As More Churches are Closed Again, Pastor Underlines Importance of Online Ministries and Cell Groups

On April 10, Qingyang Church in Jinjiang City of Fujian Province held an online communion service on Good Friday.
On April 10, Qingyang Church in Jinjiang City of Fujian Province held an online communion service on Good Friday. (photo: Qinyang Church )
By Ruth WangJanuary 21st, 2021

As Spring Festival approaches, which is the largest annual human migration in the world, China is seeing a resurgence of coronavirus in several places, including Gaocheng District in Hebei and Wangkui County in Heilongjiang. Both have been upgraded to high-risk areas. Besides these, there have been about 70 areas designated as medium-risk.

Churches in many places have adjusted to specific health conditions. Some move in-person services onto the “iCloud,” while some divide large gatherings into smaller groups. 

Pastor L from eastern China said that his church canceled on-site services and started virtual gatherings due to the situation. 

Talking about the impact of the pandemic upon the church throughout last year, he said that revival took place in some churches despite suffering the loss of church members. He observed that those churches focused on cell group pastoring, giving priority to the combination of faith and life as well as inner life. 

Faced with the cancellation of in-persons religious gatherings, the church should pay attention to online ministries and cell group care, L added. 

- Translated by Karen Luo

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