We're all facing disruption right now. Coronavirus and COVID-19 have radically altered our daily lives, and we're doing our best to be flexible as we adjust to a new normal. But amidst anxiety and disorientation, one thing is certain—we're coming together even as we practice social distancing, whether it's in virtual spaces, in our homes, or as a world community. Christian community is just as important now as ever, so use these tips and resources to stay hopeful while we're together at home.

Build a New Kind of Community

It's so easy to feel isolated as we work from home and pivot our gatherings to virtual spaces. Here are some ways to build an intentional community from the safety of our own homes.

• Utilize technology to gather and stay in contact with your loved ones and social groups. Try Zoom, Marco Polo, or Skype.
• Start a virtual book club. Chances are you have more time to read right now, so grab that book you've been meaning to get to and invite your friends to do the same! Many IVP books have free discussion guides for just that purpose. Need book ideas?
• Support small businesses by taking some time to write reviews of products and services you love on their websites and places like Yelp, Goodreads, and Amazon.
• Love your neighbor through social distancing. It feels counterintuitive to stay away from those in need when we have time to help. But staying a safe distance away is putting a priority on your community's health.
  • Read "The Christian Response to the Coronavirus: Stay Home" by IVP author Esau McCaulley in the New York Times.
  • Read "9 Ways to Love Your Neighbor in This Pandemic" by IVP author Justin Whitmel Earley at The Gospel Coalition.
• Act with compassion as you make decisions for your business or organization. It's hard to know how to move forward when there are so many unknowns. Let compassion and care for people be your guiding ethic.
  • Read "An Open Letter to Civic and Business Leaders: The Cure to COVID-19 Begins with Compassion" from IVP author and business leader Sundrawn Thomas.
• Be kind to those who are marginalized or mistreated. Don't give into ignorant cultural assumptions or forget about the most vulnerable among us.
  • Listen to the first episode of IVP author Mae Elise Cannon's new #Activism podcast, "#COVID19 and Racism with Kathy Khang."
  • Listen to "I am Not a Virus!" from the Someday Is Here podcast, featuring Seana Reavis, Eugene Cho, Judy Wu Dominick, and IVP Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives Helen Lee.
  • Watch this Good Morning America piece about how IVP author Terence Lester and his organization Love Beyond Walls is teaming up with Christian rapper Lecrae to provide portable hand washing stations for those experiencing homelessness in Atlanta.

Equip Your Church for Refreshed Discipleship

The church has an unprecedented opportunity to provide hope, teaching, and community during this time. We want to equip local congregations and ministry teams with the resources they need to do just that.

Free Webinars:

• "COVID-19 Church Online Summit" from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College and the National Association of Evangelicals
• "Reading Hope in Trying Times" from Writing for Your Life featuring IVP authors Philip Yancey, Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, and Kathy Khang
• "Soul Care—Peace for Caregivers in Troubled Times" with IVP author Todd Hunber are live, weekly 30-minute experiences on Zoom starting Wednesday, April 8 at 2 pm CST
• "Where is God in a Pandemic? A Conversation Between Tim Keller and Francis Collins" hosted by Biologos on May 18 at 8 pm ET

Podcasts:

• "Worship and Sacrament When the Church Is Scattered" from the Center for Pastor Theologians
• "Is Digital Church the Right Response to COVID-19?" with IVP author Jay Kim on the Daily Growth Discipleship Podcast
• "Leading Beyond the Blizzard: Why Every Organization Is Now a Startup" with IVP author Andy Crouch and Dave Blanchard on the Redemptive Edge podcast
• Stetzer Leadership Podcast Season 1: Leadership and The Coronavirus Crisis with guests including IVP authors Jamie Aten, Terri Watson, Andy Crouch, Esau McCaulley, and more
• "Listening and Responding to God Amidst the COVID-19 Crisis" on IVP author Ruth Haley Barton's Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast
• "Why Urban Churches Aren't Staying Home" with IVP author Jonathan Brooks on the Quick to Listen podcast from Christianity Today
• "Francis Collins | Coronavirus Updates with NIH Director" on the Language of God podcast from Biologos
• "John Walton | Coronavirus and the Book of Job" on the Language of God podcast from Biologos

Articles & Resources:

