The Distanced Church Reflections on Doing Church Online

Heidi A Campbell, Editor

The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online Edited by Heidi A Campbell Editorial Assistance by Sophia Osteen All essays remain the property and under the copyright of their respective authors.

(cc) 2020 BY-NC-SA This Creative Commons license lets others remix, adapt, and build The Distanced Church: Reflections on upon this work non-commercially, as long as they credit this original Doing Church Online work and license their new creations under the identical terms. Derivative works may not be sold for profit.

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Digital Religion Publications An Imprint of the Network for New Media, Religion & Digital Culture Studies

(7) (6) (5) (4) (3) (2) (1) Heidi Campbell A Introduction 3 Connection Trumps Technology Turning Flavor the of into Month Staple Diet TheDistanced Church Age Digital the into Transitions Live AcquaintancesGone are Analog When Digitally Friendship Deep Facilitating The ChallengesOnline IndianCountry of in The Unspectacular Pastor: Live In Person and God Equips the Called

Lessons from the Online Trenches: Trenches: Online the from Lessons - Streamsthein Digital Desert: Reflections on Parish USA ND, Priest, Episcopal Floberg, John Switzerland Geneva, Federation World Lutheran Danielsson, Svanur Arni Bogle, Albert Newfoundland, Canada Canada Newfoundland, JoanneMercer, Anglican Parish of Twillingate,

Zach Zach USA MI, P Evoy, Steve USA TX, Church, Episcopal Thomas St Elbert, Aneya W

Lambert, Restore Restore Lambert,

astor of Wolverine Free Methodist Church, Church, Methodist Free Wolverine of astor Church of Scotland, UK Scotland, of Church 12 Table of Contents of Table 19 Going Online Going

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During a Pandemic Gettingto Back Normal ThroughoutChurchWorld theHoly the Acclaims You Being Benedictine Online Grief, Awareness and Blessing IsChurchfor Your Ready Social Distancing? Four Lessons I’ve Learned 34 Pandemic of Time The DistancedChurch: ReflectionsChurch Doinga Online in on Corona Pandemic Digital Normal – New the is ChurchThe 29 Zoom Charism of

UK Clowne and Barlborough Taylor, Bryony Catherine Wybourne, Holy Trinity Monastery, UK UK Monastery, Trinity Holy Wybourne, Catherine USA Christ, of Church United Schaper, Donna USA TX, Church, Episcopal Philip’s St. Perry, Nandra Shepherd, Troy Sweden Sweden, of Church Silverkors, David USA Christ of Church United Broadway Piazza, Michael Germany Rhineland, the in Church Evangelical Reimann, Peter Ralf Chur Patience, Rodger

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Life The DistancedChurch: Pragmatism, Creativity Rhythms of and The BiggestChallengeChurches for this Time at Church Online TheDistanced Church COVID19 Crisis Enabling, ExtendingDisrupting and Religionthe in Early Faith of Community the Hope An InclusiveChurch Community Digital a Age in churchestoday? of newly the teach religion digital of history can What Reformation?and Media New New a What Religious Groups Need to ConsidertoWhattoTrying Religious Groups Do When Need

Theology: and Religion Digital of Scholars from Wisdom 55 - StorytellingCorona: Foster Pastors How the Age of in Heidi Campbell, A TexasA&MUniversity, USA Tim Hutchings, Universit Angela Williams

Stephen College Garner, Laidlaw John Dyer,Dallas Theological Seminary, USA Pete Philips, University of Durham, UK Durham, of University Philips, Pete Germany Wuerzburg of University Luthe, Swantje & Nord, Ilona UK University, Metropolitan Manchester Lewis, Bex Research Reflections on Doing Religion Online Religion Doing on Reflections Research 49

Gorrell, Baylor University,TX, USA

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for studies. Now, we are in the midst of a crisis and a scale of of scale a and crisis a of midst the in are we Now, studies. for - streams in the Digital Desert: Reflections on Parish Transitions Transitions on Reflections streams in Digital the Desert: Parish consider as they shape their online presence. Overall, I suggest that pastors need to think carefully before they This essay provides readers with readers provides This some essay - 19, will shape us for many years to to years many for us shape will 19, into the Digital Age Joanne Mercer Joanne - 7 -

about the - term planning planning term questions to must stream.

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Reflections on Doing Church Online “church.” of expressions contemporary and education, theological of models internet), film, (media, communication and Her research interests include (but arenot limited to) theology Canada. Newfoundland, Central from educator theological and The Rev’dDr. Joanne Mercer TheDistanced Church

is Anglican an priest, theologian,

funerals each year, regularly filling thefunerals 134 Y New of Diocese the of practices Church High the by Formed Episcopalians. the were west trip the made who Oneidas of party first 1822.The in Wisconsin to years old. It was founded in New York State in 1702 andmoved Apo Holy the of Church g education, enjoying breakfasts after church church after breakfasts enjoying education, g mornin Sunday and worship for gathering around revolves life whose group elderly afairly congregation, are Episcopal Like average we the reservation. the within cemetery largest the is ours and Church,” parish. We perform between one between perform We parish. the of “members” themselves consider would who community tomore than half of the familiesthe in larger Oneida connected is Apostles Holy However, Sunday. a on worshippers numb today congregation the nuns, Episcopal of orders two and deacons, Oneida two priests, two Oneida clergy, diocesan and missionary by years 200 last the for over cared and Lac, du Fond of bishops early the of worship Catholic reach to share the rich tradition of Christianworship in Throughout the World the Holy Church Acclaims You While While home, simple social media tools have broadened our attention more narrowly onhabits of daily prayer at

limits ongathering in person have focused our stles, The Oneida Mission, about is 300 Patience Rodger - ork, nourished by the Anglo the by nourished ork, third and one and third - 8 -

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- 24

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ida ida One the in elders for benefit wonderful a There’s service. of out or disconnected are directory parish our in numbers phone the of third a nearly that is separated are we while faced have we challenge communication frustrating most The m as worship Sunday usual their from colleagues and people lay who are facing the same isolation five my shared also have I home. at Prayer) Evening and (Morning Office Daily the pray to learning those for years the over created Prayer Common of Book a home take parishio encourage to been has Reconciliation, of Sacrament the and care, pastoral business, parish for phone by available being beyond pandemic, of time this in focus pastoral My Lac. du Fond of diocese the for bishop a of ordination every has It parish. the visits bishop the whenever and practice HolyApostles. at It sung Easter, is at on Christmas Eve, Deum Day, will film we men of two the parish singing the canticle Te (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLwNrZ8OD_c Forward Movement ( Movement Forward from resources using Friday Good and Thursday Maundy on and will befilming a “Holy Hour” video for personal devotions als we have videos, worship Sunday and Prayer Morning daily to In addition video. worship Sunday Palm the saw she because book prayer a and palms up pick to came granddaughter, her with attends who elder an parishioner, Another nee he what just are videos the said has he and page, our follow to order in time first the for

in the Oneida language, which may be the signature signature the be may which language, Oneida the in ners in their private prayer lives. I have urged them to to them urged have I lives. prayer private their in ners o created video a of the Lenten Stations of the Cross - part Yo part www.forwardmoveme uTube series called “Daily Office Basics” ded while he’s on the road. road. the on he’s while ded

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Reflections on Doing Church Online Good Book Club ( Club Book Good morning Bible study.We will once participating again be the in Sunday for Zoom using try to plan also We access. computer will makeourFacebook videos available to residents without nursi the at staff on man young a with connection new a forged has deacon our however, side, positive the On eager to give Zoom a try. a Zoom give to eager surprisingly are elders the of some and before, twice studies Club Book Good these enjoyed have Parishioners Season. Easter the during together Matthew of Gospel the read will phone. their lose they time every change numbers their means also that But one. need they anytime phone cell a get can they means that Nation TheDistanced Church Church. Episcopal the in ministry American Native oldest the Wisconsin, Bay, Green near Reservation Indian Oneida the on Apostles Holy the of Church at vicar is currently and hasbivocational also been a minister the Ep in he years, 25 For technologies. academic and success student Oneida. of center the in Church Stone the in pews familiar our to return more once we when even resources, media social simple these of many Episcopal worship Oneida. in believe I will continue we to offer shar to reach our broadened at home, simplemedia social tools like Facebookhave prayer daily of habits on narrowly more our attention focused have faith”) in “sheltering calls Charleston Steven bishop While lim (www.eab.com Rodger Patience EAB MemberDirector at Faculty a is and its on gathering in person (or what Choctaw Episcopal Episcopal Choctaw what (or person in gathering on its ), working with higher education partners on on partners education higher with working ),

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Reflections on Doing Church Online But Palm Sunday found me in a much more joyful mood about about mood joyful more much a in me found Sunday Palm But losses. those grieving still not I’m say can’t I Eucharist? of the dra dark the into move possibly we could How matter)?! that for palms, (or procession a without all, after Sunday, Palm is What despairing. been have would I #1, Sunday Zoom been Sunday last Had needed fun. - much some and prayer, daily business, for also t bu worship, for just not Zoom: via gathering been have We sanctuary. old beautiful our in gathering been not have Philip’s St. of — immediately starting worship public for doors our closing be would we that bishop our from text the got I when where serve I non a as parish rural the Philip’s, St. for Sunday big a it’s circumstances, normal Under Sunday. Palm was Sunday past This TheDistanced Church 13 March Friday, Since now. weeks four for circumstances” of Diocese the in Here different. obviously was Sunday Palm this But of year, and a dramatic reading of the Passion. the of reading dramatic a and year, of time this only sung hymns favorite procession, Palm boisterous a way: same the Sunday this celebrated have we churches, Digital platforms can help declining rural churches grow

