Theological Reflections and Practical Resources for Socially Distanced Ministry
Welcome to the landing page for The Scattered Church. We’re glad you’re here.
As the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into months of imagining and reimagining the ways we gather as disciples of Jesus, the offices that make up the Office of Theology, Formation, and Evangelism ministry area have worked to gather resources to help congregational and new worshiping community leaders consider both theological and practical resources that provide shape and grounding for our efforts to answer the call of Christ to the Church in this moment.
The resources here are designed for pastoral leaders, sessions, and worship committees who are seeking faithful and creative ways to gather as communities of witness online and in alternative ways as well as in safe in person ways as local circumstances permit.
What’s here?
Quicksheets
Theological reflections and discernment questions for leaders who are evaluating the virtual gathering methods available to us.
Engaging in New Modes of Ministry | Discerning New Modes of Ministry
How to Start a Prayer Group | Worship Books and Intergenerational Ministry
This is My Song | Making Music in the Meantime
Videos
Webinars offering an overview of producing digital worship services and considerations for sustaining this digital presence even as it becomes safe to gather in person again.
Empowering and Sustaining Digital Worship | Producing Digital Worship
Zoom Conversation
Pastoring the Body of Christ in a Time of Pandemic
Watch a Zoom recording on “Pastoring the Body of Christ in a Time of Pandemic” with Bruce Reyes-Chow, the past Moderator of the PC(USA) and pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto. In this conversation, Bruce shares his wisdom and experiences of engaging his congregation in various digital platforms.
Watch the Zoom recording | View the Slideshow Presentation (PDF)
Bending the Moral Arc Webinar
Two congregations came together in partnership around the invitation of Matthew 25 to have courageous conversations and to take steps towards dismantling structural racism. They were transformed!
We will hear from these churches, one predominately white and one historically black, that developed a small group model for conversation and action, all during the pandemic and on zoom! Leaders from Nassau Presbyterian Church and Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey will be present to share their story and best practices as you learn to translate this model to your own context.
A template for this small group ministry partnership is available as a FREE download below. This template includes background, tips for creating your own ministry and sample lessons and resources.
Watch the Video | Watch the Webinar | Download the Resource | Read the news story | Courageous Conversations Resources
Resources for Church and Community Growth
Additional resources that may help your community grow as disciples even though we are scattered as a church.
