Edwin Poots, the Environment Minister, recently suggested that reopening churches could be considered in the coming weeks. Perhaps this might be possible for private prayer, but leaders of the four main churches in Northern Ireland have said it would be too early to consider normal services until wider lockdown restrictions have been eased. In a church that is full on a Sunday, with a large age range, many vulnerable people would be put at risk. This is why many churches voluntarily decided to cease most activities prior to the Government-enforced lockdown. But churches are still functioning in plenty of ways.

As a youth worker in a Presbyterian church I can speak from the experience of what we are doing along with what I have heard from staff in other churches. 

Technology is our friend at this time. Most churches are continuing with Sunday services, except now they are online. Some are livestreaming and some are pre-recording, but they are ensuring that they still get to deliver a standard Sunday service. The obvious limitations apply. For example, a physical monetary offering cannot be given (some churches are encouraging their members to set up direct debit payments) and singing praise is a very different experience when in your own home with very few people. However, Bible readings and sermons remain, and some places are being inventive by having recorded video contributions from members of the church and by having separate kids’ talks. Services are shorter, which is to be expected, but they do continue.

While the Sunday service is the key point in the week when the entire church family comes together there are other organisations which run during the week. As a youth worker I have the responsibility of ensuring that we can still reach out to the families, children and young people in our congregation. In normal times our Youth Fellowship meets on a Sunday evening. These meeting have been able to continue via Zoom, just like our midweek Bible study for all ages. Using Zoom has also allowed us to run family events such as quizzes and fellowship times.

Social media plays a huge role in helping us stay connected. We use our Facebook and Instagram platforms to post regular Bible devotions which people can read and engage with online and at their own pace. Some older people can be more difficult to fully involve, as well as anyone who isn’t familiar with social media and modern technology. Thankfully they are all familiar with phones and we have formed a prayer chain, which can also double up as a decent time to just chat with someone.

The church is also offering practical help. Many churches have teams of volunteers who are willing to do shopping and deliver necessary items to those who are unable to leave their houses. With many people struggling financially, churches serve as hubs for charity. Many are connected to organisations such as CAP (Christians against Poverty), or local foodbanks, aimed at helping those most in need. Churches have been able to encourage people to keep giving, and in some cases increase what they usually give in order to meet an increased need at this time.

Jesus commands his followers to share the Gospel, put God first, and love their neighbours. The situation has changed dramatically from a couple of months ago, but churches are aiming to fulfil these three commands by thinking creatively. The Gospel is still being shared through Sunday services and various midweek meetings, people are being encouraged to keep God in their daily routine through using daily devotions, and they are loving their neighbours by offering help with the needs of the most vulnerable.

People in all walks of life are being challenged, but through this we are learning new skills. Many church leaders are slowly mastering modern technology and many members are becoming comfortable with using it. We are being challenged to think creatively and possibly put more thought into what we are doing than we ever have before. The church looks very different at the minute, but it is still there, and is still accessible.

In some ways it’s more accessible than ever before to the wider community, particularly at a time when people might find themselves reflecting about life’s priorities more than usual. If you have any questions about faith – questions that you’ve had for ages or questions that you didn’t realise you had until now – you can always find out more by connecting with your local church. While services look set to be on Facebook or YouTube instead of in a building for the immediate future, they go to show that churches are continuing to function – even during lockdown.