Texas, we have not been under “normal “normal under been not have we Texas,

ma of Holy Week without the spiritual nourishment nourishment spiritual the without Week Holy of ma The Charism of Zoom Church Zoom of Charism The - stipendiary priest. Lik Nandra Perry and nurture their - 9 -

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Go closet. linen our ransacked gleefully daughter our and he sermon, my on touches finishing the put I As husband. my said this,” got “I t moment that just until realized having not service, the before hour an than less panic a in myself found I that happened it how is That week. following the in up coming tasks other of lot a had I because least not background, virtual a use to been had pl My homes. our into entry Jesus’s of honor in squares Zoom individual our out decking for responsible be each would we Sunday, Palm on church our around process not could we since that decided had we #3), Sunday (Zoom before Sunday The Sunday forSt. 2019 Philip’s, Sunday Palm 2020 exemplifies all hopePalm I Sunday 2021 as looksmore much like PalmAs home. from along sang and palms, our waved mics, our muted we keyboard, electric As ourpianist struckup “All Glory Laud two. and or Honor”pet on her a included square every Almost procession. their in golf clubpalm. for a On a wielding was Midwest) the from us joining visitor (a Another hat. red fun a wearing was One improvisations. other’s each at laugh to began we one, by one on logged parishioners As home. our around shrubs different from were “palms” all holding we and themselves for backdrop bandana a fashioned had Britt and Ruby stole. a of lieu in neck my around scarf winter red a with and feet bare in and jeans over but surplice, and cassock my wearing was I napkins. red checkered with festooned possible even just a just even possible was anticipated ever have I would than virtually worshipping hat none of our family laptops supported virtual backgrounds. backgrounds. virtual supported laptops family our of none hat - time found me seated in front of a red(ish) tablecloth tablecloth red(ish) a of front in seated me found time

few weeks prior. weeks few

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an an 27

Reflections on Doing Church Online Monday professor college a I am tools. digital from much benefit to rural too and small, too old, too was congregation our that you told have would I ago, weeks Four surprise. happiest) (and first the is all at change to able been have we That pandemic. of time 21 simplyon with getthebusiness of becoming salt andthe light in and pews our in people of numbers declining the about hands our wringing stop can we perhaps this, know we that Now chur the then change, sudden to adapt can ours like communities heard aboutorganized religion 20 in years.If even traditional I’ve news best single the is unique from far is story our That weekend. single a of space the in that just did 70) over of (many congregation our in person single every when surprise, my Imagine software. conferencing “sophisticated” such master then and download to parishioners my ask - pre However, better — forever changed been have we ways the TheDistanced Church

accessibleourparishioners to with chronic illness and church makes it importantly, most Perhaps ones. younger an night at driving Zoom great isequalizer. a It allows olderparishioners to avoid that out turns It space. traditional our in worship Sunday to supplements these offer to struggled have we churches, small mid offering byover 50% and also helped us succeed for the first time at attendance morning Sunday our increased has Zoom normal.” to back “go things when us for like look might this what about conversation the having begun already we’ve Philip’s, St. At st

century. ch is healthier and more resilient than we have believed. believed. have we than resilient more and healthier is ch — - Friday and have l Friday and by the experience of doing church digitally during this this during digitally church doing of experience the by

week prayer, socials, and bible study. Like many many Like study. bible and socials, prayer, week

pandemic it would never have occurred to me to to me to occurred have never would it pandemic d requires a lower time commitment from from commitment time lower a requires d ong used Zoom professionally. professionally. Zoom used ong

and largely for the the for largely and

them them next. is c the charism the is This charitable. and creative, adaptable, more us made has It play. holy is best its at worship that us reminded has church Zoom perfect. camera from far are we when especially) (maybe even together, common prayers, the W is means that what us, For community. is best do and most need we What chalice. shared a and bread physical than more is It music. great and sanctuary historic a than more is Philip’s St. som congregation our taught has worship Episcopal of traditional accoutrements the all without doing of season this think I space, physical beautiful our to returning to forward I look While us. for option an never was worship streaming live bandwidth, ate adequ have not does sanctuary our Because digitally. church doing from learned we’ve lesson important another is playfulness exemplifies, Sunday Palm about anecdote opening my As usual. as church local our like predict what that will lo to hard is It again. physically gathering are churches once relationships those continue might we how about conversations have to beginning are We community. our of part becoming all from locality. On the other, we’ve been joined in worship particular people our by in rooted more been never have we hand, one the On “us.” as counts who changed also has Church Zoom physically. us join cannot who worship Sunday t also and socials and meetings midweek disabilities.Nowthat all we have it, we’ll keep using Zoom for

over Texas and five other states. Many of them are are them of Many states. other five and Texas over ething important about our essential identity. identity. essential our about important ething ok like,I but feel certain it will not look ord preached, and the gift of being being of gift the and preached, ord

hurch will need for whatever whatever for need will hurch o include people in in people o include

Reflections on Doing Church Online effort. that supporting in tools digital of role the about excited newly is and communities struggling into bi and churches small sees She Texas. Hearne, in Church Episcopal - non a Nandra is Perry TheDistanced Church

- vocationalministers uniquely as positionedbreathe to life stipendiary priest serving St. Philip’s Philip’s St. serving priest stipendiary

when this pandemic this when empathetic and sensitive compassionate, more and kinder be can we Maybe normal. to returns never life hope “I say, to want always I almost me. in responses two of one stirs usually which normal,” to back get things “When saying, keep People skills. Companies have discovered that their employees really really employees their that discovered have Companies skills. cooking and recipes newfound our experience to often more s haven’t we friends with out eating weeks few a After home. at eating and cooking of tired are folks most me, Like them. to back get can we as soon as packed be will restaurants the I suspect located, is congregation my where City York New in example, For patterns. and habits new develop b has however, home, at time Our church. to return even might people and shops, coffee and bars, restaurants, favorite our to return will we aftermath, immediate the in that Isuspect Oh, more.” no is “Normal is, response con a as and renewal congregational teaching professor seminary a as capacity my In response. prophetic and pastoral my probably That’s rich.” the as care health same the deserve and need society our in marginalized and poor the that understand will Is “getting back to normal” going to be ablessing or a een,I suspect soon we will be invitingover them Getting Backto Normal - enforced isolation has ended. May ended. has isolation enforced sultant with mainline churches, my my churches, mainline with sultant Michael Piazza Michael - 10-

een long enough for us to to us for enough long een curse for your church? for your curse

be we

Reflections on Doing Church Online accelerated. insist on “returning to normal,” our extinction will be greatly macheck COVID before Long dinosaurs. of practice archaic theirbills electronically.Writing paper checksquaint, is the pay to how out figure to having are too, they, so homes, their bil their pay still who members the pandemic, this During giving. electronic recurring for up everyone sign to plan comprehensive a to campaign pledge annual an from shift the make to begun had already we that fortunate is congregation Our things when did ever they than crisis this in for cared more feel members Many week. every another one on in checking and calling by care pastoral for responsibility assumed has congregation The hour. coffee w attending far from contributing and again once worshipping are transience modern our of diaspora the of Members person. in been had it what quadruple is attendance worship virtual and person, were ever they than attended better much been have classes formation spiritual online our church, urban very small, our In clergy. to even sense, more making is learning distance they can be taughtonline. Peoplehave acquired new skills, and My seminary is evaluating my fall classes by ho virus. the than enduring more is change this that recognize will industry every enough, soon normal,” to “return to try we as rebound a be will there Although eateries. many gradually will beeliminated as can and will work fromhome, expensive so office space TheDistanced Church

ls with checks have run outof stamps and been confined to - flung places. Young people from as far away as England are as England away far fromplaces. as flung people Young ny households still wrote was to the church. If we we If church. the to was wrote still households ny orship and then joining in the post the in joining then and orship

were “normal.”were

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in in few congregations, it may be. For most, however, it however, most, For be. may it congregations, few a for and, thing, good a as this interpret may Americans times.” interesting in “live us we that for proverb wishes A Chinese fatal. prove may resistance that however, case, this In made. ever change most the among are leadership its and church the because though, rare, are communities and even exploit,new cultural realities. Those faith to, adapt will thrive that Churches society. for normal” “new the implicationsthe of what will be to attention paying are They it. for retooling are and future the seen have congregations Many habits. church their overwhelm instincts self as quickly very pass will that but friends, with gathering by risk at lives their put to ever than reluctant more be theology. Older people, the life inane and worship done poorly with disillusioned more even be have faith of people Young happening. isn’t It were. things way the to back get to waiting time, their biding are churches our and be short normal” will accelerate to the “return because greatly will that pandemic, this of wake the In decades. sev for closing or merging been have churches Mainline will be too late. it institutions, moribund to obvious become trends and habits new these time the by and forever, changed has inexplicable something that notice even won’t They usual. as business to restaurants likely will breathe a sigh of relief and rightback go and churches normal” to “return things when Unfortunately, will not be. The heat of the sun melts wax and hardens clay. clay. hardens and wax melts sun the of heat The be. not will

discovered new sources of spiritual nourishment and will will and nourishment spiritual of sources new discovered

others. Oh, they will return en masse to see their their see to masse en return will they Oh, others.

