Santa Barbara church calls going virtual a blessing

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — New Covenant Worship Center used to meet on State Street in Paseo Nuevo.

Now they meet anywhere there’s the internet.

The church, like most across Santa Barbara and the country, have moved virtually. 

On March 15, lead pastor David Moore and his religious community decided to cancel their service. They felt like they made the right decision because on March 19 California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his Stay-At-Home order.

In the six months since New Covenant Worship Center has been on Zoom and Facebook. Pastor Moore found being online brought more people to celebrate service with them. Those who normally would have slept in or only came for the major holiday were logging on and joining with their morning coffee at home. 

Pastor Moore said the challenge of trying something different has opened up their possibilities.

Normally he gives the sermon during the service. But in the six months of the pandemic, he has given six of the nearly thirty sermons. The rest have been guest speakers from around the city, country and world.

Their biggest change is, since no one has been allowed indoors for service, New Covenant Worship Center dropped their lease. Even with Santa Barbara County preparing to move to the next level of reopening, Pastor Moore said their community is not ready to move indoors because they’re enjoying their virtual services.