Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

CDC Issues Updated Guidance for Camps: 3 Things to Know

Camps across the nation are opening their screen doors and welcoming campers once again. New CDC guidance for youth summer camps offers hope for a fun-filled, Gospel-filled season.

Camp Food Service Amid COVID-19

How to get your camp kitchen and dining hall ready for Summer 2021 amid COVID-19. Here are some safety measures to consider.

Coronavirus: Temporary Day Care Guidelines

If your ministry has the desire and capability to provide temporary child care, you should consider the following points to protect your people and the children in your care.

Inviting the World to Your Virtual Meetings

Virtual platforms have transformed how we meet with colleagues around the world. They also have made us vulnerable to new risks. Here are seven steps you can take to improve the privacy of your next online meeting.

How To Set Up A Zoom Meeting

If you’ve never hosted a Zoom meeting before, there’s no reason to worry – setup is simple. Here's what you need to know.

Safely Host a Drive-in Worship Service

With stay-at-home orders in place for nearly every state, ministries are searching for creative ways to host worship services. Follow these steps to help you host a safe and successful drive-in worship service.

SCOTUS blocks OSHA ETS - Overview of the Large Employer Vaccine or Testing Mandate

On January 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6 to 3, that OSHA does not have the authority to require private employers to implement the COVID-19 Vaccines and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard.

President's Announcement about Vaccine Mandate for Employers Generates Questions

This rule for employers with 100+ employees has generated many questions from ministries since it was first announced on September 9, 2021. Most of these will have to wait for answers until the actual requirement is published. Ministry leaders should actively monitor the development of this “vaccine mandate” and consider how they may need to respond.

Vaccinations: Responding to Religious Exemption Requests from Attendees

You may be asked by an attendee to write a letter to their employer as supporting documentation or to sign off on a religious objection to immunizations waiver form. Before you do so consider this important question: Does your church have sincerely held beliefs against vaccines or immunizations?

Delta variant brings masking back to forefront

As COVID-19 rates begin to rise across the country, due in part to the Delta variant, church leaders may be wondering what measures to bring back to keep their people safe.

How COVID-19 Vaccines May Affect Schools

As COVID-19 vaccines become more available across the country, you may be wondering what it means for your school. This article provides a primer on the vaccine so you can make decisions on how best to protect your people.

COVID-19 Vaccine Basics

This article provides a primer on the vaccine so you can make decisions on how best to protect your people.

Turn Discord to Harmony: Conflict Resolution Practices for Ministry Leaders

A leader in the field of Christian conciliation, Ken Sande offers biblical guidance pastors can use to address existing conflicts within the church. Plus, he points to resources church leaders can use to teach relational wisdom to others.

Supreme Court Rules Against Size Restrictions for Church Gatherings

Houses of worship in NY, CO, and NJ received relief from what they say was a targeted executive order imposing harsh and unequal restrictions on in-person gatherings during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read how the Supreme Court justices came to their decision.

Coronavirus: Sample Health Screening Checklist and Waiver Form

The Sample Health Screening Checklist and Required Coronavirus Supplemental Release waiver are designed to help ministries develop screening procedures that help protect your ministry and its people.

Adaptability Essential When Illness is High at Chrsitmas Time

Preparing for Christmas services may require additional creativity this year. A rising tide of coronavirus infections could affect in-person gatherings in many communities.

Guidelines for Setting Up a Temporary Virtual Learning Site

If your ministry has the desire and capability to provide temporary virtual learning supervision, you should consider the following points to protect your people and the children in your care.

Get On The Bus

If your school or ministry operates buses or vans to transport students or attendees, you’ll need a plan to protect drivers and riders from contagious respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

Mold and Legionella Lurk in Unused Buildings

If any parts of your church, school, camp, or college campuses have been unoccupied over the past few months, you’ll want to review these preventive measures as you work to wipe microbial health hazards before you gather again.

COVID+ and your Ministry: Tracking and Tracing

In January, the thought of taking attendance for your church service or having people register in advance to attend a service was almost unheard of. Today, however, ministry teams are doing both.

To Sing or Not to Sing

As ministry leaders make plans for in-person services, the issue of singing has been an unexpected outcrop of the COVID-19 virus. Your ministry may be weighing whether worship singing is safe, when to allow it, and how.

Pastoral Care: Gaining Perspective and Recognizing Burnout

How are you doing? This simple yet complex question can yield amazing insight into how pastors are thinking and feeling right now. This article was created during COVID, but is still relevant.

Staffing the Children's Ministry

You may find that some volunteers in your children's ministry may not be ready to resume their roles at this time. If you do find a void, remember that it is important to not only select the right volunteers for the right jobs, but to also screen your volunteers.

