Even with high engagement people probably won’t stay with you all the way through. Insert your call to action earlier than usual in your service. What do you want people to take away? To do?
Note: Be informal, but don’t be messy. If you’re broadcasting from home, keep your pets out of the room – they’re not as cute as you think. No distractions.
Community Connection
Good Friday is prime time for a multi-congregation or an inter-denominational gathering in your community. Here’s how you can pull it off online.
Start now. Produce a simple service. You need to have a video ready to go by April 7th.
Get the co-operation of your local ministerial president or whoever sends out the emails or snail mail. Communicate the “why” of a community service - crisis is an opportune time to show the community what we share in common. Work with all who are willing.
Video every participating church leaders (pastors, priests, volunteers) reading a Bible verse, welcoming viewers, offering a prayer (short), praying a blessing at the conclusion, preaching a brief message, celebrating communion. Insert text showing their name and church.
Focus the message on hope coming from death. That’s why we call it “good” Friday.
Film familiar landmarks in your community. Use them to intro the service.
Celebrate Communion (https://abnwt.com/articles/together-apart-an-online-communion-experience)
Inform your congregation and community before the service that you will be sharing communion.
As the broadcast begins, let viewers know that later in the broadcast a leader will explain the meaning, significance and how to share communion.
Celebrating communion is a golden, redemptive opportunity to make crystal clear why Jesus died and that he is alive again.
Understand that traditional ways of sharing communion may make it difficult for some denominational leaders to participate. Acknowledge and go with the willing.
Our faith is bigger than our facilities. Celebrate together, apart.
Let’s get busy and believe for widespread, profound salvation experiences this Easter season.
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.