• Churches Helping Churches Initiative: the AND Campaign and other ministry organizations are coming together to assist congregations in low-income communities in urban areas that have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 economic shutdown
• "How to Lead Online Worship Without Losing Your Soul—or Body" by IVP author W. David O. Taylor in Christianity Today
• "Real Presence and Social Distancing" by Chris Bruno from the Center for Pastor Theologians
• "Preparing Your Church for Coronavirus (COVID-19)" from IVP authors Jamie Aten and Kent Annan at the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College
• "25 Creative Church Ministry Ideas During COVID-19" by IVP author J. Scott McElroy
• "Grieving Is Leading" by IVP author Jonathan K. Dodson at Christianity Today
• "Comfort in a Time of Communal Suffering" by IVP author Wendy Alsup at Red Letter Christians
• "Called to Endurance: The Church and the Coronavirus" featuring an interview with IVP author Trillia Newbell by Rachel Sinclair at Facts & Trends
• "Navigating the Unknown: Adaptive Leadership in Highly Anxious Times" by IVP author Tod Bolsinger at Missio Alliance
• "Guide to Reopening Church Services" from IVP authors Kent Annan, Jamie Aten, and more at the Humanitarian Disaster Institute
• "Caring for Neighbors from a Distance: How Churches Support the Community in a Pandemic" from Missio Alliance

Commit to Reading Your Bible Like Never Before

This is the perfect opportunity to refresh your daily devotionals with increased focus and time. Use these resources for deeper Bible study.

• Use IVP's Daily Quiet Time Bible Study. With a new reading and Scripture study every day, this is a great place to start each day's devotional time.
• Invest in a new daily devotional book. IVP has a wide selection of devotionals and resources for more informed Scripture study.
• Try a free study from one of our bestselling LifeGuide^® Bible Studies, just in time for the Easter season. 
• Listen to podcasts that supplement Bible study, like this one from IVP author Carmen Imes on the Bible.
• Read about how Scripture reading brought hope during a nine-day hospital quarantine for Juanita Rasmus, author of Learning to Be.

Get Creative with Your Kids

Are you suddenly a full-time caregiver and instant homeschooler? Here are some ideas for supporting the academic, emotional, and spiritual needs of your children.

• Start spiritual conversations and pray with your kids. You can watch this sample lesson from IVP author Jared Boyd from his book Imaginative Prayer.
• Encourage creativity—arts and crafts have no age limit! Taking a break from working at home will be welcome for adults in the house as well.
• Have family Bible story time. Reading the Bible together lays a spiritual foundation for your entire family and provides irreplaceable bonding time.
• Talk to them thoughtfully about this crisis. Need ideas for how to handle the tough conversations? Check out the Family COVID-19 Toolkit from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College.

Invest in Your Mental Health

The loss of physical community and regular social spaces can greatly affect our mental health. It's important to be proactive about the possibilities of depression, anxiety, and isolation within our own spirits and for those in our community.

• Watch "Hope Amidst Anxiety and Covid-19," a video webinar with Skip McDonald, author of the LifeGuide Bible Study Anxiety.
• Gear up with online training courses. During this time, courses like this one from Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries are being offered for free for churches and small groups.
• Utilize apps and digital chat resources as a listening ear when you're alone. Services like Crisis Text Line and Talkspace offer instant messaging for those struggling with mental health issues. You can also download this thorough Coronavirus information kit from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
• Read the CDC's free resources for stress and coping geared towards communities, families and children, first responders, and more.
• Recognize and appreciate biblical lament in the article "5 Things to Know About Lament" by IVP author Glenn Packiam at N.T. Wright Online.

Try a New Spiritual Practice

Add to your toolkit of spiritual disciplines and try some new ones to help you grow closer to God in these unprecedented times.

• Watch videos that feature guided practices from experts. All you'll have to do is listen and invite God to move.
  • Watch Morning Reflection with Diana Shiflett, author of Spiritual Practices in Community.
  • Watch Slow: A 5-Minute Retreat from IVP author Gem Fadling.
  • Practice this guided visio divina with IVP author Lacy Finn Borgo.
• Plan a personal retreat day. Usually it's hard to find solitude and silence. Take advantage of alone time to try a personal retreat.
  • Read a free excerpt from Invitation to Retreat by Ruth Haley Barton, and watch this video on why she says retreat is a vital practice for Christians today.
  • Get creative with this online retreat from Christine Sine, author of The Gift of Wonder.
• Focus on prayer—stressful times call for an increase in prayer!
  • Join the global church in praying these "20 Prayers to Pray During This Pandemic" from IVP author Jen Pollock Michel in Christianity Today.
  • Participate in this video prayer exercise alongside John Starke, author of The Possibility of Prayer. You can also download his free Lenten prayer guide.
  • Use this COVID-19 prayer calendar from IVP author Dominique Gilliard.
  • Join this virtual Good Friday prayer vigil from IVP author Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center.
• Try journaling to help you creatively sort out your thoughts and prayers during this time. You might be surprised which insights you'll discover when you put pen to paper.