The pandemic of the Corona Virus has brought in many changes into almost all aspects of human lives, with many unpredictables becoming the new normal.

Celestial Church as a conservative Christian institution has always been reluctant in accepting changes, although the most accepted faction of the Church, Ketu, seems to align with some liberal ideologies, but this is often resisted by a group of members who are averse to new concepts and still want the church to hold on to it traditional ways.

However, this pandemic has come to tell celestians that life is not about as it was in the beginning, so shall it always be, but that there must be an allowance for change, as the church must move from being conservative and theoretical to becoming liberal and pragmatic, so as to be able to function effectively as a church in a world that is filled with uncertainties.






Therefore, the leadership of every administrative organs of the church, most importantly the Pastor in Council of all the factions in the Church and various parochial committees or church management committees must;



1. Invest in digital technology

Churches who had invested massively in digital technology and have being creating digital contents over the years, smiled and never had any problem convincing their members to stay and observed services from home.

The argument may be that the church and most parishes have social media platforms, but truth be told the quality of the contents shown at these parishes are poor, as there will be the need to invest in high resolution cameras, phones, shot gun and wireless microphone, softwares, desktop or laptop computers, amongst others. Also those who will operate these devices need to be properly trained especially on basic etiquette in handling these devices.

2. Introduce electronic payments in offering and tithe collections

Some conservative hardliners had in the past condemned the introduction of electronic payments in the church. An example of such argument can be seen here. The church and various parishes must at a matter of fact introduce various options of electronic payments during the collection of offerings and tithes. Before now, some parishes have adopted this method but more parishes need to key into this as members can be able to support their parishes whenever they are to do so irrespective of distance.






3. Comprehensive update of members' data.

Despite the good intention of requesting for the bank details of clergies during the lockdown, it was worrisome that the church doesn't have the details of her workers.

Any church/parish worth its salt would embark on getting to have all necessary data of her members and this data should not be limited to names, home addresses and phone numbers alone. The bank account details, occupations and other necessary information should be obtained and kept secured so as to respect the privacy of parishioners.



4. Create additional income, save and invest for raining days

A good look at the books of our parishes shows that most of them could not substain themselves this period and many could not pay the salary of their clergies nor afford to give pallatives to parishioners in need without resorting to seeking for help from well to do members.

The era of depending on offerings to the manage the church expenses is over, as every parish would need to look for how to earn more income such as the rental of shops and halls, embarking in small and medium scale enterprises. Also investment options through bonds, treasury bills, fixed deposits, stock exchange, etc should be looked into.

5. Organise online programs and services

It is important for every parish that intend to pass the test of time to embark on online programs and services and should encourage members in rotational forms to attend these services from their homes. Online presence at places of worship is now the new normal.

6. Quality Sermons

This is one area we often shy away from as a church. We do not want to tell ourselves that a good number of those who mount our pulpits for sermons are often not prepared, cannot deliver quality sermons and are not qualified by reputation. We need to ensure that those who mount our pulpits after this pandemic are those who truly should because they can feed God's people as it should be done not by the position they hold.






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