Churches that have resumed on-site gatherings should provide their congregation with appropriate technical training on how to use network technology. Online churches should also teach more believers how to use various online media tools to ensure they experience a good quality of online services.
As the pandemic slows down, some small to medium-sized churches have resumed physical gatherings. Yet, large churches are still meeting online because the pandemic has not been completely driven away. As a result, because of their limitations, churches have formed two different ways of gathering.
The rebound of the pandemic and the predictions of some experts tell us that the pandemic will not disappear in a short time, and no expert can give an accurate statement on how long this condition will last.
From this point of view, churches that are still gathering online won't resume for some time although they are not to remain online forever.
As to those that have resumed in-person gatherings, they are likely to stop gathering again if there is an unexpected outbreak.
At present, believers of churches that have resumed services are happy with the re-opening, whereas those who have not resumed meeting together are desperately looking forward to the time when they can again meet in person.
We can't say which choice is better, whether to gather in person or online. A gathering of people of faith will not be hindered under any circumstances, because God cares and protects his people. Online worship services are a way in which we can continue to worship God.
There are several thousand years of history connected to gathering together for worship. However, believers have also become accustomed to meeting virtually. They can communicate with each other and it is also a convenient way to receive donations.
Pastors and believers in churches that are still meeting virtually are eager to again gather in person as soon as possible. Believers who meet online can easily be attracted by the vitality of meeting in person.
This makes it increasingly difficult to guarantee the quality and quantity of online gatherings. This situation undoubtedly sends a special signal to all churches, no matter how and where they meet
This is a very clear warning signal.
Although physical gatherings have resumed, the major difficulties that once appeared in online gatherings will be easily submerged in joy and passion.
In fact, the difficulties of online gathering are also encountered by the churches that have resumed physical gathering not long ago. On the occasion of resuming the physical gathering, the believers of the whole church should be trained appropriately to use network technology.
For instance, believers should learn how to use various media tools, such as WeChat groups, WeChat moments, online live broadcast rooms, video conference software and the technical operation and the use of a church’s WeChat official account. Pastors should also have a process of changing their roles and gradually adapt to preaching and testifying in various platforms.
Churches gathering online should also take advantage of the slowing down of the pandemic situation to let more believers learn well the use of various media tools and strengthen the cohesion of online gathering.
These things should not be taken lightly. One is that the party may stop again because the pandemic is not over. The other is to plan ahead and pave the way for solving similar special circumstances in the future.
To rise to the height of our faith, we should change the existing mode of ministering and gathering to cope with the ever-changing and rapidly developing times and society.
Even if one day the pandemic is over, the online way of gathering is the best secondary way of caring for believers.
- Translated by Charlie Li
两种聚会模式，向我们发出了什么样的信号？
恢复实体聚会模式的教会，应对信徒给以适当的网络技术培训。线上聚会的教会也应让更多的信徒掌握各类媒体工具的使用，加强线上聚会的凝聚力。
因其疫情的趋缓，一部分中小型教会恢复了线下的实体聚会。但因疫情还没有完全解除，一部分大型教会依然在线上聚会。于是，教会在这样的尴尬与无奈中，形成了两种聚会模式。
疫情的反弹与一些专家的预测告诉我们，疫情不可能在短期内消失，这种状态究竟会持续多久，没有哪个专家能够给出一个相应准确的结论。
这么来看，依然处在线上聚会的教会，什么时候恢复线下实体聚会，不敢说是遥遥无期，但至少在短期内是不会恢复的。
即使那些恢复线下实体聚会的教会，如果疫情发生意外的情况，也完全有可能再次停止聚会。
当下教会的情形是，恢复线下实体聚会的信徒喜乐融融，那些没有恢复线下实体聚会的信徒，依然处在忧心以盼的阶段。
对这样两种模式的聚会，我们不能说哪个好哪个不好，在聚会模式上不存在孰优孰劣，只存在对神的信心的强大与软弱与否。真实的信仰聚会，无论在任何环境下都不会受到阻碍的，因为有神的呵护和保守，线上聚会就是神保守他的选民继续聚会的一种方式。
从聚会模式上来说，实体聚会已有千年传承的历史，信徒已经习惯线下的实体聚会。信徒可以互相之间进行身心交流，也方便收取奉献。
所以，那些还没有恢复实体聚会的教会，无论是信徒和牧者都渴望尽早恢复实体聚会。就是在这种状态下，线上聚会的信徒见线下实体聚会的轰轰烈烈，便很容易被吸引过去。
