The Canadian Baptists of Western Canada recommends all churches and pastors adhere to all provincial public health regulations and recommendations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’re Here for You During COVID-19

We’ve all been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic relationally, socially, psychological, physically or economically. As Christ followers, this is a time where we can nuance the narrative of fear and anxiety to one shaped by hope. As a family of churches, let’s continue to pray for one another!

On this page, you’ll find access to resources, ideas and reference materials you can use personally and for your church. And we’re just a phone call away if you have any questions. 

Meeting in Person? Here's What You Need to Know

We wish to be responsible citizens and stay informed of the continued risks and precautions associated with this pandemic. Our churches must navigate this season faithfully and safely. Our national, provincial and local government health authorities are still our best source of that information.

We encourage you to read through the Guide to Reopening Churches from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute and Canadian Baptist of Atlantic Canada’s 2020 Church Reopening Plan. Then, check out these resources based on your province:

 

British Columbia & Yukon:

*As of November 23rd, at 3:00 pm, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix announced that the 50-person indoor gathering limit has been suspended immediately for all faith communities across the province. Read more here.

 

Alberta & NWT:

 

Saskatchewan:

Manitoba:

 

*We recommend that churches ask attendees to voluntarily register to assist with public health contact tracing should someone in attendance test positive for COVID-19. Online registration is encouraged as a first choice. If your church is registering attendees on site, you may use the AB Attendance Sheet as a template, taking into account your provincial/territorial guidelines.

Support for Leaders in the Midst of a Pandemic

Easter 2021

CBWC Staff have created a video-based Easter preaching series entitled “Durable Hope” to help lead your congregation through Holy Week – from Palm Sunday through to Celebration Sunday. Click here to view. *Videos available by March 5th*

Online Leadership Tools

Guidance for Holding Annual General Meetings
Dealing with Finances and Church HR

Government Financial Supports

 

Receiving Tithes & Offerings

    • E-transfer instructions: Someone with signing authority on behalf of your church may visit your local bank to register your church’s email address and begin accepting e-transfer donations. Setting up e-transfer this way ensures that all donations are transferred directly from one institution to another, without need of a password. Deposit notifications are emailed to the church identifying the name of the donor and amount of the gift to ensure accurate tax receipting.

 

 

Church HR Resources

Tech Tools for Virtual or Hybrid Church Services

If you’re new to hosting online, livestreamed or hybrid gatherings, you’re not alone! The good news is that there are tons of resources on YouTube and around the web that can point you in the right direction. Here are a few to get you started:

“Any church, regardless of size and location, can reopen safely and faithfully if it will thoughtfully take its time, adapt, and innovate. Remember, the church has never closed. The church remains open, even as we don’t physically gather in our building. All of this so that we might fully love our neighbors as we love ourselves.”  – Alex Shanks, “Why Reopening a Church is Different”

“Esther, please thank the staff on my behalf for the resource ideas. I particularly appreciated the selection of free online meeting apps that were recommended. I’ve found this to be a confusing time but as I prepared for the webcast that I put online last Sunday, it struck me that although I wouldn’t be meeting face to face with my brothers and sisters, I would be meeting with them in God’s Word. The Bible suddenly became holy ground in a new way for me, and I trust it did for my church family as they later joined me online on Sunday morning. Good health and God’s blessing to you all.” –  Brent Reilly

“Thank you for serving us your churches so well! Praying for you all in this time!” – Pam, Strathcona Baptist Edmonton

“CBWC churches I would like to encourage you. At New Life we have been offering to our congregation ways to give/tithe online for many years. New Life is a diverse church of all ages, and all age groups have joined in. So be encouraged at this time! Feel free to contact me on ways to take gifts and tithes online.” – Henry Wikkerink henry@newlife.ca

This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.