Compiled by Chris Moon and Jim Nieman
Churches are taking different approaches to reopening their doors as local governments begin to lift social distancing requirements.
Lead pastor Glen Elliott provided insight to the Arizona Daily Star about Pantano Christian Church’s decision to remain closed at least until June. Elliott said the challenges of cleaning the Tucson church—including children’s areas—between each of its three services of more than 1,000 people each make it “near impossible to open,” he said.
“Can you imagine the incredible challenges we’d have just cleaning every classroom for kids between every service? And then cleaning doors, cleaning bathrooms,” Elliott told the newspaper. “I mean it would take an army of people just to do all of the sanitation that would be required.”
Elliott said the church conducted a survey that showed about half its congregation wasn’t comfortable yet returning to church.
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News Briefs
Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Ky., used the proceeds from its “One Dollar Club” to purchase a minivan for a local activist.
WTQV-TV reported the church gave the van to hip-hop artist Devine Carama, a well-known activist in the area. Carama recently launched a program to educate teenagers about the dangers of drugs and annually has held collections for children who don’t have winter coats.
The larger vehicle will help Carama serve Lexington better.
Southland raised the money by asking each member to regularly give an extra dollar that the church then uses to help someone in the community.
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Gary Johnson of e2: effective elders has been hosting “Life After COVID” podcasts featuring Christian leaders from across the country. Recent interviews, available on YouTube, have been with . . .
• Tony Twist, president of TCM International Institute
• Mark Miller, associate director of development with Central India Christian Mission
• Darren Key, CEO of Christian Financial Resources
• Tom Ellsworth, lead minister (soon to retire) with Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Bloomington, Ind.
• and David Fincher, president of Central Christian College of the Bible, Moberly, Mo.
Click here to access the entire catalog of interviews.
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Milligan College’s class of 2020—the final class before the Tennessee institution changes its name to Milligan University on June 1—graduates this month. This year’s graduating class includes the first graduates earning bachelor’s degrees in engineering and master’s degrees in physician assistant studies and humanities. The formal on-campus ceremony for this month’s graduates has been rescheduled for Aug. 15.
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The 2020 International Conference On Missions is just six months away. ICOM is scheduled to take place Nov. 19-22 in Indianapolis. The theme will be “The Cross Before Me”; Jeff Vines, lead pastor with ONE&ALL Church in Southern California (formerly Christ’s Church of the Valley) and a former missionary to Zimbabwe and New Zealand, is serving as president.
By the way, ICOM is also seeking to hire a new student director. Learn more here.
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Nebraska Christian College, which will close after the spring semester, has scheduled “The NCC Legacy Evening” for 6 to 9 p.m. July 24. The event will honor “75 years of ministry, service, and friendships.” Learn more here.
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Town and Country Christian Church, Topeka, Kan., distributed more than 24,000 pounds of food last week to hundreds of families suffering adverse economic conditions caused by COVID-19, according to WIBW.com.
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An article by Dave Ferguson called “Which Network Is the Best Fit for Your Church Plant?” is featured at OutreachMagazine.com. Ferguson lists 10 types of networks and suggests the reader “consider which one best fits you and the people you lead.” Ferguson serves as lead pastor with Community Christian Church in Chicagoland, lead visionary with NewThing Network, and president of Exponential.
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Dennis McConnaughhay, a 1981 alum of St. Louis Christian College, has been hired as the new vice president of advancement for the school. He is set to begin his duties around June 1. McConnaughhay has served as senior minister with Post Road Christian Church in Indianapolis since 2005.
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