SOUTH BEND, Ind. (RNS) — It was sunny and 73 degrees, the perfect day for a baseball game.
But that’s not why the crowd filled the stands Sunday (Sept. 20) at Four Winds Field in South Bend, Indiana, home of the South Bend Cubs.
They were there for a church service, complete with worship leaders on the third-base line and Scriptures on the Jumbotron.
South Bend City Church — a 4-year-old church that draws on a number of Christian traditions for its music, messages and mantras — has been meeting at the minor league ballpark since the novel coronavirus pandemic threw a curveball into large gatherings like worship services.
“In March, we shut down gatherings pretty quickly, and we’re really, really grateful to work with the Cubs to have a place that’s safe and spread out and be outdoors,” said Jason Miller, lead pastor of South Bend City Church.
Amid stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, churches across the country have found creative ways to touch base with their members this year.
Many churches have moved online. But, Miller said, it’s not the same when Christianity “is inherently communal.”
“Digital is great. It’s a wonderful tool. But I think we all know the difference between Zooming your parents and hugging them at Thanksgiving,” he said.
Those churches that have continued to meet in person in their buildings have done so with…
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