8 Things Your Church Can Do to Prepare for Inclement Weather Days


Many churches in our area closed today due to extreme cold and dangerous driving conditions. With modern technology, churches can afford to be more concerned about their members safety, especially young children and the elderly. Plan in advance for inclement weather options:


  1. Stream a simple worship format using single worship leader or prepare some advance video footage from a previous worship service. Stream sermon using a laptop camera from the safety of your own home. Share in advance how members can find your streamed service or post links using social media, website notice, mass email, etc. at least 10 minutes in advance.
  2. If streaming is not possible for you, record the sermon using your laptop camera and post on YouTube, GodTube, or Vimeo. Share info with church.
  3. If video is not possible, post the sermon text as a blog for others to read.
  4. If you just do not use online tools, provide printed family worship guides that can be used when church is canceled for inclement weather. Update this at least twice per year so that families can also use these while on vacations.


Some other worship elements that you should plan in advance how to handle when people cannot attend your church in person.


  1. Communion - provide members with portable communion sets for their family. Share how to use these in advance and ask members to be prepared to use when on vacation, when too ill to attend, when weather prohibits their attendance, etc. Your elderly members will really appreciate this consideration.
  2. Tithing - offer online giving options for members to give their tithe even if services are not possible. Members tend to forget about their tithes when they miss a service. Online giving is a must in today's culture. Remind your people often how to give online.
  3. Worship music - provide CDs of your worship team, worship choir, or hymns for members to listen to when they cannot attend church. This will help them feel connected to their church family.
  4. Fellowship - organize a Google Hangouts or Facebook Group page where members can communicate with each other. There are many other social media tools, including church membership software that offer these types of options. Many of your members miss the fellowship time as much as any other aspect of worship. Remember, the church is a family.

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