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Reflections on Doing Church Online . outreach transgender and bisexual, gay, lesbian, predominantly a with church Christian liberal largest world’s the becoming while compassion relentless and extravagan of faithChristianity as a Hope Dallas, in Texas, made religious history by reclaiming of Cathedral the dean, later and pastor senior as leadership courageous his of years 23 During advocate. justice social Piazza Michael Dr. Rev. us. save can even God do I then “normal,” to back get to is plan only our If 8:28). (Romans good our for it work to able be well may God adaptive, - COVID TheDistanced Church

19 is not a good thing, but, if churches are agile and and agile are churches if but, thing, good a not is 19

is a spiritualis a visionary, author, and t grace, radical inclusion,

ubt ubt decreasing. is membership church not relevantmostoftheir in members’ daily lives. Overall, are but given a as taken are Churches life. parish in participating activel without taxes church their pay people Most church. attend members the of percent three around Sunday, regular a On life. parish the of center the considered is worship morning Sunday residence. their to according parish a to belongs i an as baptism by obtained is membership church people, most For Union. European the by recognized public law — of corporations as organized are Germany in churches Most same when thepandemic over. is the be not will church and tremendously, church the changed has pandemic corona the However, personal. and tentative of the in the of most necessary, since are generalizations some sake, brevity’s this when lockdown in still was Germany Digital is the New Normal – Normal New the is Digital pandemic, churches have grown digitally andlearned that As aconsequence of the lockdown due to the COVID - community andcommunion are more important than depth data are not yet available. Conclusions are are Conclusions available. yet not are data depth

they even have their own data own their have even they Coro Ralf Peter Reimann na Pandemic

Churches in Germany during the the during Germany in Churches - 11-

essay was written. For For written. was essay physical buildings. nfant.person A - protection laws laws protection - 19 y

Reflections on Doing Church Online organ player cover online streaming? to name just two of the the of two just name to streaming? online cover player organ the of contract work the Does license? broadcast a need church services to and sort out all possible legal implications discus to months take agility. The coronavirusunleashed crisis new vitality. a It used to however, it was truly amazingnew to creativity see a and situation; new the with well cope could parishes and pastors to brought be to had church the church; to go longer no could People principle. (“ home” at “Church irrelevant. become or days of matter in a digital become to had presence physical on a applicabl longer no were life church gatherings need to be abandoned. Church laws that regulated church physical and protected be to need parishioners that accepted generally was It lockdown. a into went country me this took COVID the of because notice prior without suspended were services church warning, Without pastoral care.digital The readinessmany of parishes minimal. is data own churches’ the to according illegal considered is WhatsApp, Germany, in service messenger widespread most The - face are encounters real whereas encounters, general feelingthat social media activities only lead virtual to Althoughthis somewhat is of oversimplificatio an premises. church on held activities on is focus the churches, most for but members, new attract to programs outreach have which presence digital strong a with congregations most of center the are they as essential, are buildings church setting, traditional this In TheDistanced Church

- protection laws and must not be used for counseling or or counseling for used be not must and laws protection asure voluntarily a week before Germany as a as before Germany aweek voluntarily asure

the members’the homes. Of course, not all of the Kirche von zu Hause von Kirche

s the necessity of streaming worship worship streaming of necessity the s

activities. Of course, there are are there course, Of activities. - 19 pandemic. Some churches churches Some pandemic. 19 e. A church that had relied relied had that church A e. ”) became the guiding guiding the became ”) to - n, there is a a is there n, face meetings. meetings. face -- Does the the Does

were still open. These non These open. still were that shops grocery village the in distributed and out printed devotiona offer or calls make and phone the on sit would pastors members, church to sent Old forgotten. not were online not are Even now, when most church activities are digital, people who members. church many to data church were There suit. followed everybody not course, Of Comm congregations invited their parishioners to the Holy protestant many So pandemic? a of circumstances adverse the in even them with be will he that God in trust and ways new go or all at communion celebrate Not days? within made be ite decisionshad defin to now but time, long a for dormant been have questions theological The communion? the over presiding clergy ordained without home at even Or online? communion have you Can Friday. Good and Thursday Maundy on celebrated example: important One life. church organize to regulations and guidance for asking of instead church being and church doing shift: culture a to led problems the by paralyzed be and problems legal possible all anticipate than rather t on focus To time. different a for made were that regulations with compliance strict a than important more become has people the to close be To legally. everything clearing fully without next the to Sunday one from services – questions legal many data of violation in them deemed they because pages Facebook their - - protection officers who advised church districts to close close to districts church advised who officers protection protection laws, even when it meant lo meant it when even laws, protection union,digitally. home or at

now c now

The Lord’s supper, traditionally traditionally supper, Lord’s The -

digital ideas also follow the pattern ls over the phone. Sermons were were Sermons phone. the over ls hurches started to stream their their stream to started hurches

- fashioned letters were were letters fashioned he needs of the people sing a connection connection a sing 32

Reflections on Doing Church Online follows the online service on a device. Church can also be a a be also can Church device. a on service online the follows An before. church attend not did who church to people bring unavailability of other activities. Nevertheless,online services the be might online church attend to reason One lockdown. the before was attendance church than online service mo that report often services their stream which churches available, yet are statistics definite no Although, television? national on broadcast a watching of instead digitally, Sunday on pastor their see also can people elderly community. Will parishes continueto a in based and local is church Therefore, church. local the from: comes stream the where is broadcast the of quality the than important more But church. local a from phone cell qualit whose Sunday every broadcast a offers television Public pews. empty of front in audience online an to preaching pastor the church, their from services their stream to efforts making are congregations Many diffe things Doing pandemic. COVID the of aftermath financial the to due closed be might buildings church some when crisis, the after out play will notion prayer and living their faith. It will be interestingto seehow this t but building, a to reduced longer no is church Being digitally. service a join can people how report they Now, held. be longer no could buildings church in services because canceled were services church that report would defi a brings often crisis A are. they where people reach and out go space: digital the in used TheDistanced Church

other observation is that quite often, more than one person person one than more often, quite that is observation other

rently also makes one see what is essential. essential. is what see one makes also rently y is far superiorvideo to a stream from a ning moment. Initially, the media media the Initially, moment. ning o people coming together in in together coming people o

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- 19 (WACC Europe). (WACC Region European Communication, Christian of Association t of President Vice and Rhineland the in Church Currently,Internethe is Commissionerof the Evangelical evangelisch.de. portal the with pastor a and Germany in theology. web was He team a leader the Evangelical in Church Ralf Peter Reimann of crisis. time a in members their to again relevant themselves make and out reach to learned have churches changed; has attitude the important, more even But digitally. grown have churches but limited very is presence Physical changed. has life Church they take place again in the churches? the in again place take they when services church into way their find online tried interaction COVID the After participatory. service. the in included and online posted are intercessions Personal themselves. expressing to threshold inhibition the lowers communication Internet open. and active more much are people the Lord’s Prayer. When comesdigital it to services, it seems that the say and creed, the recite they liturgy, the in responses and limited.Parishioners sing, they give the appropriate Inmost services, participationof the congregation is regulated attract new new attract to was crisis coronavirus the before livestreaming favor of in argument One families. and individuals connected of network pandemic is over? is pandemic

people people

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has studied computer science and and science computer studied has

will churches continue streaming after the the after streaming continue churches will

Digital services have become become have services Digital - 19 crisis, will the formsof

he Word Word he now, now, 33

Reflections on Doing Church Online

TheDistanced Church

sites religiou and many breakdowns, national multiple the with Simultaneously, over. boil you makes it and pot, the to virus the Add “unelectable.” declared or ignored or invisible remain candidates Women matter. lives Black that hoarsely, repeat, positions.national Our original sinof racism require leadership civic and divisionplace to usprecarious all in clueless join young the sacrifice we which in shootings School along. came virus this before long devolve to begun world. People areeucharistically strung and dangerous a in lived we virus, the before Even love each other, for the most part, as pastor and people. and pastor as part, most the for other, each love We piety. strong a with church progressive a pastor I capacity. spiritual is mission life My prospered. and grew they which in communities their and people to difference a made that kind the congregations, flourishing in years forty over for pastor a been have I me. to important tremendously is ex an as not heart, my from speak I Here The Distanced Church: Reflections on Doing Church Online in a in Online Church Doing on Reflections Church: Distanced The This essay reflects the on tangible stresses faced many by amplifies these, as well as creates momentum towards momentum well creates as amplifies these, as notable spiritual andpractical shifts churches will churches pre churches Time of Pandemic from the Dolly Mama Dolly the from Pandemic of Time encounter andneed to adapt to in the future. s organizations have long been in survival survival in been long have organizations s -pandemic and how the current crisis Donna Schaper Donna - 12-

starving; the species had had species the starving;

