“It was really, really hard preaching to a congregation that was not there,” Ruby said.
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Not unlike a performer or entertainer, having a live audience enhances religious leaders’ messages. Staring out into the empty pews just wasn’t the same.
“It was hard, you’re looking for a nod, some reaction. I want services to be warm, personal,” he said.
For this Sunday’s service, he’ll have an audience of sorts. Looking around the church, there were numerous photos of its members, so Ruby decided to run copies of those pictures, taped them to the pews and his audience will be there in spirit if not in person.
“Now I have an audience to look at,” he said, smiling.
Pastor Jeremy Hudson of Fellowship Church of Springfield’s Spring Hills campus, is going live through its Facebook page for the first time on Sunday. Last weekend’s service was taped.
“It is a challenge,” Hudson said. “At our sanctuary at Upper Valley, we were preaching to blue lights. If you’re a public speaker, even in the moment you’re taking in feedback.”
Fellowship has the unique advantage of a lot of technology as it runs the Center City Studios located at Commerce Pointe in downtown Springfield. The organization has had conversations on the best uses of its equipment and this situation clarified it.
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“We’ve been gifted with these resources, there’s a live room and a v-log room, we have a team and several video components,” said Hudson.
Ruby and Hudson acknowledge the steps taken now are a turning point.
“This is definitely going to change the landscape. When we come out of this, we can never go back, we’ll value things differently,” Hudson said.
“We’re figuring this out as we go along,” added Ruby.
Many religious organizations are stepping up to help their communities at this time. Central Christian is offering its parishioners communion supplies wrapped in small bags they can pick up at its offices or even outside it.
Fellowship’s vision is to impact Springfield, reaching out to local and state agencies to see what’s needed. It’s also looking at how its other resources can help such as the studio.
Ruby has reached out to churches across Ohio to encourage them to ring their bells at noon on Sunday, March 22 as a sign that God is with us.
“Down through history churches have rung their bells as a source of encouragement, and as a call to prayer and worship,” said Ruby. “We’re encouraging churches across Ohio to join us in ringing their church bells each Sunday that we are not able to meet for services at the church.”
As part of this, Central Christian will have an informal event in its parking lot, 1504 Villa Rd., called “Park, Pray & Praise” at that time. Church members and the community are invited to pull in the lot, put down their windows and listen to praise music and share prayer requests. Requests can be made at ccspringfield.org.
“A month ago, nobody saw this coming, we were planning Easter services,” said Hudson. “One thing I’m 100 percent confident about is this is when differences are set aside. We live in a city and community that cares about each other. If that’s not the heartbeat of a church, I don’t know what is.”
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