Pastor Chat

Church life was becoming more and more limited. We suspended our weekly Fellowship Meals and intergenerational activities due to Covid 19. We eventually went to Live-Stream only worship services. These changes were hard on the whole congregation, but especially our elderly. We pastors were brainstorming how to stay connected with the elderly. We divided up those most shut in and made personal phone calls. We used the same idea for the Elders’ Board to do calling just to help people feel some connection to the church. These were helpful, but were hard to sustain due to the time-consuming nature. We also came up with an idea we called “Pastor Chat” which has turned out to be a consistently good one. Each week, following the worship service, (about 5-10 minutes after the service) pastors get on-line on Zoom. Prior to the meeting, on Friday, we send out a link to the meeting, and anyone and everyone is invited. We include a reflection question, based on the sermon. During the chat time, we invite any responses to the worship service, and the sermon. Following that, we invite any prayer requests, or sharing of joys. We notice people are interacting with each other now as well as with the pastors. We close with prayer.  The chat usually lasts about a half hour, and is a good way to promote fellowship in the church.

-Steve Schmidt (former Whitestone Interim Lead Pastor)