这就造成线上聚会的质量与数量将会越来越难以得到保障。这样的态势下，无疑向各教会，包括所有线上线下的教会，发出了一个特别的的信号。
这个信号不是蓝色的，而是一道非常鲜明的警示性的红色信号。
线下实体聚会虽然恢复，但曾经在线上聚会出现的那几大难点，会很轻易的淹没在喜乐与激情之中。
实际上，线上聚会的那些难点，也是已经恢复实体聚会教会不久前遭遇过的。应该趁此恢复实体聚会之际，对整个教会的信徒给以适当网络技术培训。
比如要信徒学会各类媒体工具的使用，比如微信群、朋友圈、网上直播间、视频会议软件及教会公众号的技术操作和使用等。牧者也应要有一个角色转变的过程，逐步适应各类媒体上的讲道和分享。
线上聚会的教会，也应该趁此疫情趋缓的状态下，让更多的信徒掌握各类媒体工具的使用，加强线上聚会的凝聚力。
不可轻看这些事，一个是因疫情并未结束，聚会完全有可能再次停止。一个是未雨绸缪，为日后解决类似的特殊际遇铺平道路。
如果上升到信仰层面来认识，就是要改变现有的牧养和聚会模式，以应对不断变化和快速发展的时代与社会。
即便有一天疫情结束，线上聚会模式也是对信徒牧养的一个最好的辅助模式。
两种聚会模式，向我们发出了什么样的信号？
Churches that have resumed on-site gatherings should provide their congregation with appropriate technical training on how to use network technology. Online churches should also teach more believers how to use various online media tools to ensure they experience a good quality of online services.
As the pandemic slows down, some small to medium-sized churches have resumed physical gatherings. Yet, large churches are still meeting online because the pandemic has not been completely driven away. As a result, because of their limitations, churches have formed two different ways of gathering.
The rebound of the pandemic and the predictions of some experts tell us that the pandemic will not disappear in a short time, and no expert can give an accurate statement on how long this condition will last.
From this point of view, churches that are still gathering online won't resume for some time although they are not to remain online forever.
As to those that have resumed in-person gatherings, they are likely to stop gathering again if there is an unexpected outbreak.
At present, believers of churches that have resumed services are happy with the re-opening, whereas those who have not resumed meeting together are desperately looking forward to the time when they can again meet in person.
We can't say which choice is better, whether to gather in person or online. A gathering of people of faith will not be hindered under any circumstances, because God cares and protects his people. Online worship services are a way in which we can continue to worship God.
There are several thousand years of history connected to gathering together for worship. However, believers have also become accustomed to meeting virtually. They can communicate with each other and it is also a convenient way to receive donations.
Pastors and believers in churches that are still meeting virtually are eager to again gather in person as soon as possible. Believers who meet online can easily be attracted by the vitality of meeting in person.
This makes it increasingly difficult to guarantee the quality and quantity of online gatherings. This situation undoubtedly sends a special signal to all churches, no matter how and where they meet
This is a very clear warning signal.
Although physical gatherings have resumed, the major difficulties that once appeared in online gatherings will be easily submerged in joy and passion.
In fact, the difficulties of online gathering are also encountered by the churches that have resumed physical gathering not long ago. On the occasion of resuming the physical gathering, the believers of the whole church should be trained appropriately to use network technology.
For instance, believers should learn how to use various media tools, such as WeChat groups, WeChat moments, online live broadcast rooms, video conference software and the technical operation and the use of a church’s WeChat official account. Pastors should also have a process of changing their roles and gradually adapt to preaching and testifying in various platforms.
Churches gathering online should also take advantage of the slowing down of the pandemic situation to let more believers learn well the use of various media tools and strengthen the cohesion of online gathering.
These things should not be taken lightly. One is that the party may stop again because the pandemic is not over. The other is to plan ahead and pave the way for solving similar special circumstances in the future.
To rise to the height of our faith, we should change the existing mode of ministering and gathering to cope with the ever-changing and rapidly developing times and society.
Even if one day the pandemic is over, the online way of gathering is the best secondary way of caring for believers.
- Translated by Charlie Li
While Churches Gather On-site and Online, Network Technology Training is Still Needed