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Reflections on Doing Church Online just like they podcast virtually the and to go gym virtually and they were too good for virtual worship will worship virtually, online.Theutility bills are also less.Thepeople tho who worship to lot parking a need don’t You is. it green how than Of course,online worship will prevail,other for no if reason meetings. trustees’ dysfunctional the and lot parking w the with bother not but congregation aged in their pajamas still and have primary a social group with their designs well as music, well - they will find meaningful, technology Now ago. decade a done have should they which merge, will congregations these Eventually, them. with virtually worship smaller congregations. They will invite smaller congregations to congrega Larger happen? will what So, send,how to video, and howto livestream. to how film, to how knows who “somebody” find to scrambling educational level and poo and level educational just S - mid church service” “full offering by culture its two the embraced also They technology. with early experiment to enough open and enough smart were They work. it make to enough early worship resourced and kinds t saw Megachurches many. - band a as pot boiling the into jumped worship Virtual property abandonmentor sale will only accelerate. congregati of pace the Corona, Queen under Now already. business of out are congregations mainline many meant have loss membership towards trends with along buildings, of maintenance deferred of stresses The mode. TheDistanced Church

unday.Mainline churches stayed trueto their class and –

at churches not their own. They will lovepraising God wrought and briefer meditations, pictures, pictures, meditations, briefer and wrought - pooed technology. Now they are are they Now technology. pooed he opportunity in technology of technology in opportunity he - based w based onal dissolution and and dissolution onal tions will do the work for

orship and the the and orship - orship online – online orship career family and family and career week instead of of instead week

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all

as as rentals are likewisepossible weekday and possible are chairs of setups different so pews the removing night, Wednesday a or Sunday a of day all place more than one congregation in one well worshipping congregations, Merging trend. a is trend a But day day another pray to enough long survive congregations individual women make this shift not all and men angrily boom. all Not people. on down look to pulpit the using to opposed fl the to go they means That “up.” of instead “down” preaching up end usually and pulpits in funny look just who women, are today clergy offline mainline, — people most to Daddy wagging finger booming voice, booming male, big, the feature also They blame. and shame exude pews People want relief from shame and blame – blame and shame from relief want People at. talked be to want don’t they interactivity; want People heads. our and souls our from and sanctuaries our th remove to need We obsolete. pew the rendered has experience spiritual that is argument My furniture. of kind outdated an as well as metaphor a as pews the I am writingbook a called RemovethePews.com The Spiritual Shifts become then will It day. any anyway, survive, to churches membership longer to sing. This shift will happen first short as a looking - third a in services dismal through sat and long so waited talk to their grandchildren virtually. They will wonderthey why in another way. in - term problem problem term -

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was ordained in 2008. He has been a parish parish a been has He 2008. in ordained was ifficult thing to give strong theological

k forward to learning more, more, learning to forward k tances. Although in many many in Although tances. r has been youth youth been has r

Reflections on Doing Church Online from you today? [awareness] today? you from away taken NOT experience coronavirus/this the has What 2. [grief] today? you from away taken experience) this add, would I (and coronavirus the has What 1. exploring: essay this ministry a time in of pandemic,I will use so this structure for on reflect to way helpful a it’s think I also pandemic. the of experience the on spiritually reflect to way helpful a this I found [blessing]” Cara, (Anam 2020)” toda you given experience coronavirus/this the has What 3. TheDistanced Church with quietly questions these with time some Spend Briggs. J.R. by posted recently was meditation “This reflection: this contained Ministriesthat Cara Anam called follow that I Facebookpage a on post a saw I UK, the in lockdown of two or week first the In Grief, A Grief,

God today. God have lost), awareness (whatwe are able to still do), This essay explores the experience of priest a UK grappling with ministry online during atime of and blessing (the new connections we are making). pandemic. It looks at three themes: grief(what we wareness, and Blessing Blessing and wareness,

Online During a Pandemic During Online

Bryony Taylor Bryony

15- –

The Experience of Ministry Ministry of Experience The

in the the in

y? y? • • • 1.

face? period? Blessing Blessing adapt? to us to available Awareness Grief

social acti social alone, their and involvement church in life one of is theirmain worshipping life). Manyof our congregation members also live our of centre the is this and Sunday every Eucharist a have (we ministry embodied sacramental our to challenge a and worship), lead to helping in skills their volunteer to reluctant often are people parishes, traditional are (ours worship mediate to priest the on reliance a family), with touch in keep to WhatsApp or Facebook use to mainly internet the use do ministry our in new context: lack of digital literac conducting in challenges of number a face I everywhere). has it (as parishioners our on impact big a had therefore, distancing, social of imposition and churches our of closure The ministry. commu these both serve to seek I pages). Facebook our through (mainly online us follow who those and church in – congregations two almost having as myself see I home. at internet the to access have proport large a and 65, of age the over are members congregation my of majority vast The newsletter. together a puts team that or administrator a have an not do I and church, the at staff paid only the am I community. of context the in work I Grief

–

what have we lost and what are the challenges we now now we challenges the are what and lost we have what

–

vities. what new blessings have we experienced during this this during experienced we have blessings new what –

what can we still do, what resources do we have have we do resources what do, still we can what

two small parishes in an former mining mining former an in parishes small two

those who attend Sunday services services Sunday attend who those ion of them do not use or or use not do them of ion y (those who who (those y nities my in

Reflections on Doing Church Online me because if it did go wrong, it didn’t really matter. I prerecord prerecord I matter. really didn’t it wrong, go did it if because me t doing so drops), connection internet your if example, (for wrong go often can it and many, for experience new a is streaming Live Sunday. a on livestreamingonly for a simple midweek Eucharist notices and i felt me, for turmoil, in currently is everything when unfamiliar something introduce To Facebook. of users basic are internet – in am I context the of because stage this at worship my for Zoom use to not on, early chose, I example, For context. our for work will what use also and have we what with work we that important is It online. work that worship of forms new create to trying are online church in happens what replicate to trying not are from there. It is the same when considering online wor work.neededI to start with the vocabulary to knew I going and work wasn’t that realised quickly I Estonian. into word for word sentence that translate to trying of process the through went then and , head my in English in say to wanted I sentence a having by began I year, a for there I lived when Estonian learning was first I When language. own its has it imagine can we then country, a as environment online the imagine we If immigrant prefer this terminology toof that digital nativedigital and myoffline life. resident am a I online, rather than a visitor. I in comfortable very I am that technolo digital of area the in worked I ordained, was I Before online. church the replicate to trying effectively were They YouTube. and Facebook on services church livestream to rushed priests many lockdown, UK the of stages early the In 2. TheDistanced Church

nappropriate. I made the decision to use Facebook Facebook use to decision the made I nappropriate.

Awareness the few members of the congregation who do use the the use do who congregation the of members few the gy and online learning. The online environment is one one is environment online The learning. online and gy

(White & Le Cornu, 2011). (White Le & he church notices live on Facebook worked for for worked Facebook on live notices church he

–

it blendsit almost seamlessly with

- based experience experience based ship. We We ship. –

we we through a church door church a through walking of barrier the or ridicule of fear without faith explore have in face in have ano offer an people online fact spaces that the Iidentified online, faith sharing into research previous my In 3. online. building our in doing be would we what reproduce to trying than rather building, o worship Sunday our in things include to tried have I home. at follow to people for video a as YouTube on posted are which services Sunday my online “this is the Lentiest Lent I have ever Lented!” Just as Lent Lent as Just Lented!” ever have I Lent Lentiest the is “this online pandemic began durin global the of experience our that coincidence no is it I think church. with and family with both connected them keeping in essential it finding now are mistrusted wholly be to something as technology saw previously who Those service. online our in intercessions our led and WhatsApp using voice her record to how learned member church elderly One worship. in part take can they that so technology new use to learning also are members Congregation alone. mornin say I normally, whereas sharing, am I podcast prayer daily the with engaging some responsibility for theirown discipleship. Many are take to forced been have congregations our that is Another (Ta availability in theirpocket on or the laptop front in ofthem ready our of because worship into toes their dipping are People them. on commented have and services livestreamed attend to begun have Facebook on activities church our of observers hit. pandemic coronavirus the since clearly phenomenon

ylor, 2016). This is one of the blessings we are seeing. seeing. are we blessings the of one is This 2016). ylor, Blessing - to - face settings, which gives them confidence to to confidence them gives which settings, face

nline that we would not be able to do in the the in do to able be not would we that nline g and evening prayer in my churches churches my in prayer evening and g g the season of Lent, one as wag put it

(Taylor, 2016). We have(Taylor, seen We this 2016).

nymity they do not do not they nymity

Casual Casual 44

Reflections on Doing Church Online

Sources peopleover the age of 65. of up made largely are congregations whose communities in Derbyshire in parishes social media consultant.She rector now a is of two small a as and technology learning of field the in worked Bryony 2014, in ordination Before Kingdom. United Diocese, Derby in Clowne and Barlborough of Bryony’d Rev Taylor Rector is midst of grief. the in blessings find and hope resurrection with experience this comesto an end with resurrection hope, so we will comeoutof TheDistanced Church 71/3049 https://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/ar 16(9). Retrieved from Monday First engagement. online for typology new A residents: White, Books. Grove York: Taylor, B. (2016). Sharing Faith Using SocialMedia 7). (p. New 154676844/10157050605831845/?type=3&theater https://www.facebook.com/AnamCaraMinistries/photos/a.474 AnamMinistries. Cara (2020, April 5). Retrieved from Cornu, A. (2011, September (2011, A. Cornu, Visitors 5). Le and and S. D.

