Where are you headed in the next 90 days? Things have radically shifted. For the first time in 2,000 years, the Church is not meeting for Easter services. This is unprecedented. Yet, in this circumstance, it’s time to reframe how you do ministry and discover some new things that you’ll keep even after this crisis has passed.

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1. Assessing

If you’ve served the church for any length of time, you have content — past sermons, Bible studies, and so forth. These are sitting in a folder somewhere on your computer or in your office. If you’ve ever thought about writing a book or creating a small group curriculum, you have a gold mine in the content you’ve already created. Which series are timely? Which series is your pastor the most passionate about?

2. Staging

In step 2, you focus on calendaring all the possibilities that you have. While the immediate plan is for what to do next week, this is also the time to think ahead to where you’re going in the fall and in the next year. While you can’t pull off a full video shoot right now, you can begin to project manage on a macro level to maximize the time you’re spending apart from your team.

3. Scripting

Whether you’ve chosen a full series or just a couple of sermons, the next step is to write 6-8 minute scripts for the teleprompter. Sometimes this is the most challenging step. You can start by having sermon recordings transcribed. Then, the real challenge comes. How do you take your 40-minute masterpiece and whittle it down like that? You might consider one point of a sermon as a full session. If you get stuck on this one, our team at LifeTogether has the expertise and experience to help you move forward.

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4. Producing

If you’re creating curriculum for after Easter, then your video shoot might amount to recording yourself on your iPhone, then uploading the video to YouTube. These times will allow for some “homemade” video production. You want a tight shot where you’re talking directly to the camera. This will convey your message well into living rooms and Zoom meetings. If you’ve got a little better equipment available, then use it. If you’re planning ahead for a fall or New Year’s series, then our team at LifeTogether will be ready to come to your place or to host you in southern California. You might need some beach time after this is over.

5. Editing

A simple edit might involve only cleaning up a few stumbles or adding the Scripture passages to the screen. More advanced videos can include testimonies and worship songs. Your video team might be able to handle this in-house. But, even some of the largest churches in the country face seasons when their video teams lack the capacity. This is where our video team can become an extension of your staff team.

6. Writing

Once the video is shot, then the curriculum writing can begin. A good group meeting might only involve 6-8 good questions, but you probably should include some others to offer variety. It’s a challenge writing curriculum for an entire church — from new believers to seasoned saints. Also include group tools like a group agreement, a small group calendar, and the circles of life to invite new members. You could also do a hybrid where your team handles the video and our team creates the study guide for you.

7. Designing

For downloadable curriculum, you might want to stick with a simple design, so your group members don’t run out of ink! You should create something better than a Word document, but not an extensively full-color design with pictures. But, when this pandemic passes, then pull out the stops for your fall curriculum and create a magazine-style study guide that will appeal to your entire congregation.

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8. Digital Publishing

Right now the option is downloadable! After you’ve created your simple design template, then put in a pdf format that can be easily emailed or downloaded from your website. Simple, portable, and accessible materials are where it’s at right now. Going forward, you should consider creating a book that people can write in and keep. If you include photos from your church family, then it can become a keepsake.

9. Distributing

As I said before, downloading is the way to go right now. Make it easy for everyone. Help those who are less tech savvy by putting an attachment to the email or even better, you could add the questions to the end of your video. No paper necessary!

10. Promoting

While you want to keep communication with your church family high right now, there are a lot of people who are not connected to any church that need the message of hope your study will provide. Create social media posts that your congregation can pass on to their friends and followers. You won’t lose a dime by offering your curriculum online for free, but you might just save a soul!

These are unusual times, but that doesn’t mean that ministry and groups and discipleship need to come to a halt. Some people are bored. Others have a lot of time on their hands. Some are offering medical or essential services and are overwhelmed. All of these folks need a place to process what’s going on. Everybody needs hope and encouragement. In this pandemic, repurposing your sermon content will put you on the frontlines of ministry like never before.

Where are you headed this Fall?

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