A NEW NORMAL

1. A New Normal

a) Until a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine is available, there will continue to be a risk of infection, even as people get back to work, school and a more normal life. 

b) The protective practices we have learned continue to protect us and our family while slowing the spread of the corona virus. 

c) These practices include social and physical distancing, hand washing, wearing a face mask, and practicing safe grocery shopping and food handling, and continue to practice mindfulness and stress relief especially during stay-at-home orders.

d) The current prevailing situation will continue to plague us and is expected to remain so for a while.

e) Churches are not spared. Even though they are allowed for social and physical gathering, they would still have to observe safe protective practices. 

f) In view of this, physical church attendance has deliberately been decreased and social exposure is limited in churches. Thus the churches have to resort to social media to reach out to the rest of their members.

g) Even with the help of social media tools, the reaching out to their intended audience may somewhat be limited. Now, the audience have many choices. They can choose to see their own church programs or from others. 

h) So the onus now is on the church programs and her speakers. In the past, the audience has no other choices but to listen to the monologue speaker. Now they can switch to others if they find it boring or not attractive enough to spend their time. They have the option now to comment and give feedback in the social media platforms.

i) Churches may now have to look inwardly to find ways to meet the needs of the audience. They not only target their members but also have the opportunity to attract other visitors as well. Perhaps an evaluation of existing programs and speakers may help. This is something that should not be totally ignored!