the United Kingdom – Kingdom United the

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Reflections on Doing Church Online much use of it in 2003, and it enabled us to reach many more more many reach to us enabled it and 2003, in it of use much fe comparatively that fact the cheapness, its were internet the using of advantages The service. and nourishment • Providing • Showing kindness God of word the • Sharing • Prayer • Welcome follow: to tried we structure a provides and Christ welco be should guest every says Benedict St. • W • H • W by asking, by that, exercise might we how on together reflected we so Benedict, community. Hospitality is important an value theof Rule in St. — money little very and space physical much without community cloistered formed newly a in myself found I others, three with along In 2003, TheDistanced Church

ow ow hat hy

community, its rationale anddevelopment over 17 years. using the emerging technologies of the internet. We began began We internet. the of technologies emerging the using

The experience of online presence of small a cloistered can the Rule and the Gospel inform our online presence? online our inform Gospel the and Rule the can do we want to go online? go to want we do

are the advantages and disadvantages? and advantages the are

Being Benedictine Online Benedictine Being

a complete contrastto our previous Catherine Wybourne Catherine w religious communities making were

- 16-

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audio material and offered Live Chat at Chat Live offered and material audio and written provided We retreats. online for website another developed also We up. keep to prepared be must community a energy and time of commitment a means online Going get. we emails of number the increased enormously also has that but th to broadcasting just not dialoguing, people, with engagement Again, content. unsuitable delete and identify to “policing” regular requires latter This to. add can people which day, the for intentions of list expanded an includes tweet is always prayer a intention first Our accounts. Facebook and Twitter up set we In 2009, wished. who anyone to open meetings, online interactive some and YouTube; on videos few a monastery; the in as day by day read Benedict, St. of Rule the of text the of version audio an including long, minutes three about monastery confines. Next, short podcasts,none more than the within live not do who but community a with associated forum, aimed specifically Benedictine at oblates — dedicated a came Then nuns. the with engagement of sense a people give to and day the of events the and life Christian the on reflections share to blog a added We on. so and life, monastic about information more prayer, requesting for forms avail became they as elements First, built we a website, which to added we interactive them. for aside set is time much how to approach disciplined a is there unless community a overwhelm can virtual, or real Guests, with. interacted th over control some maintain to us ensured a specifically Benedictine presence online, and allowed also It lived. we where village the in could we than people

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Reflections on Doing Church Online experience of having malicious code injected into our blog, for for blog, our into injected code malicious having of experience Our sites. our of security the to attention more give to had have we known, better become have we As monastery. the entering about thinking those and oblates own our for conferences us to continue we although meetings, online open in the light of what is technically assessed be to have now online do we what expanding for plans our All do. to able are we what on has that impact an what Herefo rural to moved we 2012 in but broadband, good to access had we while well worked this All project. community the of expense the at following personal a cultivating or nuns” “celebrity be to wanting of danger a is there that aware intense for very small a cloistered comm — stories” “vocation share nor So, have we deliberately chosennot to livestream our liturgy sharing. our to limits on agree must we that decided also We compl to shortcuts no are There scrutiny. proper maintaining and support giving also but person that in trust of amount immense an placing means That committees. bedevil that rows of kind the avoid and cohesion provide to outreach, online re be should person one that decided We today. us occupy that those still are first at identified we dangers The reconsidering. now are we decision a website, main the from blog our separated also We others. our of one with it wor now are and site the down took we sued, being avoid To did. he said he copyright the hold not did who someone from be to out turned used we images the of one Unfortunately, support. email as well as times, stated TheDistanced Church

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journey a spiritual as Palmer, J. P. (1983/1993). Press. MIT MA: Cambridge, Foundation. MacArthur T. Catherine Repor century 21st the for education Media culture: participatory Robison, (2009). J. A. and K., Clinton, M., Weigel, R., Purushotma, H., Jenkins, culture participatory Jenkins, (1992). H.

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Teaching to transgress: Education as the the as Education transgress: to . (1994). Teaching . Grand Rapids: Baker Academic. Baker Rapids: . Grand y.

Always On: Practicing Faith in a a in Faith Practicing On: Always of author the is Textual Textual . New York: Routledge. York: New . . New York: Routledge. York: New . . New. York: HarperCollins. Confronting the challenges of of challenges the Confronting www.angelagorrell.com . Memories, hopes, and conversations: conversations: and hopes, Memories,

(2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & & Rowman MD: Lanham, ed.). (2nd She gives lectures and leads workshops workshops leads and lectures gives She To know as we are known: Education Education known: are we as To know poachers: Television fans and and fans Television poachers:

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Theology that makes a difference a makes that Theology world: the of life the Volf,M. and M. (2019). Croasmun, For Morehouse. York: New time our in church the of shape new The world: the changing TheDistanced Church

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Joining God, remaking church, and and church, remaking God, Joining . Grand Rapids: Brazos. Rapids: Grand .

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Reflections on Doing Church Online Bible apps and games, digital expressions of grief, and religious religious and grief, of expressions digital games, and apps Bible studied also has He 2017). (Routledge, Online Church Creating as published was and 2006, in began churches online into Tim Tim connection andexperimentation. They cando so again today. amplification, of goals three the pursuing by distance, Digital communitieshave flourishedfordecades spite in of new. all not are face they challenges the that churches their media an reassure can Christians researchers and religion of academic crisis, this of depths the In encouragement. and hope of message a as essay short see this to reader the I invite society. a and community a as losses our mark hel to bereaved, the with connected stay to rituals and practices new invent to need will churches their and Christians experimentation. and connection for need increasing an find will we however, on, wears pandemic to an audience who funerals cannot attend.broadcast As the to livestreaming using by example for amplification, been has and support the bereaved inthis context. Partof the answer large and pastors that discovery the been has pandemic the of consequences painful most the of One today. heaven to messages so, from spirit photography in the 19 the in photography spirit from so, do to media new to turned often have Mourners living. the as well as dead the with bonds our reinforce and continue to ways possibilities.human Asbeings cometerms to with loss, seek we new of horizon a opens and necessary and normal real, is what of sense our shakes grief of experience the because media, TheDistanced Church

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else they should consider. There has always bee always has There consider. should they else what about more much to think start will digital, of the taste a had having churches, that hope I but crisis, a in applauded be to is online manageable most and easiest the is content whatever Putting equal.) created are platforms all (Not purpose. that for fit was platform whatever in confidence up building and was, toes in, fully or immersing themselves the increasingly in mobil e biblically “spaces.” #digidisciple A is someone who seeks to live out their both in values same the by live we whether considering Christian presence seriouslyonline both offlin and our taking living, Christian and service, prayer, worship, follow Jesus grow and their in faith Christ in through the Bible, ( #digidisciple for The Big Bible Project matter. developedalso conceptIn the of 2010I the a 24/7 is faith and 24/7, is interaction and content online to Access online. is many, for that, and are,” they where need be incarnational(2015) says, we “to Smith As means. digital through possible made be may inclusion wider how and sermon, Sunday the beyond and building the beyond like, looks church their what think to ministries encourage I would online. church of s expression different 2009) flawed”(Livingstone, as judged is communication mediated which against ideal the remains it somehow inflexible, and com “ says, As Livingstone replacement. its than rather church, offline from different face,the butdigital offers possibilities and limits that are online forms of church, with fears that it will replaceto face http://archive.bigbible.uk/ munication can… be angry, negligent, resistant, deceitful deceitful resistant, negligent, angry, be can… munication . Hutchings’s (2017) research identifies a wide range of of range wide a identifies research (2017) . Hutchings’s - informed Christian faith online, whether dipping their their dipping whether online, faith Christian informed Even though …face though Even ). Beyond Sunday, disciples seek to to seek disciples Sunday, Beyond ). - to

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Reflections on Doing Church Online products of a of products be should content] [online our then Spirit, his through himself reveals and communicates God which by means “the are we message, but at times, online or offline, an overfocus on on overfocus an offline, or online times, at but message, the to barrier a become can graphics or communication quality poor or platform, the with problems that true It is offline. or online “performance” a become to and focus the become to service Sunday the for easy It’s discipleship. digital of space 24/7 the to service Sunday the beyond focus the move will we how think to need more crisis, coronavirus the of time this In messages! Bible broadcasting indwelled by his Spirit Byers space. digital the of nature interactive and TheDistanced Church o of stories the to Listening challenge. a church physical accessing found who those including academy, the and pulpit, the pew, the from voices of range a engaged we Project, Bible Big the Within online. In 2001- services. offline than services streaming stories are already emerging of larger numbers attending Anecdotal engage: and connect to opportunities new offers digital The years. many for barrier a been have buildings others for spaces, “thin” even sacred, are these though and ministers, some from building the inside back getting on focus a been ( (wher Chapel Park Vaughan as short, broadcasts any keep so on, concentrate to harder be can content Online 2018). (Lewis, communities faith in build to seek we relationships the from or itself, message the from indi performance, https://www.instagram.com/vaughanparkchapel/ 2002 I

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undertook a project on accessibility and usability usability and accessibility on project a undertook vidually or corporately, can remove attention ” (2013), not that this means” (2013), that this 24/7 not thers really opened my eyes. Little Little eyes. my opened really thers e I’m writing this) has been doing doing been has this) writing I’m e

