The Post-Pandemic Church
In a world rocked by COVID-19, Churches of Christ face…
Faith and COVID-19
The Christian Chronicle's top stories on the coronavirus pandemic.
Look to The Christian Chronicle for in-depth coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
From Christians battling the virus to churches working to slow its spread, stay current with our latest reports.
The following list, which is frequently updated, highlights our top COVID-19 stories:
• COVID-19 left her blind. Then it took her father. But this young mom refuses to ‘give up on God’: After all the trials, Texas church member receives an unexpected blessing — a son with a biblical name. Published Nov. 7, 2023.
Della Souder worships at the Cold Springs Church of Christ surrounded by family.
• ‘Somebody has to die for me to live’: Faith helped a COVID-19 patient and his family survive life support, a double lung transplant and nearly a year in the hospital. By Calvin Cockrell. Published June 15, 2023.
• ‘It’s the same Jesus’: After a three-year pandemic delay, a unity service brings together Christians who worship in English, Korean and Spanish. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Jan. 11, 2022.
• In Texas, CEO leads Christian Care Centers through bankruptcy and sale: For a 75-year-old senior living ministry associated with Churches of Christ, COVID-19 problems accelerated financial difficulties. By Bobby Ross Jr. and Natalie Walters. Published Oct. 13, 2022.
Sabrina Porter, president and CEO of Christian Care Centers Inc., is shown in her office in Mesquite, Texas, east of Dallas.
• Pandemic-era politics challenge an Ohio church — and it’s not alone: The congregation’s experience reflects “the emotional tension that seems to be really big in the country as a whole.” By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Sept. 12, 2022.
• After two years of COVID-19 delays, Latino youths welcome big national gathering: Teens and 20-somethings from Churches of Christ across the U.S. convene in the Chicago area. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Aug. 1, 2022.
• ‘Beautiful are the faces’: Delayed by the pandemic, Alaska’s first statewide lectureship in three years reunites — and reinvigorates — Christians in the Last Frontier. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published April 13, 2022.
Volunteers with the Anchorage Church of Christ serve lasagna and salad for Friday night dinner at the Alaska State Lectureship.
• Worship in PJs or pews?: Two years into the pandemic, church leaders reflect on the blessings — and drawbacks — of livestreaming. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Feb. 15, 2021.
• Amid omicron surge, churches experience struggle and hope: How are Churches of Christ doing almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic? By Calvin Cockrell. Published Jan. 18, 2022.
• ‘What God will do … will blow your mind’: Five takeaways from a panel discussion on the post-pandemic church. By Calvin Cockrell. Published Oct. 12, 2021.
Carlos Rivera prays with patients in the COVID-19 ward of Hospital Regional San Francisco in Juticalpa, Honduras.
• Compassion at capacity: As the delta variant fills a Central American hospital, medical mission Predisan bolsters patients with prayer, vaccines and “sincere confidence that God is with them.” By Erik Tryggestad and Audrey Jackson. Published Sept. 14, 2021.
• Ministries emerge from pandemic with hope: For over a year, flagship nonprofits, schools and publishers walked the gauntlet of remote work, sick employees and layoffs. By Cheryl Mann Bacon. Published July 26, 2021.
• The happiest place on earth? It might be this long-awaited gathering of Christians: In the shadow of Walt Disney World, the Equip Conference brings together pandemic-weary members of Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published July 24, 2021.
Christians sing at the Equip Conference in Orlando, Fla.
• ‘Rip and sip’ communion cups may be new normal: The COVID-19 pandemic brought changes to the Lord’s Supper. Some could be lasting, two surveys find. By Cheryl Mann Bacon. Published June 15, 2021.
• A pandemic of prayer for India: Christians face a ‘grim, grave and gloomy’ situation as COVID-19 ravages the predominantly Hindu nation. By Erik Tryggestad. Published May 4, 2021.
• Churches, Christian universities hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics: Leaders say they are partnering with community agencies to help make the vaccine available to those who want it. By Chellie Ison. Published April 26, 2021.
