DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – While church leaders across Montgomery County made the difficult decision to suspend services this past Sunday due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, a young Pastor in Sims chose to approach the situation a little differently.
Dakota Barrett, Pastor at Lone Valley Church in Sims, moved his service to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds where he officiated a “Drive In” Church Service Sunday morning.
Barrett joined a growing group of church leaders across the country who moved their services outside to allow people to social distance in their cars while attending a church service. Religion is a big part of Montgomery County’s social structure and church attendance is a major part of many people’s lives. Barrett and his church join others who are trying to meet the spiritual needs of their congregation while protecting their physical health.
Barrett stated earlier in the week that he didn’t want to close the doors of his church, but acknowledged that it was the right thing to do. He pointed out that the Bible states we are to obey our governmental leaders. If they say there are to be no social gatherings larger than 10 people then his church was going to comply.
The “Drive In” Church Service is a compromise that in his eyes allows him to obey the law of the land while remaining obedient to the Will of God.
The service was well attended Sunday morning with everyone remaining in their vehicles while Barrett walked around in the rain, Bible in hand, preaching from the book of Daniel. The service hearkens back to the 1950’s and preachers like Robert Schuller who held services in drive in theaters.
Lone Valley Church was one of several in Montgomery County that suspended church services Sunday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many churches turned to Facebook Live and other digital platforms to provide access to a worship service, or a sermon.
Facebook was filled with Facebook Live broadcasts of a variety of spiritual lesson opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided churches with an opportunity to dip their toes in the digital ministry waters. While the suspension of church services may be temporary, some may decide to continue to broadcast online through Facebook, Youtube, or other digital venues.
Just as the drive in services of old provided Schuller and others with an opportunity to reach more people, digital platforms allow churches to reach people where they are. Caddo Gap Baptist Church, which has an average attendance of less than 20, had over 60 views of their pastor’s sermon from Sunday.
While people struggle with the constraints of social distancing, local churches will continue in their effort to provide some level of familiarity in people’s lives as they look for ways to share their faith and message.