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24/7 connection with friends online, including spiritual and and spiritual including online, friends with connection 24/7 treatments other and — that face find would and 2019) in cancer metastatic incurable (and cancer breast with diagnosed be I would 2017, in that I know did the ri the is tea of cup a when and message, quick a as such use, to space Batts Sara Rev. As present. may media digital that opportunities restof the week, and how they might dur make thecommunity most a as of and the Sunday, a on church, do may they how about crisis current the from take will they lessons what about think and with), connect to like would they who those and (current congregations their to listen hold, they that thi to churches encourage to like I would 2020). with isolation,hasbeen also sharingmuch wisdom (Barlow, long has who Marlow, Tanya 2020). (Bowler, us alongside walks she as vulnerability a demonstrating dealing with cancer it as appliesto t from learned has she what about posts Instagram daily sharing is scholar, religious a Bowler, pandemic, current the During limits (Thompson, 2016). Christ to thosehurting,” who are whilst also being aware of its of body “the be to technology utilize better can communities moretobe inclusive (Lewis, 2019). Thompson As writes,faith opportunities us offers digital the if and how think to need we and illnesses), chronic other (and cancer” has Christ of “body — support practical into overflowing key, became support, mental

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Reflections on Doing Church Online

#PremDac19. Retrieved from from Retrieved #PremDac19. Lewis, Bowler, http://archive.bigbible.uk/ from Retrieved ). (n.d. Project. Bible Big Sources On. Carry and Calm Keep discipleship, childrendigital a in age,theofficial and history of digital on written has She experience. of years 20 than the with engage people helping about passionate is Lewis Bex Dr. interactions. physical and digital of blend a through 24/7 other each support can community whole the how think so space, interactive TheDistanced Church Surveillance Society & space. public formation,mission: and Practising Christian faith a surveilled in Routledge. London: media, and new community, Ritual, online: Hutchings, church (2017). T. Creating age. Byers, (2013).A. cancer from survivor cancer a Lessons from Lewis,B. Cox, & (2019). J. Digital theology: The big C

digital world positive a in field way, a inhas whichmore she

Eugene, OR: Cascade Books. Cascade OR: Eugene,

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/us/kate

- B. (2018). Social media, peer surveillance, spiritual coronavirus.html

K. ( K. 2020, April 4). How to live in the face of fear: fear: of the in face 4). 2020, live to April How

Theomedia: The media of God and the digital digital the and God of media The Theomedia: .

Retrieved Retrieved Times. York New The .

16(4), 517- 532.

- bowler -

Marlow, during COVID (2020). T. Honest God to e Livingstone, (2009).S. premdac19 https://www.slideshare.net/drbexl/digital world digital a in Christ of Body Thompson,D. (2016). virtual The SPCK. London: guide, practical and theological A ministry: and mission Smith, (2015). P. Online https://www.instagram.com/v from Retrieved post]. [Instagram (n.d.). Chapel. Ruatara https://www.premierdigital.info/awards Re Conference. and PremierDigital Awards.(2020, April 10). PremierDigital Awards https://tanyamarlow.com/honest Hammond Paul with

xpectations, xpectations, . Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press. Abingdon TN: Nashville, .

challenging realities challenging trieved from from trieved

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god Cambridge:Polity Press.

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Reflections on Doing Church Online virus that threatens the church and prevents it from praising praising from it prevents and church the threatens that virus pastorsbe literally to seem rebelling against corona, againstthe and COVID and The Church the of Actions the on Corona of Effects the on Observations Hope TheDistanced Church the at is which Despite this, the pastors are still present the in “holy” room, visitors, is opened virtually. for closed is which room, worship The members. church with filled were rows the if as services or devotions film to camera, the with church the of view the imitate to easiest be to seems it time, first the for service YouTube a celebrating are who pastors many For media. the in least at faith, in representatives as clergy, the officials, the presents publicly that church of a createsis Th out. the image stand particular in pastors individual that noticeable is it view, of point our From beginning. the only is that and media, digital via shared are sermons churches, on hang verses Bible with printed banners “Large “hope: the to according categorized be can country the throughout congregations church individual of reactions that was impression first Our stage. This essay focuses onfostering measures adopted against the coronavirus (SARS coronavirus the against adopted measures - Storytelling in the Age of Corona: How Pastors Foster the the Foster Pastors How Corona: of Age the in Storytelling

- 19) also affected church life in Germany at an early early an at Germany in life church affected also 19)

same time forbidden for the congregation. Some Some congregation. the for forbidden time same believers” while church is going online. Ilona Nord Luthe Swantje Nord and Ilona Community of Faith of Community

keywords “consolation” and and “consolation” keywords - 23-

the “priesthood of all

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of counseling (K counseling of reasons for churches in assembly on ban strict the criticize that Germany in voices prominent are There aged. the and elderly prolifer a of fears away take to wants which habitus, pastoral more a show They voices. other also are there However, faith. of world the namely certain a call way to give powerto a world thatopposed, is solit The appear: blunders stylistic some sharpened, is perception this If God. ministry with Christians effectively as a share they that ensure to is present at pastors of function important most the opinion, our In 136). p. 2020, (Karle, another” one with share Christians all that priesthood one the th of concretion professional the is ministry pastoral “The congregation. the for assumed have they function the congregation: the in thing one only by speaking, others” (Karle,p. Pastors distinguished, 135). 2020, are strictly t on pass can person Christian but faith alone qualifiesperson a for pastoral witness; every ministry, particular a not that means “This preaching. of form the priesthoodofbelievers all normative is a criterion for any especially and Lutheran Protestant understanding, to According - Heinrich (Bätzing, Conference Bishops' Orthodox the and Germany in Church Protestant the of Council the Conference, Bishops' Catholic the of release press joint the seque a as speak, to so act, pastors The throughministry; the almost an ministerial identity emerges. communicate onemany. to In return, authority is instead generated but interaction, mediated in interested less be to a into lapse pastors many Augoustinos, 2020). äßmann ary,holy recitationbiblical of the texts is a in ation of massive deaths, especially among the the among especially deaths, massive of ation

, 2020). The impression arises that that arises impression The , 2020). kind of information mode. They seem he Word of God and pray for for pray and God of Word he e one preaching ministry and and ministry preaching one e s possible. s Bedford as statements such to l - Strohm, & & Strohm,

this this 67

Reflections on Doing Church Online

and others ( others and people actively cooperate andpromote issues for themselves (empowerment it is to help people become subjects of their own life story Pastoral Care gains the insightelementarily into how important Schlag/Suhner,Müller, 2020; 2020). (cf. prosumers theological become people Here upon. reflected and on passed are beliefs religious that way a such in happen to this for uncommon not is It networks. community are which life, everyday or worship to contributions of form the in be can faith community. faith impulses lively, for a active plurilogically and communicating with volunteers, work volunteers, with together musicians), church and teachers education (religious limelight,but also to ensure that all religious professions the in bishops and pastors put to just not is this do to way social med of field the in online go now churches When communities. discourse networked of game the in representation of modes relationships to themselves andthe to world, well as their as co and producers neither online nor offline. They are, at are, They offline. nor online neither offers, (digital) of consumers only not are people because to (Nord/Palkowitsch individual Christia between communications personal and communications institutional both including formats, media social in active being includes mainly pandemic coronavirus the during online Church Research Findings: Mediatization and Church TheDistanced Church

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Reflections on Doing Church Online Society (NAPTS). E (NAPTS). Society culture. a mediatized world,diversity/inclusion digitized and media interests: religion(s)media, and digital literacy and pedagogy in Evangelical Theology,University Wuerzburg. of Her research Ilona Nord (Domsgen, 2019) permeate both realities of life. of realities both permeate 2019) (Domsgen, ( it for expression own their finding by message ristian Ch the redefining longer important here, because empowerment because here, important longer no is offline or online place takes communication whether (community t for effects immersion show They analoguedigital and form.Social media visualize this process. in hope their communicate they it; offer but themselves, Paul Tillich (GermanEnglish). and E platform: Learning mourning. and mediatization care, pastoral media, and religion Christian interests: Research Wuerzburg. of Theology, University Chair of Religious Education, ( hope this embrace personally participate who those All resurrection. the of word the to authority high a give They hope. of stones the to impulse the motivating to leads that pastors two of competence theological #Hoardinghope shows this exemplary an in It way: is the ritual. and community, identity, authenticity, authority, categories the using online described be can religion how of exploration insightful an provided has (2013) Campbell Heidi TheDistanced Church wuerzburg.de Luthe Swantje She is also Vice President,NorthAmerican Paul Tillich is Professor Religious in Education, Institute of ), and not only online or online only not and ), .

is Scientificis Associate, Institute of Evangelical authenticity - Mail: ilona.nord@uni ). They do not keep the stone for for stone the keep not do They ). identity he creation of community community of creation he -

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prayer]. Retrieved from from Retrieved prayer]. the [During einzelne einzelne Käßmann,InMarch CoronaM. (2020, 27). Theology]. [Practical 7 LETh Karle, Theologie I. (2020). Praktische education] [Religious 8 LETh Domsgen,M. (2019). Religionspädagogik Kohlhammer. Culture] Funeral the in Communications Media Net: the on Grief and [Death Bestattungskultur der in Kommunikationen Mediale Netz. im Trauer a generatorformemories]. I. InNord T. and als Generatorfür Erinnerungen Routledge. York: new in practice religious Understanding Krise.pdf _2020/2020- https://dbk.de Luthe, S. (2016. Trauerarbeitonline offenhalten 2020/kaessmann https://www.ev (2013). (Ed.) H. Campbell, Sources Augoustinos. (2020). Retrieved from Retrieved (2020). Augoustinos. Bätzing, Heinrich

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Nord, I. and Palkowitsch and I. Nord, https://doi.org/10.23768/wirelex.So Medien [Art: Social Media]. WiReLex Online. Retrieved from context]. context]. community the in productivity theology about priesthood: Theologie [Resonance spaces for a livedtheology of the general Theologieproduktivität gemeindlichen im Kontext,Praktische [Qualitative network analysis] network [Qualitative Kindernetzwerke Werner, J. and Wehner, K. Stiehler, St. Günther, J. Nestmann, F. In: strategies]. coping and seeking - help childish capturing for instrument survey qualitative A co [Dresden Kindern von Bewältigungsstrategien - Hilfesuch der Erfassung zur Bewältigungsvignetten“ Stiehler Kultur und Gesellschaft Kirche, practical in theology» of «concept the on Reflections productivity: in der Praktischen Theologie [Life Theologieproduktivität. Überlegungen zum «Theologiebegriff» 11 55(1), Schlag, des Theologie gelebte eine für Resonanzräume (2020). S. Müller, TheDistanced Church

T. and Suhner, J. (2020). Lebensrelevante Lebensrelevante (2020). J. Suhner, and T. , S., Werner, and (2008). J. „Dresdner

- theology]. theology]. Gesellschaft und Kultur und Gesellschaft Kirche, in Praxis für Zeitschrift 16.

