Tom Underhill is the Development Officer for the South West Gospel Partnership
Ministry in the Coronavirus age
On Wednesday 22nd April, we held an online discussion via Zoom between ministers and church leaders to facilitate sharing ideas, challenges and encouragements from our experience of ministering during the strange conditions we find ourselves living under.
The first part of the discussion focused on what churches are doing now, including live streaming meetings, virtual means of fellowship and communication, including congregation members without internet access, and serving and reaching our local communities in safe and legal ways. Then subsequently we discussed the possible post-lockdown conditions, and what opportunities and challenges they will bring to our churches.
As the discussion time was generally felt valuable, we will plan to hold a further conversation in June. If you would like to know more about joining this, please get in touch with Tom ([email protected]).
There is a WhatsApp group for youth and children's workers from SWGP churches who are sharing ideas about that particular aspect of ministry at this time. If you would like to be added to this group, please contact Simon ([email protected]).
Below are a couple of resources that were discussed during the meeting, that may be of use to you:
In addition to these, SpeakLife have been producing very helpful content on their YouTube channel.
Of particular interest may be:
Finally, Music Ministry have made available some music and lyric videos that other churches have recorded for use in streamed services:
MTC Online
As mentioned in the meeting, the Ministry Training Course is recommencing tomorrow via Zoom. Because this is now online, we're able to open up to anyone the opportunity to join the exposition sessions this term. These are on 1 Corinthians and the Gospel of John, run for 5 sessions, and cost £20 to join for all 5. For more information, see: