Church leaders have invented various ways using “the cloud” to sustain believers’ faith life since the church in China was closed down in late January due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online Sunday services, devotionals, Bible reading, the tomb sweeping service on Qingming on the Internet, as well as “iCloud choirs” are good ways of helping believers.
Recently a church in Jiangsu launched an innovative ministry in which members can join in groups through QR codes. Seven chat groups have been established based on the participants’ location in different housing blocks, villages, and towns.
Group leaders publish church announcements, Bible study material every Thursday, and daily devotionals.
After becoming part of a group, participants provide their true name and telephone numbers so that co-workers can get access to them.
Another church in Suzhou offers three ways to get access to audio sermons: through its QQ groups, streaming services, and official WeChat account.
The church announced, “Right now we cannot meet in church buildings, but an online group is also a fellowship. Where believers gather is a church, so if you have a QQ account, our church invites you to join our QQ group. Maybe many people forget their QQ numbers or elderly people do not have one, we still invite you to take part in our streaming services. Maybe your busy work schedule causes you to not be able to worship together with pastors on Sundays; our church reminds you to listen to the recorded audio files on the church’s official account when you are back home in a quiet place.”
- Translated by Karen Luo