Praktische Theologie. Zeitschrift für für Zeitschrift Praxis in Theologie. Praktische

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Facebook page ( Facebookpage in a media a in presence continual its advertising/broadcasting religion offline rather but worship online to shift a not was worship mediatized Amazon Prime Video. This shift from offline wo and iPlayer, Netflix, of diet regular their them fed that devices same very the on watching many with experience worship a of consumers but experience worship the in partners not broadcas the through available made now public the for instruction or entertainment as worship of model the into playing and worshipped be only can locusof the worship, reinforcing the idea this that is where God a as building church the with church, from broadcast church, in filmed be to tended services These building. the in congregation a without but mass) a or meeting praise a it (be worship of acts livestreaming the UK in t was worship - rich format now available through online devices. he first port of call for those faced with with faced those for of call port first he https://www.premierdigital.info/blog/

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online through household services and Zoom congregations, as as congregations, Zoom and services household through online

Enabling offline church by services going online – online going services by church offline Enabling 19 lockdown in the UK is a synchronous/hybridised mix mix synchronous/hybridised a is UK the in lockdown 19 Extending offline church by providing engagement engagement providing by church offline Extending ies in London to support the delivery industry. –

broadcasting/enabling normative patterns of of patterns normative broadcasting/enabling dcasting of an existing product, such as the the as such product, existing an of dcasting –

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pandemic, it is important to reflecton two issues that Facedwith this “sign of the times”theCOVID in affect theologicalecclesiological and of aspects the new modalities of perception and expression of of expression and perception of modalities new relationship betweenchurches the andthedigital environment:notions the of communication an Communicating the Faith Moisés SbardelottoMoisés

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“number” to be counted by the audience and viewing rates. rates. viewing and audience the by counted be to “number” additional an as objectified “spectator,” passive mere a as pers other this Thus, screen. the of side The risk is that will forget we that there a person is clergyman. the around revolves communication “clericalist exhibitionism,” which in all thenetworked a certainoften “media clericalism,” also is there noteven if a scène” “mise en a in spectacles, mere into rites the transforming of risk a is there celebrations, transmit to eagerness the With of faith. life the to risks some the of potentialities The distances. shorten and isolation overcome to order in internet the on moments religious other or rites their of transmissions of countless religious groups was promote to more “liturgical lockdown,” true a in the almost automatic response worldwide temples closed of notion unprecedented the to Prior Exhibition Communicationand Relationship, Transmission just not or and enunciated also needs to problematized. be about thought are they way the therefore, and ways, innovative community communication of notions the significations: new demand which them, of two highlight I will environment. digital the and churches the between relationship the of aspects theo the on effects its and pandemic the times,” in the of “sign of this face the in arise that issues communication some on reflect to important is it reason, this For culture. emerging the in depth more with itself “incarnate” diffi it makes this here, reference environment.In the case of Christianity, to which will make I

d in live are experiences these internet, the On . digital, however, can bring with them them with bring can however, digital,

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Reflections on Doing Church Online contact dispense or avoid often but connection, a seek Churches TheDistanced Church

Mystery.” Therefore, it is better to avoid advancing advancing avoid to better is it Therefore, Mystery.” meaning to lifeunravel and mysteries its 2011, author’s p. 91, translation) — of interlocutors who seek the signification of meanings” (Freire, encounter “an but information, “transmitting” of matter a just not It is themselves.” “communicating fact, in but, contents,” co Everyone subjects. passive no are there shared), is experience religious the whom with people (the “you” a with and God) call we (whom “You” a with relation the In it. around gathers sacred the is meaning” Translating this into a religious language, the “significant translation). author’s 8, p. 2011, (Freire, subjects” passive no are there communication, in Thus, meaning. significant the around myself communicate to is “To communicate persons human with relationship humanizing and humanized a establish to order in anguishes, and sadness hopes, and joys his/her communicate, they whom with person the of “face” the consider must network digital a in do churches the that Everything to “people or listen” to “people gather just not and relationships interpersonal networked build to possible it make to is important more even However, sacred. the experience and On the contrary,thisessential is help to the faithful live the rite transm of quality technical the underestimating mean not does This environment. digital the in established is that process and interactional communicational take account the into to necessary is it transmission, on focus narrow a than More humanity. - participates this in relations . The risk, in short, is to ignore the “other” in hi in “other” the ignore to is short, in risk, The .

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see.” see.” s/her s/her ission. ission. which often go beyond spa beyond go often which facing theemergence of digital ecclesial communitiesDECs) (or translation). Today, following this trail, could we say that are we author’s 10, p. 1977, (Boff, person” lay the and Word the wa “another were They Ecumenical Council, the base ecclesial communities (BECs). Vatican Second the of fruits main the of one world the offered America Latin in churches Christian century, past the In 5). para. section, 2019,We are members (Francis, of one another network” the through and in including humanity, our of nature interpersonal the affirm to and relationships in invest to us of on all “calls section, para. 4). And this period of social isolation especially (Francis, The 2019, metaphors of the net and community language” of use responsible the on based dialogue, and listening mutual requires [that] solidarity of “network a mainly is it contrary, the On individuals.” “connected or individuals H (Campbell Garner, p. 67). & 2016, experience” worship offline embodied, an for, replacement a than rather to, addition in is and “augments community online an in involvement the that strongly more even recognize to time a is It faith. the communicating and sharing of experiences invent and create people network, digital a In importance. new a gains also faith of journey the on sisters and brothers In this period of social is Networked Comm discernment. of lack a to due technologically if it means receding theologically and ecclesially, owever, a community is more than just a congregation of of congregation a just than more is community a owever,

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Reflections on Doing Church Online National Conference of Catholic Bishops of Brazil. From 2008 to to 2008 From Brazil. of Bishops Catholic of Conference National the by 2014 in published Brazil,” in Church the of Directory “Communication the of committee drafting the of member tantassis professor Unisinos at University,Brazil. He a was Moisés Sbardelotto a truly and profoundly communicational profoundly and truly a communion Christian the of construction the community a form them, with And, network. digital a in connected precisely to strengthen relations with flesh with relations strengthen to precisely mainobjective of ministry a thedigital in environment is time is In th translation). author’s (Boff paths” false from true discern to able be to wants to see, comprehend learn; and maintain critical vigilance who someone of attitude an in themselves put experiences; ecclesial other and contexts other from born categories phenomeno the frame immediately to wanting not inaugurated; was that path the respect their authorities seek – seek authorities their and institutions religious that important is it this, of In view historical variat “new a to point BECs, historical the as well as DECs, The bonds. interpersonal and experience religious for need and search same the “environments,” other in and “means” other with update, They etc.). dioceses, parishes, (groups, structures religious local of configurations TheDistanced Church

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Reflections on Doing Church Online computer culture computer a in message Christian The (1990). II. Paul John Sources Press. Lexington from forthcoming is , Communion Virtual book, Her culture. digital and theology of Molloy CollegeNew in York. She writes on the intersection Katherine Schmidt G. 1990). II, Paul (John come” things good all whom from Father the to glory give to thus and person, every of vocation transcendent crisis to engagedigital culture “to s of moment this use we May out. lived and translated, received, are they which in spaces mediated the of awareness critical cleric alike — it is integral an part of it. All and moral theology.Digital life is not additional modern to life; theology, sacramental history, church about does it as culture digital about carefully as think to needs Church The mediation. is well- perspective atheological from requirements training literacy digital propose I Furthermore, training in theirdioceses, particularly the at seminary level. Pontifical Council seriously and im the of recommendations the take bishops all that I propose toecclesial lifebest, at obstacle an as and to holiness worst. at additional or optional as it see to us encourages entertainment TheDistanced Church ii_mes_24011990_world - ii/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_jp - http://www.vatican.va/content/john

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Reflections on Doing Church Online

Death's Dominion.” Dominion.” Death's Malley, is https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/the Source Theologian blogs He. Jesus Zombie Cross at with the Way of The Flesh: Redeeming being recent most his books, Universityof Notre Dame Australia. He the is of author two Matthew John Tan Paul TheDistanced Church

