Guidelines for virtual and in-person meetings

The challenges of the pandemic have lasted for at least a year and have caused suffering to many people. The Seventh-day Adventist Church remains attentive to this situation and emphasizes the need to enhance care in the conduct of worship services and programs. It is important that in-person or virtual meetings be evaluated by local leaders through careful risk assessment, scenarios, and social impact. Meetings should only occur with the support of the respective Associations/Missions administration and as long as they do not conflict with local health regulations and conditions. The following recommendations should be considered:

1. Worship, Meetings, and Digital Attention
   1. Emphasize the practice of health measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing, hand hygiene, and temperature checks.
   2. Prioritize the use of Zoom (or similar resources) for meetings to foster interaction and engagement among participants.
   3. Regularly assess safety conditions for in-person worship services and the need for virtual meetings.
   4. Enhance worship and Sabbath School programs to cater to the virtual audience.
   5. Guide those in high-risk groups, showing flu or COVID-19 symptoms, or who have been in contact with infected individuals to participate in meetings virtually.
   6. Assist interested individuals through the church’s communication channels.
   7. Conduct in-person activities with children and adolescents only when authorization for in-person classes is granted in local schools.
2. Church Buildings
   1. Respect social distancing in all meetings, avoiding gatherings.
   2. Adopt health measures in all areas of the church building.
3. Pastors
   1. Lead by example in health precautions and use of PPEs.
   2. Mobilize the church for a strong movement of prayer and Bible study.
   3. Organize a plan to care for members and interested parties.
   4. Strengthen the church’s mission engagement in the digital environment.
   5. Intensify care for families in vulnerable situations.
   6. Emphasize daily family worship.
   7. Organize teams of healthcare professionals in local churches to assist and guide members on health precautions.
   8. Respect health regulations when performing baptisms and Communion.
4. Associations and Missions
   1. Prioritize activities related to the local church.
   2. Conduct meetings and training virtually when there is an increase in risks associated with in-person formats.
   3. Reinforce strategic emphases virtually or in-person:
      • Visitation. Reaffirm the importance of pastoral care.
      • Worship. Conduct worship services adapted to the digital reality, strengthening biblical preaching.
      • Mobilization. Reinforce the concept of discipleship (Fellowship, Relationship, and Mission) through small groups and action units.