BAPTIST TEMPLE COVID-19 UPDATE

God has had His hand on Baptist Temple from its beginning. He has protected us and enabled us to do ministry through numerous global, national and local emergencies. Through each one Baptist Temple has listened to God and adapted to the new opportunities revealed within the challenges.

Prior to the COVID-19 emergency, Baptist Temple was strongly positioned for ministry to our community. We had turned our most visible asset, our buildings, into a hub of important services for our community. In doing this, we multiplied our ministry capacity while dividing our expenses. We efficiently and effectively served the spiritual and physical needs of our community. During this time of social distancing, we still operate essential services through our early learning center and funeral office. Meanwhile, our solar panels quietly provide energy for our community, our cell tower keeps folks connected, and our radio antennas keep security alarms on line.

We are ahead of several trends that church consultants have identified for the 21^st Century.

1. Moving from an attractional church model to a missional one. This is a part of Baptist Temple's history and so much a part of who we are that we are surprised and disappointed when a church is not missional.
2. Today churches are built to accommodate 300 worshipers at a time. Large arenas are a Baby Boomer phenomenon whose passing is being accelerated by COVID-19. It seems our sanctuary size fits the new ideal.
3. Multiple worship times are the new expectation. We have offered as many as seven services from seven different churches in multiple languages and styles.
4. A rule of thumb for worship spaces was that filling to 80% of capacity was comfortable. The new post COVID-19 capacity is expected to be 60%. People want more space.

Another of our strengths that, while not a trending, is still God-pleasing, is focusing outreach on the people that other churches overlook: older adults, the poor, the mentally ill and the disabled. While our efforts have been delayed for a season, we have nearly completed our inclusive playground and we will bounce back stronger than ever.

Robert Newman came on staff shortly before the pandemic. This is a clear example of God's hand. His many skills and talents include those that have expanded our internet media communications just when they were most needed. COVID-19 has pushed many churches into the 21^st Century and this will become a growing part of our communications process. We are on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. We also communicate regularly though our email newsletter, blog, video conference, telephone and mail.

Paths to the future include close contact and small groups. Our phone angels call each of our people on a weekly basis, maintaining close communication while we are apart. When we return, small groups will be a core discipleship strategy. This is not new for us. Sunday school has been at the heart of the explosive growth of Baptist churches for nearly a century. At the same time, parachurch groups such as Campus Crusade and the Navigators used small groups to disciple young people on college campuses and military bases. AA and other 12 step programs use them to help people cope with their pain. Almost all of our members have had experience with one or more of these groups.

I envision a combination of church-based groups, home groups, lunch-time Bible studies, etc. They will be integrated by a support system of training and coaching. The goal will be to help people grow to be more like Jesus, wherever they are on their walk.

Another path for the future is Stephen Ministry. Our highly trained Stephen Ministers will meet one on one with folks who need a little extra grace for a time. The path to the future is a continued focus on the Great Commission:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)