Been a while since I’ve been to a drive-in theatre and I’ve never been to one in the daytime but we had drive-in worship this morning. It was novel. Pretty good.
I commend my pastor and staff for setting up this addition to live streaming a sermon. The design of our building is such that several rows of parking spaces face the elevated front entrance to the church. We had music and preaching on an FM station. I don’t know how this works.
The fire marshall was present to be sure no one rolled down their windows. I guess this was a precondition. I may get churched for rolling mine down. I did get scolded.
The service was shorter. The preaching was a bit more vigorous but brief. There was a box with a slot window high at the exit for offering envelopes.
My understanding is that we’re not going to do this weekly. Staff fatigue figures into it, I think. They’ve added a lot of virtual stuff.
It was a good experience even though we could only wave at each other.
What’s your experience?
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Saw GWTW for the first time as a kid at one of the two local drive-in theaters. Shopping center there now.
I’m thinking about having a parking lot revival for several nights, maybe beginning this Palm Sunday. I can think of a lot of reasons why this would be a good idea. What problems does anyone think we might need to overcome ?
You would need to check with your local officials. This would not be encouraged in many places and there would certainly be restrictions as were outlined here. However, it could be a novel idea. If it were me, I’d probably like coming to this once in a while, but I think the novelty would wear off quickly. If I can’t meet live, I’d rather watch livestream in my own house – but that’s me personally.
You have to have an FCC certified transmitter. If your broadcasting more than 100 yards or so you have to have a license. I understand the fine is pretty hefty if your signal is too strong (and you get caught). Most of what I’ve read suggests a half watt or less transmitter.
The first movie I saw as a kid at the local drive-in was A Man Called Peter. They would not allow you to have your windows down? Didn’t it get a little stuffy in the closed up car?
Covid-19 rules locally. I expect that even these controlled gatherings will not be allowed.
Weather was perfect.
A church in our Association had drive-in worship. It went so well that they will have a baptism at the carwash next week.
Since that wouldn’t constitute immersion I assume that church will be voted out of your association. 🙂
They might be, if the association could meet
We’re using Zoom to meet. I haven’t tried that yet. But I might give it a shot during our April 1 meeting just to see how it works
I’ve been looking into it. Unfortunately small FM transmitters, which used to be easy to get, are harder to find than N95 masks right now. Many of our church members don’t use the internet and have flip phones. The church doesn’t have any internet service at all. I live in a fiber desert, so no internet at home. Right now I’m videoing sermons and uploading to our Facebook page and YouTube via my cellphone. Which some of my church is watching. I prepared a short 20 minute video message for service this morning on Friday and it took several hours… Read more »
We did it. It worked great from an attendee perspective. I got in trouble for opening my car door and standing in the door to take pics of the crowd. We were full!
Sounds like your fire marshal doesn’t have enough real work to do.
It was beneficial to the church to have him present. Showed both parties cooperating during a difficult time.