Why Your Ministry Needs To Be Mobile

As I headed up the driveway, I could see the whole family emerge from the house. It was a weird experience to be greeted by the family, but when you are delivering some treats, who wants to wait? Earlier in the day, I had texted a parent to find out when the family would be home so that I could drop off some goodies to their teens. I intended to make it quick delivery, but it turned into a substantial visit. I found myself hanging outside of their house, catching up with the teens, getting to know their dad, and becoming a highlight of their day.

While I love the fact that we can connect with people virtually, it can get old. And even though virtual ministry is a part of our new reality, it isn’t the only way to serve others during the quarantine. Whether church doors are open or closed, we have to remember is that our ministries are more than a program, and our parishes are more than a building. If you want to go beyond virtual during this pandemic, then it’s essential to stay mobile by:

SCHEDULING HOME VISITS

Teenagers are home, and with a few exceptions, most of them will be home during the school year. This situation provides us with an opportunity many of us have never experienced. We’ll be able to interact with teends during the school day without worrying, “Can I get on campus?”

Teenagers are going to need study breaks and encouragement. Grab some of your volunteers with flexible schedules and set up a home visit with their parents. You’ll need to make sure an adult is at the house (Please abide by child safety rules), but take a few minutes to deliver milkshakes, snacks, or simple words of encouragement. If a parent is at home, bring them something as well, and use it as an opportunity to build a relationship with them.

CONVERTING TO DIGITAL CONTENT

Again, screens are a new reality, but you can use them to your advantage. While teaching in front of a camera is much different than a live audience, it can still be just as effective. Teens are accustomed to consuming information via video, and we can provide it for them. You don’t need fancy equipment, just a phone with a camera just as you prepare to speak in front of a live audience, set up your camera and teach.

In addition to video, make sure any reflections or devotionals are digital too. You can invite teens to do a Bible study utilizing an app like the Bible App. Develop an email or texting list where you can send out links to articles, memes, or podcasts. It’ll require a little more effort to cultivate the content, but it’ll be easily accessible. Teens and parents can watch your message on their phone, download a lesson from the cloud and grow while they are on the go.

MAKING THE JOURNEY LITERAL

Ministry is not just about content; it’s also about experiences. While meeting on the church campus is limited, it is possible to meet for a hike, walk, or bike ride. And the excursion doesn’t have to be merely social. Turn a hike into a reflection on the road to Emmaus. Convert a walk into praying the rosary. And if your numbers, type of the instructions and share them with families. When you walk with your teens, you remind them that faith is active and is something that can occur outside the church walls.

Even in quarantine, our faith can grow, and our churches can be a movement. To pivot and make the change, we have to remember that faith is not static or relegated to a book. Our relationship with God involves how we connect with others. This fall as you look to go virtual, don’t forget you can also be mobile.

What does mobilized ministry look like to you?