COVID-19 UPDATES

A: Yes. Masks are required for all indoor activities in accordance with state guidelines. We will have masks available for anyone who wants to wear one, but doesn’t have access to one.

A: To your first question, nursery for birth to 2 years old is currently open with the remaining family ministry areas opening with baby steps in the coming weeks. We are excited to have them in a brand new space that is best suited for operating in this moment in time with COVID-19 and PPE requirements. As to your second question, yes. We will be checking with volunteers on their health before they serve, as well as temperature checks of all staff and volunteers weekly. Each volunteer will stay home if they are feeling sick, have a fever, or showing any other symptoms.

Also, children will receive activity bags that are sanitized after each weekend and refilled with new materials to keep them engaged during services.

A: Yes, all churches and businesses are required to keep seating at a 6ft distance. Our seating has been limited to 50% capacity and will have reservations as needed for each week’s services, along with overflow in the theater of our new Family Ministry Center.

A: We love this question. During this time of change, we would encourage people to ask before going in strong for a hug. Be mindful of others and make sure they are open to a bear squeeze or simply a fist bump or elbow bump. Some people will want to keep their distance for now, and we will be respectful of where each person lands during this time.

A: Truthfully, we don’t think “normal” has ever really worked for us at Forefront Church. We like to fit what we do to our community and city to reach people far from God. We are positive we will emerge from isolation with many lessons learned, new ways to approach connection, and holding on to the essentials of loving people with reckless abandon. We hope that we never get settled into anything comfortable, but always keep pushing to be people helping people to find and follow Jesus.

A: We will have pre-packaged communion that each person will receive on the way in, so we are not passing trays through the auditorium. Offering will be done at stations as people enter and exit the auditorium as well. Children will receive activity bags that are sanitized after each weekend and refilled with new materials to keep them engaged during services.

A: Short answer, it has impacted us in a good way. Attendance is up. We have more people engaging services than when we were in person. Isn’t that awesome? We have members of our church who’ve never been to the building before. As far as giving, people’s generosity has been phenomenal. We cannot remember a time in the last 8 years that giving was this strong. We’ve always had a generous church family, but this has cemented the fact that we are a church that knows what it means to be generous. Finally, the new building slowed down during the initial isolation period, but it’s picked right back up and is currently open. We are working through a minimal punch list to get it fully functioning in the coming weeks.

A: In the event someone tests positive and has attended a gathering at Forefront Church, our first goal is to care for the person. They are required to quarantine for a 14 day period. We will do everything we can for them to help ease their burden. Next, we would immediately contact anyone that may have come into contact with the person that tested positive. As we contact people, we are required by the local health department to contact them and see what further steps need to be taken.

A: As we did in this time of mandates, we would follow the guidance of our federal and state authorities to comply in any way we needed to. We’ve seen that God can move during a time of isolation, so we will choose to move in faith and not fear, while also honoring the authorities that are in place.

A: Yes. We ask everyone to use their own discretion when deciding when and how to come back. If you are more prone to infection, please follow the direction of your doctors and medical experts.

A: This is Jason answering this one. You are very kind to ask that. Our staff has been amazingly resilient during this. They all basically were fired from their current jobs and rehired for a much different role. It has led to longer work hours, learning new technology, and engaging people in new ways to keep people connected. They are doing well. Honestly they are all a little tired. Working in this way has not been easy on pastors, counselors, and others helping people navigate isolation and a global pandemic. We’re proud of them and have continually encouraged breaks, creating margin, and shutting off devices when able. If you think about it, send them a note to say thank you and maybe share a story of how they’ve helped you. A little note goes a long way.