This week in our “Voices” series we want to share the highlights of our congregational survey on reopening the church. We’re grateful for the “voices” of those 175 people who provided information that will be helpful as we prepare for return to public worship.
We also want to update you on the plan that is developing as we pray and consult with elders, deacons, staff, and our church family.
Highlights of the Congregational Survey on Reopening The Church
Here are six takeaways that stood out:
Given CDC recommendations and best practices for safety, 57% of those who responded would be comfortable returning to worship by early June. 30% are still unsure, and 11% are not ready to return in the foreseeable future.
The biggest felt need is for fellowship and community: 62%. We also see significant numbers of people battling stress (32%) or loneliness (18%).
Most households, 66%, have found the COVID season to be hard overall. 19% feel that it has been about the same.
Of those in Community Groups, 2/3 are willing to attend in person, while 1/3 would say not right away.
With regard to children, 34% are ready to send elementary age children to SPLASH anytime, with 30% preferring to wait until schools reopen. For nursery age, 22% are ready now, while 46% simply do not know yet.
For families having middle or high school students, 77% would be comfortable with their teenagers attending youth group anytime or when church resumes public worship.
Benchmarks for Returning to Public Worship
Churches in our city are all over the map on this, with some starting in June and others waiting until the fall. In our case, there is an added challenge: venue. As you know, our normal worship location is in an Orange County Public School, which has not yet granted access.
That said, our reopening plan lists several criteria.
CDC and other guidelines, including phases in the reopening of public events. Phase 1 involves groups under 10; Phase 2 groups under 50; and Phase 3 larger groups. So we are preparing to return to public worship in Phase 3.
Love for neighbor—adhering to safety measures and phases so that our church does not unwittingly contribute to the spread of new cases.
Gospel shaped deference toward those who disagree. While our society is locked in debate, Christians have a gospel ethic that leads us to hold differences with grace and respect toward others. Our heart is to be good neighbors, to love one another, and to have gospel humility if the timeline is not our ideal.
Next Steps
While we do not yet have a date certain (see above in regard to public schools and phases), we do want to have forward movement toward more in-person fellowship and community. We do not have to wait to begin taking steps. In fact, we believe that God in his providence still calls us to “be the church” in our homes and communities. While our lockdown in no way compares to the limits imposed on the persecuted church around the world, we chafe at limits.
We view our congregation as adults with the wisdom and responsibility to make their own decisions. We have no plans to dictate or limit what people can do. We can only be clear about what Lake Baldwin Church can offer in each phase.
It’s helpful to think of our plan in light of public phases for the reopening of restaurants, sporting venues, schools, etc. So here are some steps we can take in each phase:
Phase 1 —Gatherings under 10
Online worship
Community groups and other gatherings by Zoom
Discipleship among youth and adults in 1-1 settings, with social distancing.
Phase 2 —Gatherings under 50
Online Sunday services continue
Community groups encouraged to meet in person if that is their wish
Informal fellowship for Sunday services with friends or neighbors
Conceivably we could offer classes
Phase 3 —Larger public gatherings
Return to public worship for those who are ready
Online worship continues for those who are at risk or who prefer to worship at home for any reason
The worship environment would be prepared with safety in mind, adhering to CDC guidelines and best practices
As with any church, the return to public worship will involve careful and safe re-engagement with willing volunteers.
We will learn a lot during the coming weeks, as restrictions are relaxed and as (some) churches begin to meet. A spike in COVID cases would obviously slow or change the process.
In summary…
We appreciate your patience, prayers, and support during this process. We thank the congregation for how so many have responded to this season in so many ways.
If you have questions or input, please do not hesitate to reach out to the elders, the deacons, or the staff.
We have a heart of love for our church family, and, like you, we yearn to gather again, to come into his presence with joyful singing. May we continue to go from strength to strength as we pass through this “Valley of Baca.”
Our own stories are powerful, and even more so once shared. As Fred Rogers put it, "never underestimate the impact that your mere existence can have on another human being."
Here with Voices, you'll have the chance to read stories from various members of our church family, each chronicling what it feels and looks like now that so many things have changed. If you’d like to comment or learn more about this series, you can reach out to us at hello@lakebaldwinchurch.com.