Serving Christ in the Age of Coronavirus
Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As we walk together (at a safe social distance) through the global coronavirus pandemic, Christian leaders around the world are weighing our responsibilities: to the Lord, to His people, to our neighbors and to our government leaders. For some, there may seem to be a bit of tension between Biblical mandates as we first consider Hebrews 10:23-35...
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
And then consider the Apostle Paul's admonition in Romans 13:1...
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
So what are we supposed to do at a time like this, when government officials are ordering us not to assemble together, in order to protect public health and safety? How do we weigh these Biblical mandates which may seem to be in conflict? In an unprecedented situation for modern believers, we all need a wisdom beyond our own, the kind of guidance James knew we would need when he wrote...(James 1:5)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
I trust all your church leaders are doing just that, praying for wisdom, and then applying it as they determine what church activities should be scheduled and which should not over the months ahead. They are taking into account the age and vulnerabilities of their congregants, the potential size of the group, the urgency and necessity of each particular gathering, and the ability for participants to maintain a safe "social distance" and observe other protective health practices. That's a lot to evaluate for each activity.
So let me offer my two-bits worth of advice: Look back to Hebrews 10:23-25. Note that the admonition against forsaking the assembly is part of a larger directive to: "consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds", and is followed by the instruction that we should be "encouraging one another, all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Now consider that 21st century "assembling" of believers already looks significantly different than the 1st century church, even when we physically meet together in one place. The tension may begin to lessen as you see there are many creative ways to meet the full mandate for the church, even in a time when gathering the whole body is not possible.
Many of you are doing that: ZOOM conference services, Facebook live, and U-Tube live are just a few of the creative approaches to "assembling" that some of you are using. At Aims Community Church, children's ministry leader Kodai Johansen started off "the new normal" by producing a cute video of sock puppets telling the story of the first Passover and posted it online right along with Pastor Glenn Austin's message. Woodland Park Chapel is holding services both online and in-person, while keeping the small number in the building at a safe social distance of six feet apart. Other churches, who have cancelled their services for a month or more, are still stimulating one another to love and good deeds, as congregants take extraordinary action to check on their neighbors and those in need in the community. And just today, I received a good-old-fashioned handwritten encouragement card from a Godly woman who is reaching out to others to remind them the Lord is still on the throne!
I am impressed by the creativity of God's people and the confidence you have that your relationship with Him through Jesus Christ will see you through this current crisis and into eternal life. Please keep up the good work to which you have been called. In the meantime, watch this weekly memo for schedule changes of InFaith events and activities. And if you would like to swap a few good "quarantine ministry" ideas, feel free to start a conversation on the InFaith: Northwest Oregon Facebook page (Click here, or just comment below if you are already reading that page). I would love to see how the Lord has empowered you to live for Him in these confusing times.
Tom Hiscox, Area Missionary
InFaith: Northwest Oregon