Preaching Goes Viral

On the Eve of Easter 2020: Coronavirus and US Orthodox Christian Parishes

Poverty, Financial Struggle, and Shortage

There are at least three reasons why the Coronavirus outbreak will have a strong negative impact on the budgets of many American congregations in general and US Orthodox parishes in particular. The first is the unavoidable decrease in the engagement of members in the lives of their local Christian communities. Not all parishes were able to bring their liturgical services online, but even if they did, not all members probably are feeling that this is an adequate substitute for being physically present in church and experiencing the worship together with the clergy and their fellow parishioners. Similarly, even smaller number of parishes (see section II) have managed to organize online meetings for their religious education classes or small groups. And, if they did, it is very likely that not all members who used to come for physical meetings would are actively participating in their online versions. Finally, as noted in section IV, people come to church not only to worship but also to socialize with friends and like-minded parishioners. Nothing fully replaces this aspect of parish community if the church doors are locked. This decrease in engagement means that many members will give less to their congregations. The second reason is that in many parishes the physical “passing of the plate” in church remains an important way of gathering donations. Many parishes have yet to develop some form of online giving that would allow members to easily give electronically. And even if parishes offer such option on their websites, many clergy have paid thus far little attention to promoting online giving versus more traditional envelopes with checks, pledge cards, etc. The third and most economically driven reason for the financial crunch being experienced by many congregations is the growth of unemployment and decrease in income among those parishioners who have lost their jobs or are being furloughed as the consequence of the Coronavirus pandemic.

2022-12-16

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Alexei Krindatch