Your NT-NL Synod, ELCA staff have been monitoring and connecting with all of our congregations relating to their plans about coming back to in-person worship. By weeks end, we will know the current plans of all 100 of our worshipping communities. This is important data, and also we are hearing about trends from those who are coming back. Data that we need for future planning and resourcing.
I enjoyed hearing from Carey Nieuwhof during the ELCA larger church online gathering last month. This article he shares (which of course is to sell his products, which this share is not an endorsement of) offers some good thoughts about the realities congregations are finding as they are coming back together. He also raises good questions about where resources are being allocated and where the most potential for reaching people is. I also encourage you to read my blog post regarding how to count online attendance.
These thoughts parallel with my blog, https://www.ntnl.org/five-questions-you-should-be-asking/, in which I ask 5 questions your congregation should be considering right now as we continue to deal with the challenge of this crisis. I encourage you to take time to read both of these resources. Briarwood Leadership Center is also planning events and resources based on these questions to best serve you. #NTNL #BWTX #InMissionTogether