Moving to an online church

Kempshott Methodist Church in southwest Basingstoke had been open for 110 years. Originally a small turn-of-the-century rural tin chapel for farmers, it had become surrounded by housing estates. Thirty years ago, the church was quite busy but then things began to decline with the upkeep of the building becoming increasingly problematic.

“Eventually we were averaging around a dozen people on a Sunday morning,” says Colin How, Church Secretary. “We had tried to increase awareness of the church with leaflet drops and events but it was apparent that this wasn’t going to work for us, so we began discussions on how we were going to move forward.”

Then came COVID.

At the beginning of the pandemic, Colin was part of the managing team of a local hospice who were meeting online using Zoom. “Recognising the Zoom format was a way for us to have services during lockdown, it was mentioned to our then minister and members of the congregation who all embraced the initiative.

“When things returned to normal, we decided to still hold online services three times a month and in the physical church once a month. As time progressed, we were attracting more people to our online services than those in the church. The building was only used by a couple of outside groups and becoming more expensive to maintain for so few people. Our online Wednesday Fellowship was becoming an important diary slot for an increasing number of people.” 

Eventually, the Senior Steward, Charmian, proposed that they moved entirely online and that was unanimously agreed.  While plans were being made to sell the building, they were busy preparing their new website, the cornerstone of their new church, now renamed the Church of the Living Stream.

“You need very little technology to join us.  Initially a few needed help to access the online services but, with the new website, we have made it as easy as we can. A single button gives direct access to the online services and fellowships. This enabled most of the congregation to make a successful transition with others even joining from across the country and from different denominations.”

The new way of meeting has made the church more accessible for many.  

“People who may not have been willing to read in church are happy to read online and many who found physical attendance difficult have been able to attend from home. A member living with mobility issues who found travelling to church difficult, has been able to worship regularly. Another member who had been unable to attend a service in a building due to having a weakened immune system has been able to maintain their fellowship.

“We are pleased with how it’s going so far”, says Colin.  “God was moving, through COVID, through prayers, through thinking and, through inspired co-operation within the church and circuit, God enabled us to go forward.

“In the physical church all you get to see is the back of peoples’ heads, online we can see everyone’s faces”

Revd Katie Tupling is one of our keynote speakers at our Exploring Digital online conference on Saturday 30 September. She says, “In 2020 the 'physical' church moved online, leaving behind buildings where we once gathered, and instead turning on cameras and gathering around laptops. We took the Church, and God, online - whilst using the language of longing to be 'back in person' once the pandemic was under control. There was talk of Church Online as a place of Exile, and a desire to 'go home to church done properly'.”

Exploring the question, ‘what does it mean to be church?’ Katie will be sharing some insights into the themes of presence, accessibility, inclusion and belonging. It’s not too late to sign up for the day. Details and booking here www.methodist.org.uk/ExploringDigital/