IT Blog

In ordinary times, about a third of Americans say they attend religious services at least once a week, according to the Pew Research Center.

But during the coronavirus pandemic, houses of worship across the country have shut their doors along with other public places. Some states have begun to ease restrictions and allow in-person worship to resume amid public and presidential pressure, but many religious leaders don’t plan on reopening yet, concerned about spreading the virus. And even institutions that are reopening know many members are still wary of venturing out.

“I think until there’s a vaccine, and even after there’s a vaccine for this COVID-19, you’re going to have people that are cautious,” says Phil Thompson, VP and streaming video specialist at Arizona-based StreamingChurch.tv, which provides digital services to churches.

That’s meant that houses of worship, traditionally a spiritual and social home for members, have had to find ways to reach people confined…