Cokesbury Resources Plus Creative Ministry Ideas for Faith Formation

By Mindy Apple
Cokesbury Community Resource Consultant for the North Georgia Conference

In the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were reacting to the ever-changing scene in our lives and in our churches. Uncertainty, grief, and fear were some of the frequent emotions we were feeling. “Fear is a good gift,” says Adam Hamilton in Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times. “It helps us detect a danger or threat.” He adds, it’s important to “look to see how our faith can play a role in our fears.”

As a Cokesbury Conference Resource Consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how these fears are being overcome by pastors and Christian educators in our Conference. These servants have taken crash courses in video streaming and are transitioning worship, Bible studies, meetings, and youth groups to virtual gatherings via platforms such as Facebook, Skype, Zoom, and Amplify Media.

They are “looking to see how our faith can play a role in our fears.”

At Cokesbury, we've compiled a list of "Books to Read in Anxious Times." These hopeful books could be helpful in your ministry: https://www.cokesbury.com/books-to-read-in-anxious-times?pagenumber=1 

I have been amazed at how quickly church leaders have shifted from reactive to proactive. This isn’t just in our Conference. I am hearing from my colleagues throughout the country about the creative ministry approaches their church partners are taking.

We've seen creative ideas like:

• Zoom confirmation class
• Drive-by food pantry
• Starting an intergenerational buddy ministry where an older individual is paired with a family who calls them a few times per week to check in and runs errands when needed.
• Playing songs from their upcoming VBS on Zoom during their children’s devotions
• Offering "10 at 10 on Tuesdays" (10 minutes of prayer with the pastor every Tuesday at 10 a.m. on Facebook Live)

Couple ideas like these with the digital resources available and the myriad streaming options, and ministry goes on! Check out Cokesbury’s free resources at: https://www.cokesbury.com/teaching-and-learning-free-resources.)

Please be reminded that I am here to help equip you with resources to make disciples, share ideas, and lend a listening ear. Thank you for letting me be a partner in your ministry always, but especially during this season of challenge.

Take heart and believe, “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (CEB)