Reverend Gilbert A. Ruffin Jr. and Reverend James C. Turner, Jr, 2nd Episcopal District
Doing Church Differently
Reverend Gilbert A. Ruffin Jr. and Reverend James C. Turner, Jr, 2nd Episcopal District
We are experiencing a revolution of change in business, politics, society, and the world in general. As the COVID-19 pandemic exploded on the scene, everything changed! Any business agile and forward-leaning in technological strategies and approaches quickly adjusted and became super successful in cornering their markets. Existing and new technologies such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and over-the-top (OTT) media services like Apple TV, Roku, and Disney+ changed the way that the public approached everyday tasks of meeting and viewing information. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was also forced to adapt to this revolution of change in order to survive and thrive. Those AME churches that were forward-leaning in their technological strategies and approaches quickly adjusted and were successful in maintaining and growing their viewership and participation.
Yet, even in the midst of this revolution of change, the church must continue to evolve and do church differently. While viewership and offerings may point to some measure of success, discipleship and volunteerism point to a different type of issue experienced by the church. The gathered church, while absolutely necessary, must further adapt and change if it is to accomplish the objectives of the AME Church. It must realize that the number of members who will return to the building or gathering place, as has traditionally been the case, is an unknown that must be accounted for as it moves into this new frontier. It must not only train all members in Christian discipleship and leadership but also move beyond training and execute continuing programs that will enhance the entire social development of all people.
As the gathered church adjusts to this new frontier, maybe it is time to revise the model of church ministry, which is governed through the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church. Maybe it is time to do church differently. In the midst of this pandemic, Bishop James Levert Davis, the Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, decided to renew Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Washington, DC as a 100% virtual church. It is believed that Christ Our Redeemer AME Virtual Church (CORAMEVC) is the first and possibly only 100% AME virtual church of its kind in African Methodism. This scattered church approach with no central meeting place or building does church differently. At CORAMEVC, one of our main objectives is moving from training to executing Christian discipleship and leadership in community-based events. The community-based forums and events serve as our gatherings. Here, disciples of Christ are called upon and encouraged to engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African Society in seeking out and saving the lost and serving the needy. Sunday morning worship is our virtual filling station for the week as we serve in partnership with public schools, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit those who are bound or imprisoned. These are our moments of worship as we serve Christ and the Community. This is where the scattered church gathers in service and true discipleship.
Christ Our Redeemer AME Virtual Church is working to expand discipleship opportunities and do church differently by taking the church to the people in need while expanding the community of believers in lieu of waiting for the people to return to the church. While the challenges of discipleship and volunteerism are the same for the gathered and the scattered church, we believe that engaging the community where they are is a great model for doing church differently in this new era of revolutionary change. While this is not a novel approach, it is being re-emphasized through this new model of virtual church ministry. In addition, because the virtual church model does not require a building, which can exceed 20% of the church’s budget, it repurposes these funds into community ministry efforts. The Reverend Gilbert A. Ruffin, Jr. states, “Sure, there will be times when we will need to gather as a church for weddings, funerals, baptisms, and routine church services, but these will be accounted for as we strive to emphasize the more public aspects of worship and discipleship in the communities in which we’re call to serve. The Virtual Church inverts the model of ministry from the building as the central place of worship, to the communities where we serve as the central focus and places of worship.”
As we do church differently, the AME Church is already pursuing avenues to offset church expenses through community development corporations (CDCs) and other business ventures. Community development corporations invest in real estate assets which the church can utilize. We see community centers, recreational centers, adult/senior residency centers, and other real estate assets being developed through CDCs. “Through CDCs,” the Reverend Turner states, “We are able to generate new and unique ways the church can engage the community to ensure their needs are met on a long-term basis. It is imperative that the church begins to reimagine and innovate the methods it uses to connect and walk beside the community so that all are empowered to make a difference for our future.” In addition, existing AME church infrastructure can also be utilized through local church partnerships. As we leverage these avenues, as well as those yet to be determined, we seek to do church differently. We see the virtual church as a central cog to this new era of doing church differently and cannot wait to see what God will do next.
The Reverend Gilbert A. Ruffin, Jr. and the Reverend James C. Turner, Jr. are the pastors of Christ Our Redeemer AME Virtual Church in Upper Marlboro, MD. Visit them on the following online platforms: Facebook: www.facebook.com/coramevc, Website: christourredeemeramecww.org, and YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZPC5Akxkj3a6kud9fd4GaA.
