Church Assembly in the COVID Age

I have not posted to this blog in a couple years, primarily because I’ve had nothing intelligent to post, but today, I am breaking my silence. Today, with this COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, Christians, who should be standing together, are fractured over the question, to have, or to not have church. They site the Bible in both cases, so who’s right, who’s wrong, and what’s the fall-out? First and foremost, whether you’ve canceled completely, whether you have drive-in or live streamed services, or whether you choose to practice social distancing and sanitization in your churches, I have no rocks to throw. None of us have ever been through this before. I will continue to sound the alarm, however, that we need to be vigilant, especially as we see some of the more socialist-leaning states ease uncomfortably close to martial law. As Americans and Christians, that should very much concern us, but that’s a soapbox for another day. Let’s look at Romans 13 first, as many are using this passage to prove why we should listen to our government. 1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. This passage implies that our government is an extension of God’s ordinances, and should be obeyed. Truly, this is worthy of consideration, as when Paul wrote this, he was under Roman imperial rule, a rule which hated Christians. Paul clearly says here that we shouldn’t try to resist, because the ones who di resist to damnation, according to verse 2. Taken alone, this passage would prove that we should happily comply with our good government, because they know what’s best, and we don’t. Easy, right? Not so fast! Acts chapter 5 discusses a case where civil disobedience was practiced, and blessed by God! Let’s pick up the narrative in verse 17. 17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23  Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24  Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. 26  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned. 27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31  Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Verse 29 is a go to verse encouraging civil disobedience. 29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. Here’s the problem with this argument… The government of the day forbade Peter and the others from preaching Christ. Preaching Christ is biblical, therefore if the government has one standard, and the Boble has another, we should obey God’s law over man’s. That also sounds great, doesn’t it? We can all puff out our chests and be spiritual, because, bless God, the Bible tells us to assemble, and that’s what we’re going to do, and the government can’t tell us we can’t. They’re violating our first amendment right, and the constitution, and all that good stuff. These folks run quickly to Hebrews 10:24-25 as their biblical command to assemble. 24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Sounds good, doesn’t it? It makes sense, so bless God, we’ll assemble because the Bible trumps the government…Or does it? This of us to rightly divide scripture are fully aware that the book of Hebrews is what’s called a general epistle. It’s not necessarily church doctrine, but we can make much application from the book. We’ve all used Hebrews 9:27 in a gospel message, and that’s fine, but the context of the book is Jewish people going through the tribulation. If you don’t believe that, then try to apply the verses after verse 25 to the church. You’ll make the grandest mess trying, and you may be able even to talk people into thinking they can lose their salvation! In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve personally used Hebrews 10:24-25 to prove that we should assemble. After all, tribulation saints are supposed to, and it truly will be illegal and dangerous for them to do so! It makes good preaching, but we need to be careful how loud, and how hard we beat that drum. Let’s consider the facts before us. A highly contagious disease came from China. It thrives, like the flu, in densely populated groups. It spreads through bodily secretions from coughing, and sneezing, and can stay on surfaces for a good while. Most state governments have mandated that large groups cannot assemble. Several of those states have said churches are exempt, as long as they practice social distancing from each other. The more liberal the governor though, typically the more governmental interference people are facing. Thus far, nobody I know of has been arrested for assembling, though that could very well change. Church, by its very definition, means a called out assembly. Modern-day Christianity believes that to be a building, but we, as individuals, are particular members of the body of Christ… The word of God doesn’t make a distinction there between a group of local believers, of the generally assembly in Heaven. I won’t argue about that here, but I do believe that any assembly of believers represents the church. It’s not a building! There are church days when a pastor has to call the services off because of snow or other bad weather. Do we protest? Not usually! We feel uncomfortable for a day, then move on with life. In this case, as in the case of the Spanish Flu of 1918, however, this will go on longer. What are we to do? As I said earlier, there are many creative ways pastors have thought up to have their services, including out-door assemblies, drive in services, (no popcorn,) and webcasts with a skeleton cure live from the church. Some churches are small enough that they still meet together, and caution immunocompromised members to stay home. Let me again say, I have no rocks to throw. Here are some dangers though. In the case of a drive in service, not all churches have FM transmitters to transmit to cars, and not all have sound systems capable of blasting the parking lot with preaching. It’s not possible for everyone to have this type of service, but it sure seems like it would be a fun adventure! If small churches still choose to meet, the danger is that church members can infect each other with the Corona Virus, and they would feel terrible if their fellow church members get it. Indeed, two preacher friends I know have caught it, both have had complications. On the other hand, everyone’s still going to Walmart to get groceries, and each time I’ve been in there over the last week I’ve felt the little Coronas trying to capture me! Personally, I feel less of a threat at church, but again, mileage varies. Another problem with meeting at church is that we live in a society that loves to shave people with differing views. Some in the community might shame your church for having meetings during this time, and it could adversely affect your church’s testimony. On the other hand, I know of people who have come into church because they were scared and looking for hope during this time. I know of churches who have seen people saved during this time. The webcast service seems like a great option! Many churches already have the infrastructure in place for it, and have been streaming their services on Youtube of Facebook for a while. They can go on doing it, but to an empty building! Members can watch in their homes, on their televisions, their computers, phones or tablets. They can lie in bed and watch, drink coffee in their recliner, or multitask! It’s such a convenient way, and the pastor doesn’t have to change much, though preaching to an empty auditorium might be a little daunting at first if one isn’t used to it. I have only one concern with this way of addressing the problem. When things open up again, and churches can meet together, as excited as folks will be the first few weeks or months of being back, they may remember what a convenient thing the stream was! It may make it easier for them to trade going to church for just watching church on their connected devices. If that happens, there could be a real struggle! If I were a pastor who live-streamed my services, I’d probably suspend the stream for about a year once my church could meet together again, just to make sure that problem didn’t happen. That seems to be a workable solution. Regardless of which way pastors choose to have church services, we need to remember that we are the hands and feet of Jesus here on earth! We need to make a conscious effort to be lights in the community! We should organize efforts to meet the needs of those who are shut in, such as the elderly and immunocompromised. They need groceries! I’m a firm believer that the doors should be unlocked while church services would normally be held, and some staff members should be there just in case somebody walks in looking for hope. Remember, there is no hope except Jesus Christ! We should always be ready to pray with, and preach the gospel to those who are searching! This can be an exciting time to minister in our communities while still being safe! If we do that, and still remain vigilant against governmental overreach, we can see this thing to by quickly, and it’ll be a glorious day when all our churches can meet together in normal ways again! Is there a right or wrong way to tackle this? I don’t think so. The only wrong way would be to just curl up into the fetal position, and let fear overtake us! Sure, there’s uncertainty! Sure, there’s fear, but we as saved people have a God who can overcome all of it!