COVID-19 Church-wide Letter #2

UPDATED March 14, 2020, 6:08PM

Rock Bridge,

We continue to navigate with much prayer and reliance upon Scripture for how to “be” the church during the COVID-19 crisis.

First, we recognize the need for wisdom, to respect our government authorities and health officials, and yet to still let our “light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16).

Second, we realize that how our church assembles, worships, and fellowships together will have to adapt based on local realities and the recommendations of local officials. However, we’ve never defined “church” as a time or a place or a set of four walls. God has built His church to be flexible, to adapt, and to respond in a broken and uncertain world with hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5:5) and to offer the good news of Jesus (John 3:16).

Today, I want to share several ways that we will “be” the church during this unprecedented time of national emergencies, sport cancellations, and school closures in the midst of the Coronavirus crisis.

PRAY24 Text: We are resuming our PRAY24 text to share scripture and ways we can pray for each other, our communities and country during the days ahead. If you have not signed up yet, let me encourage you to do so by texting PRAY24 to 888-744-0761.

WORSHIP SERVICES: We have decided to hold physical services at normal scheduled times only in those communities where the local schools have not closed due to the Coronavirus. All local school systems are in close and regular contact with health officials, receiving updates and recommendations from them.
At this time, all of our communities have closed schools. Our Rock Bridge campuses will not meet physically together, but rather by live stream.

These parameters apply for our RBSM Link services as well.

Online Worship Experience: Anyone can participate in our worship services online at live.rockbridge.cc on Sundays at 9:30am and 11:00am, and any time after that. At 9:30 and 11:00am, we will have ministers available to interact with you and to receive prayer requests or help you take next steps in your walk with Christ. You can actually access the page now and invite someone to attend one of the online services with you!

People over 60, with pre-existing health conditions and/or those who are immune-compromised are strongly encouraged to choose online worship experiences and to avoid crowds of any kind.

ONLINE GIVING: We believe giving is an act of worship. And because of your regular giving, we are equipped to minister to our communities in times like these. As always, we are leveraging technology to allow you to give online. You can access online giving at rockbridge.cc/give.

SHOWING AND GIVING GOD’S LOVE & H.O.P.E. All of our campuses are going to work to serve people who may need assistance during this time. Schools have already reached out in some cases to see if we could help feed children who are at risk of not eating in cases where school has been cancelled. We will work wisely but also diligently to serve and help our communities and people most adversely affected.

Additionally, we have set up a Community Emergency Response Fund. If you would like to give to provide resources through these local relief efforts, you can text COMMUNITY to 888-744-0761.

SMALL GROUPS & COMMUNITY: Our discipleship team is resourcing all small group leaders with ways to have small group together but remotely online. There are numerous ways to facilitate meaningful community, fellowship, and support for one another so that we continue to faithfully meet together for encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25).

ROCK BRIDGERS IN NEED: We know some of our own members and attenders may face challenges during this season. Please remember that the church exists in part to help “do good” to those in our “faith family” (Galatians 6:10). If you have a need or challenge, please let a church leader at your campus know. No Rock Bridger will walk alone through a crisis or challenge!

WEB SITE, SOCIAL MEDIA, & EMAIL: We will work to share more updates but also encouragement from God’s Word through all of our various communication channels. Please check these regularly.

OUR WITNESS AND TESTIMONY: We have a unique opportunity to walk through this crisis with hope as we trust in the Lord. We want people to ask us about our hope (I Peter 3:15)! Let’s pray for those opportunities and then be alert for them! Remember, our hope is not in this world and our citizenship is in heaven. Let’s be careful about complaining or making this situation into a political issue.

We know Who sits on the throne, Who is worthy of all praise, and Who died and rose again to give us life and hope greater than this world!

And now, He lives in us and He is greater than the world (I John 4:4).

Rock Bridge, this is our time to “shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15-16).

Live Sent!

matt