The coronavirus (aka COVID-19) has put many pastors and churches in an awkward dilemma. Pastors and congregations must now weigh clear instructions in Scripture about fellowship and church attendance against other instructions to cooperate with governing authorities, while at the same time looking out for the health of their members and communities. And, all the while, wondering when or if their actions or precautions mean they lack faith in an all-powerful, sovereign God.
COVID-19 and the Church
Should congregations stop gathering together to help arrest the spread of COVID -19 and (in the minds of many Christians) break the Bible’s injunction against “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”? Should the risk of spreading a virus stop Christians from obeying repeated commands in the New Testament for fellowship?
As of the writing of this article (April 3, 2020), most churches in America have opted to close their buildings to physical gatherings and those who are able have moved their services and activities online.
And yet March 2020 will likely go down as one of the most divisive and contentious periods in modern church history.
When churches began to close their campuses and buildings to physical gatherings (some even doing so before the government ordered them to do so), many Christians exploded in outrage that their brothers and sisters in Christ (and, in some cases, their pastors) lacked faith.
Many Christians argued that the entire coronavirus crisis was overblown. That it was exaggerated and that shutting down churches was the last thing that should be done in times like these.
When many state governments began ordering the closure of church buildings and the prevention of church gatherings, many Christians (including admittedly this one) recoiled at these governments classifying churches as “non-essential.” Others began calling openly for civil disobedience, citing the First Amendment as well as biblical examples of God’s people refusing to stop spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ even though they often faced state-sponsored persecution.
Fears and Apprehensions
Some of the concerns and apprehensions on the part of many churches and Christians have merit. In my opinion, here are a few:
- Churches are essential. Not only are they essential to people’s spiritual health, but it’s a fact that churches across the globe often provide crucial support to their communities in countless ways.
- Many small churches are being devastated by this crisis. An organization (no matter what type of organization) needs people and resources (yes, including money) to survive in this world. Many churches don’t have the resources to survive long-term closure, and…
- Many small churches aren’t able to quickly or easily move their services and activities online.
- Many churchgoing people of faith are not comfortable with online technology. I know that’s hard to believe in this day and age, but it’s true. And these people are now being denied access to friendship, fellowship, and support that they need.
- It’s understandable that many people are suspicious of too much government power. This apprehension toward “Big Government” is an American tradition, after all. The United States wouldn’t exist as a country were it not for such apprehension. There’s great wisdom in the adage: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take everything you’ve got.”
Love Means Sacrifice
Setting aside, for the moment, these apprehensions, we are still left with the fact that the coronavirus is NOT a hoax. It is real. And it is killing people.
As of this writing, COVID-19 has infected over a million people worldwide and killed just under 60,000. Many hospitals are overwhelmed. Health care workers are at risk. There is no vaccine or cure.
One epidemiologist I know says that this is likely the “health crisis of our lifetime.”
And we also know, for a fact, that many people have carried and spread this disease while themselves not manifesting any symptoms. In other words, many people have unknowingly contributed to the deaths of other people.
These are facts.
In light of this, shouldn’t Christians want to err on the side of safety? Not just for themselves, but for others?
Doesn’t Jesus tell us to “love your neighbor”? And doesn’t Paul say that we, in the Christian community, should “esteem others” better than ourselves and that we should not simply look out for our own interests, but also for the interests of others? (In case you’re wondering the answer to that, see Philippians 2.)
Churches shouldn’t have to wait for the government to tell them to take precautions. Churches should, of their own accord, do everything in their power to minimize the spread of COVID-19. And, right now (as of April 3, 2020), based on what the experts are saying, that means “social distancing” (or physical distancing), drastically limiting gatherings (to no more than 10), and not leaving your house unless absolutely essential.
I realize that many churches (mainly smaller churches) are unprepared for this, but…. and I don’t mean to be unkind here …. whose fault is that?
Some of us have been harping on the need for change in methodology for years, but many Christians (again, mostly in the smaller churches) have staunchly resisted this (often firing pastors or driving pastors to resign) because they refuse to break from “the old ways.”
Let me say it plain: Theology should not change, but methodology must change. Sadly, many churches have that backwards.
If COVID-19 proves anything in addition to humbling us all and showing us how we are not in control of this planet, it should be a wake-up call to churches and Christians everywhere that God’s people MUST embrace technology and be open to new methods of reaching people with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.
What about Faith?
Of course, many Christians are saying we should have faith in God’s protection, and not worry about these guidelines. If it’s our time to go, it’s our time to go. Let’s just obey God and have faith. Ugh.
Listen, David had faith in God and still brought a sling and five smooth stones to fight Goliath!
I have faith in God but I still wear a seat belt when driving, and I look both ways before I cross the street. And I lock my house door at night.
Faith isn’t an excuse to be lazy and irresponsible!
Faith isn’t an excuse to turn off your brain and be stupid!
Yes, we should have faith. But that faith should be while living in obedience to God, including multiple biblical admonitions to stewardship, consideration, and common sense!
Churches and the Government
It saddens and frustrates me how many congregations and pastors have picked this crisis — a health pandemic — to fight the government!
If the government were targeting churches exclusively, I could understand resisting the civil authorities. If the government were ordering churches to close because they don’t want Jesus taught, I would understand (and support) resisting the civil authorities.
I am a passionate believer in religious freedom.
But the government (at least here in the United States) is doing its rightful job. This isn’t about persecution. It’s about protecting the people of the United States, including Christians in the United States.
Yes, churches are essential. But it’s NOT essential that churches gather together physically for this particular season we’re in.
Yes, the Bible commands Christians not to “forsake” the assembling of ourselves together, but we can still gather — online!
The government, in this case, isn’t preventing churches from obeying God’s commands in the Bible. On the contrary, the government is helping keep all of us safe so that (as Paul says to Timothy) “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Timothy 2:2b)
The simple fact is that the New Testament clearly commands Christians to COOPERATE with civil government (Romans 13:1-7 and I Peter 2:13-17). The only real exceptions to that are: a) when government tells you to disobey God (Acts 5:29), or b) when God calls you to be a part of His raising up of a new government (Daniel 2:21).
It’s perfectly fine to ask questions, have reservations, express concerns, and (yes) to recognize that sometimes the news media hypes things and isn’t always helpful. I’m not criticizing or condemning skepticism or those who refuse to ride the Media’s Emotional Roller Coaster. I get it.
Let me be clear where my criticism is aimed:
- I’m speaking of those Christians who continue to deny COVID-19 is real, even in spite of all the evidence that shows it is real and it’s serious.
- I’m speaking of those Christians who respond to government guidelines with a cliche “We just have to have faith” pat answer.
- I’m speaking of those Christians who are pressuring their pastors to hold public church meetings in person in defiance of government requests (or, in some cases, directives) not to do so.
- I’m speaking of those pastors who are grand-standing on this issue, thumbing their nose at the government and the medical experts, and endangering all their congregations (and all the people their congregants come in contact with outside the church).
- I’m speaking of those Christians who are treating this situation as if it’s a replay of Roman persecution of the first century church.
This is not a time for Christians to get riled up and fight against the civil authorities. This is a time when Christians should cooperate with the civil authorities — out of obedience to God’s word AND out of love and concern for each other and their neighbors.
My hope is that the Christian church will truly be “salt and light” during these times, and not part of what makes these times so difficult for so many.
Let’s be beacons of hope, inspiration, and love. That’s what the world needs from us, and that’s what our God wants from us.
