530-993-4379
Sierra Booster
  • Home
  • Newspaper
    • Latest News
    • Letters to the Editor >
      • Submit Letter to the Editor
    • Old News Archive
    • Photo Tour
    • Events
    • About Us
    • SUBSCRIBE
  • Advertiser Directory
    • Advertiser Press Releases
    • Website Sponsors
    • Advertiser Area
  • Buy Ads - Services
  • Fishing Report
  • Contact Us
  • Admin Log In

Covid-19 and Churches Shaking Hands?

3/24/2020

0 Comments

 
 
 Dr. Glenn Mollette
In the old days, Church pastors frowned on their church members staying home to watch television preachers Rex Humbard, Jerry Falwell or Robert Schuller. The sick and the very elderly were typically pardoned but that was as far as grace was extended.  The vast majority of churches across the land did not televise their services or broadcast church on the radio. Traditionally churches have preferred keeping their flock coming to the "house of God." 
 
Essentially most churches haven't changed their philosophy. Congregations have always enjoyed "gathering" to sing, hear sermons, eat meals together and importantly -shake hands. 
 
Media ministry in the old days was usually reserved for the large and affluent churches that could afford to buy television time or at least radio air time. Television broadcasting has always been expensive and so very few churches have been able to televise their services. A few more churches through the years have been able to afford radio time.

I remember one of my old-time preacher friends shaming his congregation one Sunday. He said, "One reason you people should not sit home and watch church on your television is because you can't shake hands with your television." 
 
The church has always placed a lot of emphasis on "togetherness, shaking hands, hugging and embracing others."  Now, no one wants to shake hands and embrace each other. Because of Covid-19 people are trying to stay six feet apart. Furthermore, almost every minister and congregation in the country has the ability to broadcast his or her service via the Internet or Facebook. Media ministry now is available to almost everyone. Ministers now want people to tune in on Facebook or whatever media they are using. Ministers still prefer that people attend church, but if they are the "ones" being watched then it's fine. 
 
It's ironic how things change. What used to be kind of taboo for some churches is widely embraced now. One of the reasons is because it's so available. It's also affordable. People have computers and cell phones. People are on Facebook or have some other Internet accessibility. Radio airtime is more affordable in many areas. Things and times change. Plus, we've never been hit by anything like this pandemic where people are being told to stay home and that church is off limits. Whoever thought that church attendance might be ordered by the governor to be off limits? 
 
Many houses of worship began building their websites years ago so that members could do their giving online. This is a good thing especially if people are already in the habit of donating this way. Churches who do not gather typically never recoup their giving. Some faithful members will catch up on charitable giving but most will not. Churches along with everyone will suffer during this pandemic. 

Houses of faith will survive during this virus crisis but life will change for most congregations. Many will be excited to get back to the church pew and shaking hands when they can. Or, they may conclude they don't need to shake hands anymore.
Click here for -> Books By Glenn Mollette , Read his latest book Uncommon Sense
Music by Glenn Mollette through iTunes and all music dealers
  
Contact him at GMollette@aol.com.   Learn more at www.glennmollette.com   Like his facebook page at www.facebook.com/glennmollette
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    April 2014
    September 2009

    Categories

    All
    2015
    Sierra County News

    RSS Feed

    Vie
    ​w Old News

CONTACT US:

Sierra Booster Newspaper
PO Box 8
Loyalton, CA 96118
Phone: 530-993-4379
Fax: 844-272-8583
Email: jbuck@psln.com

Website Privacy Policy​
Picture
Local Weather
©Copyright Sierra Booster - Sierra County News - Editorial
Website by Chamber Nation