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Reflections on Doing Church Online TheDistanced Church

analysis. Our primary research objective was to identify the the identify to was objective research primary Our analysis. preliminary our extend and refine to symposium participatory a convened summer following the and organizations training During 2015- Oliver Kimball, & 2019a; Oliver Kimball, & 2019b). 2013; Fentress occurring under the impactmediaof new (Kimball Oliver, & t to creatively respond leaders faith helping at aimed initiatives consulting and teaching numerous Virginia Theological Seminary had alreadybeen involved in and leadership. 2015, By our and we, colleagueKimball Lisa at engagement religious digital about project research substantial a for funding of round first the for applying were we online, ministries other many and worship their take to churches forced pandemic coronavirus novel the before years Five Project Ministry for Literacies Digital The Reassessing Embodiment and Its Role in Developing Digital Digital Developing in Role Its and Embodiment Reassessing experiences during the COVID structure in light of observations and firsthand leadership the literacy “presenting authentically andpastorally - Stacy Williams literacies for ministry reexamine the framework’s the literacies for ministry reexamine online” is not the outcome of mastering the other 16, we interviewed 36 leaders in 13 ministry 13 in leaders 36 interviewed we 16, Author of aresearch - Williams Williams & literacies but the motivation to develop them. them. develop to motivation the but literacies Literacies for Ministry for Literacies Duncan and Kyle Kyle Duncan and Matthew - 2 9 - - -19 pandemic, arguing that

based framework of digital - he sociocultural changes changes sociocultural he Duncan, 2015; Oliver, 2019;

Oliver

Reflections on Doing Church Online intothe four categories also listed Table in 1. Williams (Oliver, study this about paper foundations forthcoming cap less much them, order semi of Since identified we each literacy grounded via a theory analysis 2019; Oliver, Williams Williams emerging from American theological education (Oliver, Kimball, knowledge, the first empirically our to offered, and 1) Table see (DLMs, ministry for literacies ministry st digital media ministry skills most importantforministers and TheDistanced Church Digital Literacies for Ministry Framework T ( habitus digital wise spiritually a Cultivating community digital Convening cultures digital Navigating 1 able centering (abbreviations boldface) Nam

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to to Forexample, entire congregations are collaboratively learning During the COVID the During Pandemic Amid Ministries Literacies Digital We, and many of the experts we interviewed, have been been have interviewed, we experts the of many and We, comment and covenants communication other in Zoom etiquette and developingorupdating online continuity. and connection for need tremendous of face the in literacies these of several of development the through rapidly the and leaders religious Many DLMs. the of value the in confidence our strengthened have leaders congregational as experiences and researchers ( experimentation of posture a Maintaining pastorally online pastorally Presenting ( reflection to theological theory media Connecting artifacts media based Creating curating & experimenting) reflecting convene hybrid and digital communities, digital and hybrid convene )

authentically & & authentically

faith 19 pandemic, our observations as as observations our pandemic, 19

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moderation policies.

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s leadership

Reflections on Doing Church Online

the midst of ever of midst the in people our with present being about always are ministry for exp be an should — educators theological as us with resonated that way a in priorities emerging articulates He . experimentation of posture a maintaining faith curating and creating to develop new skills need urgent an articulates Lasch Ian priest Episcopal 1, Figure In media. secular the even and pastors, seniors bishops, of agendas the onto pastors associate young of descriptions job the and conferences, conversations usually relegatedelective to courses, specialis ministry digital moved have they finding are we unfold, circumstances devastating these see to wished never we While help all church leaders betterunderstand thisconnection. pec this that is hope Our formation. ministry of understandings traditional more with alignment their underscore 1 Table in literacies the of groupings our Indeed, 2009). Robison, & Clinton, Weigel, Purushotma, Jenkins, 2000; instrumenta technical than practice social about more are competencies these that view scholars’ Our understandingofdigital literacy followsprominent crowdsourcing resource collections. resource crowdsourcing artifact digital based curating and creating service emergency into pressed TheDistanced Church

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Reflections on Doing Church Online

we discerned in a January 2020 strategy session: strategy 2020 January a in discerned we work of areas future several of relevance the us for confirming research, DLM to commitment our reenergized has crisis This COVID After Ministries Literacies Digital competencies. new their practice to continue and Jerusalem to return they when enriched ministries their find believe those who have learned to flourish digital in exile will We 137). (Psalm song Lord’s the sing still could they discovered la strange a entered leaders these congregations, their to present be to way other no was there When motivation presenting authentically and pastorally online outcome an as embodiment understanding of Instead 2016). (Oliver, ministers digital be to needed they everything had already they trusted they contexts, training in says often Kyle As community. t

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o the equipment and other resources available in their their in available resources other and equipment o the • •

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from from ParadigmsTeaching in Ministry, for Nashville, TN. Retrieved texts digitalUsing storytelling remix: a is re toEverything Fentress Sources education Church at Divinity Schoolof thePacific. Christian teaches and communications manages He making. Kyle Oliver Kyle digital learning, program design, and facilitating change. in specializes which consulting, ForTE Learning of founder and Williams Stacy deepened Press. MIT MA: Cambridge, culture of participatory challenges the A. (2009). Confronting J. - COVID the at back look to hope we researchers, and ministers As of (digital) practice: Preparing religious Preparing practice: of (digital) Kimball, Jenkins, 180– (Eds Barton D. & Ivanič R. In social. the of work the to situated”’ MA. Boston, Meeting, Annual Association engagement Gee, .), Situated literacies: Reading and writing in context in writing and Reading literacies: Situated .),

. Paper presented at the Pedagogical Possibilities: New New Possibilities: Pedagogical the at presented Paper . 196). New York, NY: Routledge. NY: York, New 196). J. P. (2000).J. TheNew Literacy Studies: From “socially https://www.youtube.com/watch? 19 pandemic and see a moment that both expa both that moment a see and pandemic 19

H - Communities November). K. M. (2013, Oliver, M. & Communities E. Williams, Williams J. &

., Purushotma, R., Weigel, M., Clinton, K., & Robison, Robison, & K., Clinton, M., Weigel, R., Purushotma, ., the digital ministry conversation.

i s s a media educator specializing in creative meaning . Paper presented at the Religious Education Education Religious the at presented Paper . - Duncan

is Rector of Little Fork Episcopal Church Church Episcopal Fork Little of Rector is

- Duncan, S. (2015, June). June). (2015, S. Duncan,

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Reflections on Doing Church Online

be a digitalbe a media minister. Leadership & Faith Oliver Religion & Theology Teaching classroom. seminary the in roles and spaces new exploring for principles Pedagogical geographies: https://religiouseducation.net/papers/rea2016 from Retrieved PA. Pittsburgh, Meeting, Annual Association Education Religious the at presented Poster education theological in study exploratory An mapping: asset (2 I. Blanchard, & S., Oliver, K. M.,Kimball, E. M., Williams 249). London, UK: SPCK. practice best and theory of survey comprehensive A ministry: of study The (Eds.), Po F. & Percy, E. Markham, Portraits ministry: Oliver,Kimball, K., & L.(2019). Digital media for 232). London, UK: SPCK. practice best and theory of survey comprehensive A Ministry: of Study The (Eds.), Po F. & Percy, E. Markham, conce Key ministry: Oliver, K. Kimball, & L. (2019). Digital media for Oliver, already https://faithandleadership.com/kyle TheDistanced Church Oliver,Williams K. M. & educators. resources across career stages according theological to Faith leaders developingdigital literacies: Demands and , K. M. (2016). You already have everything you need to to need you everything have already You (2016). M. K. ,

K. K. - , have (1), 4 22(1), M. (2019). Networked religionmeets digital Jo - , Education Literacy Media of urnal everything – 16. , practices and potential. In M. Percy, I. I. Percy, M. In potential. and practices , pts and core convictions. In M. Percy, I. I. Percy, M. In convictions. core and pts 016, November).016, Digital media for ministry

- Duncan, (2019).S. you - need - be - - matthew Duncan, - digital-

media

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(pp. 233 (pp. 217 (pp. - minister - you - – – . 145.

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Oliver, K. M.,Williams media engagement. Ecclesial new for students preparing educators theological of study M.(forthcoming). Digital literaciesministry: for qualitative A Routledge. NY: York, New . education and ethnography development, in to literacy approaches Street, (1995). Social V. B. literacies: Critical

- Duncan, S., & Kimball, E. Kimball, & S., Duncan, Practices

Reflections on Doing Church Online denominations have thought about presence, participation, and and participation, presence, about thought have denominations actu the replace not themthrough broadcastor livestream, while beneficial, does mediating thus and person, in place take to needs sacraments the in Participation events: sacramental broadcasting s and Orthodox, Catholics, Roman church. particular a of theology sacramental normative the to according denominationally, defined is question this to answer the extent, certain a To celebrations. broadc mediated worship “real” is for those experience who via it such extent what to is transition of time this during arising question challenging significant One encouragement. and reflections, prayerful practices, devotional services, broadcast o in communication social to anew turned have faith, of persons individual more many and churches, Christian of Multitudes leader. religious the of decision prudent the by or government the of order by either ceased, have worship gatherings including assemblies including gatherings COVID the of threat the to response In TheDistanced Church

ome Protestant Christians have a hard line when it comes to to comes it when line hard a have Christians Protestant ome communities reflecton this intentionally aspart of the Is It Real? Mystagogizing the Livestreamed Service Livestreamed the Mystagogizing Real? It Is ast or livestream,ast especially Eucharistic and sacramental digitally mediated experience and proposes that that proposes and experience mediated digitally This essayponders the realityof

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Reflections on Doing Church Online