Video and audio conferencing and webinar platforms, such as Zoom, are used by many churches for online meetings, bible studies and services. Whilst video conference style meetings are predominantly best for internal communication, they can offer opportunities for evangelism if used in intentional ways.
Good News Story: The Service of Recovery, Newcastle District
Deacon Tracey Hume, Newcastle District Community Engagement Enabler, has been running online church services via Zoom for people with a range of addictions and at different stages of recovery. She was very aware that people who would usually attend an Anonymous Fellowship were predominantly not able to do so during lockdown. To this end Tracey created a short 10-15 minute service based around some of the 12 steps and uses the prayers that are familiar to those in recovery with a short reading and reflection. One of those who attends has shared this story with permission: “The Service of Recovery allows me the gift of a short time to pause and reflect about my life, the week just gone, the days ahead and what these look like in recovery. I have definitely gained strength and been inspired by the service, in one way seeing it as another tool in my recovery kit and one which I’ve thought about and actioned during the following week. The service also reminds me that my Higher Power, in its different forms, including the service itself and its members, is always with me and if I trust it and allow it to take care of me and those people I love, all will be well.”