What does children's ministry look like going forward?

As ministries begin gathering, there are still many questions about how to safely and effectively teach children and youth. Each ministry will need to decide what’s best for their own congregation, but the following tips may help minimize the spread of respiratory illnesses as you consider how and when you’ll gather your children and youth.

Children's Ministry Prep - Cleaning and Disinfecting

Stepping up your cleaning and disinfecting practices can help minimize the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 when you return to children and youth ministry activities.

Before We Gather - Planning for Social Distancing

What does social distancing look like at church? We’ve compiled a list of areas to consider so your team can begin making plans. Be sure to let your attendees, staff, and volunteers know about any changes and what to expect in advance.

Before We Gather - Deep Clean and Disinfect

Stepping up your cleaning and disinfecting practices can help minimize the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 as you return to worship services. The coronavirus may be viable for hours to days on chairs, desks, pews, counters, door handles, phones, computer keys, microphones, and more.

Before We Gather - Communication Reduces Fear and Increases Connection

As your ministry makes plans to resume normal operations, ongoing communication with your employees, volunteers, and congregation remains an important element. Open communication about what to expect and any changes you plan to implement will help alleviate fear and anxiety.

Before We Gather - Taking the Touch Out of High-Touch Areas

It’s key for ministries to consider how they can limit possible germ spread through high-touch surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, faucets, sinks, toilets, touch pads, Bibles, coffee pots, pens, water fountains, offering plates, and more.

Before We Gather – Facilities Preparation

As you prepare for a gradual return to normal operations, you may be wondering how your ministry can prepare its facilities to address health and safety. There are steps you can take now to make sure your facilities are ready.

Stay Connected--Alternate Ways to Host a Church Service

During this time of quarantine, limited travel, and sheltering in, people want to feel connected. Your ministry has an opportunity to creatively reach your worshippers and maybe even a wider audience. Here are 9 ideas you can use as a starting point.

Property Maintenance Prevents Surprises

If permitted by your local or state officials, don’t forget to routinely check on your building and its important equipment, like HVAC systems and plumbing fixtures, to ensure they’re functioning correctly.

Empty Buildings Attract Problems

As Christian ministries shift to temporarily hosting virtual services, empty buildings can become targets for vandalism and theft. Here are some practical steps you can take now to help protect your ministry property.

Coronavirus - COVID-19 Prevention and Planning Guidance

To help keep your employees, volunteers, students, and ministry attendees healthy, learn more about the preventive steps your organization can take to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Giving in Digital Times

As states recommend churches take a break from in-person services, ministry leaders are wondering about the impact on their day-to-day operations. The simplest option to address tithe and offering during a season without physical gatherings is online giving.

Communicating in a Time of Coronavirus

Explore ways to share timely and accurate information with your community. Use these tactics to keep your people updated on schedules, cancellations, service and outreach opportunities, small gatherings, and more:

Coronavirus and your Building: Deep Clean and Disinfect

Stepping up your cleaning practices can help minimize the spread of infectious diseases in your church or school. Experts say that cleaning of surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19.

Avoid Unmasking an OSHA Violation

When it comes to keeping employees safe, OSHA governs occupational safety standards—including COVID-19 exposure. Can employees can file a claim if you fail to protect them?

In-Person Services Cancelled: Taking the Gospel Online

Ministry leaders face the challenge of rethinking how they “do” church if they can’t deliver the word in-person. We’ve gathered some practical ideas to help you continue the work of the gospel online while your doors are temporarily closed.

Coronavirus May Warrant Creative Approaches to Communion

As the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to rise in the U.S., many churches are addressing their approach to Communion to limit the spread of the disease.

Church Shares Coronavirus Messaging

Looking for help drafting a letter to your congregation about the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and its impact on your church family? Northshore Church in Washington has openly shared its letter as a sample template.

Coronavirus: Review your Infectious Disease Plan

Now is a good time to review your ministry’s infectious disease plan. Consider the following to include in your plan:

Coronavirus and Cyber Fraud

While ministries are looking for ways to reach our and engage their congregations during the coronavirus pandemic, scammers are hoping to cash in during this vulnerable time. Protect your people and your data with these critical cyber security tips...

Facilities Use Agreement

To limit the liability your church, school, or camp assumes, require all groups borrowing or renting space in your buildings or on your property to sign a facilities use agreement.

Activity Participation Agreement for Ministry and School

This sample agreement can be used for ministry or school. Ensure participants understand risks and protect your ministry from liability by having participants sign an activity participation agreement.

Navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic

Coronavirus Resources for Ministries

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