• Moving during a pandemic complicates search for church home: For relocated Christians, virtual worship options help bridge the COVID-19 gap. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published March 18, 2021.
• A simpler church: It’s abundantly clear, thanks to COVID-19, that the church is not a building. In a post-pandemic world, some ask: Why have a building at all? By Erik Tryggestad. Published March 15, 2021.
• After difficult year, COVID-19 vaccines bring joy and hope: “It’s a great relief to see so many friends and family becoming more protected. We’ve had enough sickness and loss.” By Bobby Ross Jr. Published March 13, 2021.
• An unfathomable toll: After a year of pandemic, Christians reflect on loved ones lost to a virus that has claimed millions of lives. By Chellie Ison. Published March 12, 2021.
Flags cover the snowy ground outside the Alum Creek Church of Christ in Lewis Center, Ohio, in memory of the millions who have died from COVID-19.
• A youth rally in a pandemic? It’s not as simple as requiring masks and distancing: After its cancellation last year, California’s Springfest returns to the calendar — but not without challenges. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Feb. 24, 2021.
• In Canada, churches balance in-person worship with COVID-19 restrictions: Police politely disrupt New Brunswick church, which met in violation of that province’s coronavirus protocols. By Chellie Ison. Published Feb. 9, 2021.
• An answer to prayer?: Most Christians welcome the COVID-19 vaccines, but some are skeptical. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Jan. 18, 2021.
A health care worker fills a syringe with the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer.
• Pandemic reveals a global fellowship: Christians say that COVID-19 has challenged them to rethink what it means to be the church. By Erik Tryggestad. Published Dec. 21, 2020.
• Feeding the 350: When school cafeterias close, Texas Christians rework their ministry plan to ensure children have food. By Cheryl Mann Bacon. Published Dec. 17, 2020.
• ‘The Lord is definitely not done with Mitch’: Oklahoma minister, who spent 48 days in the hospital battling COVID-19, goes home. By Chellie Ison. Published Dec. 14, 2020.
Chris Seidman, lead minister for The Branch Church in Farmers Branch, Texas, prays with Mitch Wilburn, his brother-in-law, during the Oklahoma’s preacher time in the hospital.
• Going virtual again: Churches return online as COVID-19 cases surge. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Dec. 10, 2020.
• In virus-stricken Native America, church shares food and light: “God, even in the darkest moments, is able to use people to shine his glory and his hope.” By Erik Tryggestad. Published Nov. 19, 2020.
• Ministers struggle under weight of pandemic stress: COVID-19 crisis takes a spiritual and emotional toll. By Laura Akins. Published Nov. 17, 2020.
• ‘Prayers of perfect strangers’ uplift minister, wife in COVID-19 battle: Mitch Wilburn’s faith and his driven spirit help him fight. By Chellie Ison. Published Nov. 11, 2020.
• Online worship during pandemic helps prepare astronaut for space mission: NASA’s Victor Glover is taking his Bible and communion cups to the International Space Center. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Nov. 10, 2020.
• A long, lonely lockdown: Amid restrictions, Christian care homes struggle to be the family their residents can’t see. By Erik Tryggestad. Published Oct. 20, 2020.
Knox Watson and his grandmother, Judy Forrester, press their hands against a window at Tealridge, an independent living facility in Oklahoma City, as they say goodbye. Watson’s sister, Nora, and their dog, Mae, also came to see Forrester, 72.
• Jesus and Wi-Fi: Alaska church helps students during pandemic. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Oct. 12, 2020.
• ‘Zoombombing’ lesson: Racist attack on church highlights online security concerns. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Sept. 29, 2020.
• My grandson, COVID-19 and me: Seeing the once-in-a-century pandemic through the eyes of a 2-year-old. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Sept. 16, 2020.
• An emotional return: After a delay because of COVID-19, worship center reopens at site of deadly Texas church shooting. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Aug. 31, 2020.
Laura Akins holds her 5-year-old daughter, Scout, during a nasal swab test for COVID-19.
• As Christians, let’s end ‘corona culture’: Editor shares her battles of health and faith as she’s suffered through COVID-19. By Laura Akins. Published Aug. 26, 2020.
