Expand Your Impact for August

If you cannot see images, please [click here]( [Shop CTA Products]( [Shop CTA Products]( [Women'sMinistry]( [Men'sMinistry]( [Children'sMinistry]( [GeneralMinistry]( [CTAAdvantage]( August 2021 [Return, Reengage, Reignite]( By Kristin Schultz Calling the last seventeen months a roller coaster is an understatement. With a decrease of COVID-19 cases and the availability of vaccines, churches and ministries are opening their doors and taking steps toward something more similar to 2019 than 2020. While this return to normal . . . [Read More]( [Shop]( tips & trends Reemerging From a Pandemic With fall just around the corner, planning is in full swing. As in 2020, this year probably looks different for you and your staff as you look to reopen your ministries. As you prayerfully prepare for the fall and Christmas seasons, it may be tempting to dust off pre-pandemic plans. Even as cases seem to drop, we must continue to consider our community’s health and safety. In your planning, pray that the Lord would guide you to meet the needs of his people and of those who don’t know him yet. In addition, stay informed about local and national regulations, restrictions, and guidance, and plan accordingly. 5 Tips for Adult Ministry - Gauge the comfort levels of adults who may have been hosting small groups in their homes.Are they still comfortable hosting? If so, how many people are they comfortable having into their homes? Do they prefer that everyone in the group be vaccinated or wear a mask? - Consider continuing online meetings for some ministries. Some people may be more likely to participate in a weekday Bible study if they don’t have to commute to church. - Keep online worship options for those who cannot get to church. Keep up with online viewers through calls and emails to ensure they are engaged and their needs are being met. - Host events outside as the weather allows. Bible studies don’t have to take place inside a house or inside the church. If you gather outdoors, have a picnic meal before a study or a bonfire after. - Be aware of financial hardships, such as unemployment, that may prevent people from participating in trips as they had in the past. 4 Tips for Children’s Ministry - Reconnect with previous volunteers to assess their situation. Women were more likely to leave the workplace during the pandemic and many of your volunteers may have more or less time than they did before. - Obtain guidance from local or national sources to determine if you need to implement any additional cleaning or masking protocols. If no guidance is available, decide as a staff what the best course of action is. - Assess your physical space to make sure there is enough room for the children. Sunday school grade levels may need to be combined or broken up to ensure that there isn’t too much crowding in classrooms. - Consider the activities and try to spend as much time outside as possible. Steer clear of games that require very close contact. Spread out during snack time. If you have a policy for sending children home or back to their parents if they are sick, stick to it. Emerging from a pandemic is new for all of us. We will try things that work and things that fail. Be encouraged knowing that your brothers and sisters in Christ across the country are facing similar decisions and struggles. Pray for them as they are praying for you. bonus And now for a little something extra. . . From articles to devotions to activity ideas and how-to lists, CTA Blog has useful resources to help you and your ministry. [Read More. . .]( [Alone]( [Read More]( [Read More. . .]( [Running Together]( [Read More]( [Read More. . .]( [Unbreakable Bond]( [Read More]( [Women'sMinistry]( [Men'sMinistry]( [Children'sMinistry]( [GeneralMinistry]( [CTAAdvantage]( CTA, Inc. 1653 LARKIN WILLIAMS ROAD, FENTON, MO 63026, United States customerservice@ctainc.com []( This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you've subscribed on our site or made a purchase. [Unsubscribe]( | [Edit preferences](