Social Distancing
What are we as a church to do?
The CDC has recommended social distancing to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus.
Self-quarantine is possible for some but how does the church respond to this directive?
1. There is no foolproof way of avoiding complete immunity. Even those who have tested negative can place themselves and others at risk thinking they do not have to observe limited contact with others.
2. As Christians, we are not promised to be free from suffering the calamities and natural disasters associated with the fall of man and the fallen world in which we inhabit. (Rom. 8:20-22)
3. Our culture already experiences a great deal of social distancing by virtue of the internet, Facebook, texting. We as Christians often are islands to ourselves voluntarily.
4. This calamity may take us by surprise. A previous generation had a difficult time dealing with the depression. Our generation is accustomed to having it “our way” and having it better than we deserve. I believe we do not have what it takes to get through deprivation because of our “victim” mentality. The government, mankind, or society owe us anything, nor does God.
5. The faster we realize we can be close to each other because we are already one in the family of Christ, the better. It is not ecumenicalism that makes us one, nor our religious compromise that brings us together. Christ already brought us together in one body, His church, by virtue of his death, burial and resurrection. (1 Cor. 12:11).
Since we must forego large gatherings for a time, here are some suggestions I believe can help.
Action Steps.
1. As your pastor, I believe I should take the contagious nature of this pandemic very seriously, but that does not mean I will be aloof to the congregation. I will keep regular study hours at the church, and I will be systematically calling everyone in the congregation as well as encouraging our deacons to reach out with regularity.
2. I encourage everyone to be checking on our seniors on a regular basis. My door continues to be open for counseling, grief management, or crisis.
3. We can still disseminate the preached Word through regular online messages on our website. I will be continuing our series in Matthew.
4. Leaders are still encouraged to meet to pray, plan, strategize and communicate with the congregation.
5. We will simply reschedule our Family Breakfast, Bob Holmes the evangelist, our missionary speaker, the choir’s Easter presentation, etc. Remember, this is only temporary.
6. We want to reach out to anyone in the congregation who may be in dire conditions that require financial assistance. The Deacon fund is there to help in such cases. Offerings from our shut-ins have been coming in through the mail for several years even though they are unable to attend services. You can send your tithe through the mail or through online banking keeping in mind that even though we are not holding formal services, we still have bills to pay as a church.
7. The Lord promises to work out everything for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. The Coronavirus cannot keep us from praying, serving, reaching out, loving each other, helping others to find Christ. Our mission is to make mature disciples for Jesus Christ.
Self-quarantine is possible for some but how does the church respond to this directive?
1. There is no foolproof way of avoiding complete immunity. Even those who have tested negative can place themselves and others at risk thinking they do not have to observe limited contact with others.
2. As Christians, we are not promised to be free from suffering the calamities and natural disasters associated with the fall of man and the fallen world in which we inhabit. (Rom. 8:20-22)
3. Our culture already experiences a great deal of social distancing by virtue of the internet, Facebook, texting. We as Christians often are islands to ourselves voluntarily.
4. This calamity may take us by surprise. A previous generation had a difficult time dealing with the depression. Our generation is accustomed to having it “our way” and having it better than we deserve. I believe we do not have what it takes to get through deprivation because of our “victim” mentality. The government, mankind, or society owe us anything, nor does God.
5. The faster we realize we can be close to each other because we are already one in the family of Christ, the better. It is not ecumenicalism that makes us one, nor our religious compromise that brings us together. Christ already brought us together in one body, His church, by virtue of his death, burial and resurrection. (1 Cor. 12:11).
Since we must forego large gatherings for a time, here are some suggestions I believe can help.
Action Steps.
1. As your pastor, I believe I should take the contagious nature of this pandemic very seriously, but that does not mean I will be aloof to the congregation. I will keep regular study hours at the church, and I will be systematically calling everyone in the congregation as well as encouraging our deacons to reach out with regularity.
2. I encourage everyone to be checking on our seniors on a regular basis. My door continues to be open for counseling, grief management, or crisis.
3. We can still disseminate the preached Word through regular online messages on our website. I will be continuing our series in Matthew.
4. Leaders are still encouraged to meet to pray, plan, strategize and communicate with the congregation.
5. We will simply reschedule our Family Breakfast, Bob Holmes the evangelist, our missionary speaker, the choir’s Easter presentation, etc. Remember, this is only temporary.
6. We want to reach out to anyone in the congregation who may be in dire conditions that require financial assistance. The Deacon fund is there to help in such cases. Offerings from our shut-ins have been coming in through the mail for several years even though they are unable to attend services. You can send your tithe through the mail or through online banking keeping in mind that even though we are not holding formal services, we still have bills to pay as a church.
7. The Lord promises to work out everything for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. The Coronavirus cannot keep us from praying, serving, reaching out, loving each other, helping others to find Christ. Our mission is to make mature disciples for Jesus Christ.