• As pandemic drags on, suffer the little children: COVID-19 has spared children from the worst of its physical effects, but numbers don’t tell the whole story. By Erik Tryggestad. Published Aug. 24, 2020.
• A minister battling COVID-19 flatlines: For 16 minutes, hospital staff tried to revive him as his family waited in the parking lot. By Chellie Ison. Published Aug. 18, 2020.
• Cutting through COVID-19 confusion: Christians in scientific research offer insight into the confusion surrounding the “novel virus.” By Chellie Ison. Published Aug. 18, 2020.
• After the pandemic, will people return to church?: Some ministers fear the attendance decline will outlive COVID-19. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published Aug. 17, 2020.
• Higher ed plans not written in stone: Amid the pandemic, Christian universities prepare for a fall semester like no other. By Cheryl Mann Bacon. Published July 27, 2020.
Teens wear masks during a baccalaureate service at the Manchester Church of Christ in Connecticut.
• COVID-19 hits churches hard: Congregations across the U.S. wrestle with the spiritual and emotional toll. By Deana Nall. Published July 21, 2020.
• Nurse felt called to serve in New York: Oklahoman Kym Langford witnessed death and hope while caring for numerous patients. Published June 15, 2020.
• More churches resume in-person worship, but COVID-19 brings changes: From social distancing to individual communion packages, congregations take steps to prevent the virus from spreading. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published June 6, 2020.
• Uncle Sam pays some church salaries: Other congregations decline to take advantage of the federal government’s relief bill. By Cheryl Mann Bacon. Published May 5, 2020.
Mike Myers
• ‘It’s the end of an era in youth ministry in Churches of Christ’: Mike Myers, considered a pioneer in youth ministry, dies after battling pneumonia and COVID-19. By Chellie Ison. Published May 1, 2020.
• Serving amid COVID-19, husband and wife try to balance safety and compassion: He leads a disaster relief ministry. She works as an ICU nurse. Avoiding the novel coronavirus is a challenge. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published April 24, 2020.
• COVID-19 challenges Christian relief ministries’ response to spring tornadoes: Churches of Christ adapt practices to serve storm victims during the coronavirus pandemic. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published April 24, 2020.
• Troublesome times: As a global pandemic rages, Churches of Christ adapt to what has changed — and cling to what hasn’t. By Erik Tryggestad. Published April 13, 2020.
• Numbers and beyond, what Churches of Christ need to know about COVID-19: Online giving, virtual worship, isolated youths — dig deeper into these crucial topics. By Cheryl Mann Bacon, Laura Akins and Erin Floyd. Published April 8, 2020.
• A church of Christs: This family built a tiny chapel to inspire their rural community. In the midst of COVID-19, it’s taken on a deeper meaning. By Erik Tryggestad. Published April 6, 2020.
The Christ family’s chapel in rural Oklahoma.
• Survivors urge fellow Christians to take COVID-19 seriously: “I’ve never been that sick for that long in my adult life.” By Chellie Ison. Published April 3, 2020.
• As thousands die from the coronavirus, does Jesus care?: Amid the pandemic, we can put our hope and trust in the Lord. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published March 30, 2020.
• In a pandemic, delivering the bread of life: How one Christian woman lives out her faith for those who need essentials during the coronavirus crisis. By Laura Akins. Published March 24, 2020.
• How Churches of Christ responded when the 1918 ‘Spanish flu’ killed millions: Many congregations canceled services, and some Christians focused on feeding and nursing the poor. By John Mark Hicks. Published March 17, 2020.
• Coronavirus pandemic prompts numerous Churches of Christ to cancel Sunday assemblies: Other congregations meet but with modifications such as individual, prepackaged communion. By Bobby Ross Jr. Published March 15, 2020.
• Pandemic, pandemonium and peace: As coronavirus causes cancellations worldwide, Churches of Christ practice fellowship online. By Erik Tryggestad. Published March 14, 2020.
BOBBY ROSS JR. is Editor-in-Chief of The Christian Chronicle. Reach him at [email protected].
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