Love in the Time of Coronavirus — A guide for Christian leaders

“At this extraordinary moment, local leaders — people who lead groups of 10 to 1,000 people — have perhaps the greatest opportunity to shape culture in the United States that they have ever had. This is a guide for those of us who are Christian leaders at this moment. …

The recommendations that follow are the result of about a month’s worth of intensive study of the medical and public health information about COVID-19 that has been available to the public. I have no specialist-level insight, nor any non-public sources. But my calling as a journalist, which was my profession for 15 years, is to make complicated things clear, quickly. (The length of this essay shows just how complicated the current moment is.) …

This essay has four parts. Feel free to skip to the one that is most relevant for you:

  1. What is happening? An overview of the most important things for Christian leaders, anywhere in the United States, to know about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19.
  2. What should we communicate? A list of the most helpful messages others can hear from us — and the most harmful messages as well.
  3. What decisions should we make? Recommendations for decisions about large gatherings, medium-size gatherings for Christian worship, and small groups meeting in households.
  4. What can we hope for? A few reflections on the genuine possibility that our decisions in the next few weeks could reshape the practice of Christian faith in our nation and, God being merciful, lead to a revival of the church of Jesus Christ in America.”

– While written for an American context, there is much that is helpful here.

Freedom from Fear

Here’s a word on the novel coronavirus outbreak from the American Anglican Council:

The Dutch Christian writer and Holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom, said, “Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once…Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.”

Dear friends, this speaks to the season we are now in, and it’s not just worry about Coronavirus. It’s political battles and elections, cultural shifts and revolutions, environmental fears, and economic downturns. This new disease was planted right in the middle of it all, and no matter how mild or severe it really is, the anxiety may prove more endemic than the virus itself. Fear can spread as fast as this new virus.

The leaders of the ACNA, along with medical professionals and government officials, have already advised wise caution. In addition to other practical advice, spiritual leaders tell us to pray, and medical leaders tell us to wash our hands. Together, they help stem the tide of both fear and sickness in very real ways. And while there are many sources of good advice, both for worshippers and non-worshippers, we want to contribute a word on dealing with this equally malevolent and fast-spreading disease of the soul – fear. As phone calls come in announcing school closures, emails flood our inboxes from church leaders and businesses offering advice, and the news reveals economic troubles, how do we push back on a growing sense of anxiety. Or, if you’re a bit more skeptical of it all, the gnawing doubt that perhaps, you need to be more worried, if you aren’t already?

First, it’s important to reiterate that prudence and fear are not the same thing. Wash your hands. Stay away from crowded public events. Do not unnecessarily interact with those who are sick. Submit to those in authority over you, both those in charge of your souls and those who govern your physical bodies. Pray for protection from this disease. And then, strive to put worry aside and keep on living your life, doing what you are able in order to answer the call of God: love Him with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength; and love your neighbor as yourself.

No doubt, fear will still creep in to try and move you from prudence to panic. A voice may whisper, “Did God really say, ‘Do not be afraid’?” What then?

We must do as the leaders of our churches have told us to do – pray. Not only for protection from the virus, but also for protection from fear, worry, and anxiety. Protection from the virus is momentary. Protection from fear, which implies strengthening our trust in God, has eternal value. Fear is the greater enemy and robs us of eternal benefits – peace, joy, contentment, and trust. Coronavirus, and any disease like it, robs us of what is temporary, whether school, jobs, or even our very lives. Conversely, the God who bids us to ‘Fear not’ lives beyond these things which, though good, should not distract us from the freedom He provides – freedom from the fear of losing what is temporary in order to gain the joy that comes from embracing that which is eternal.

So, this Lenten and Coronavirus season, let us pray not just for protection from physical disease but from the disease of worry about the future which robs us of our strength today. Let us take each day as it comes and do what we need to do to get through each day while still striving to love God and those around us. After all, school and public events may get canceled, but His commandments never do, and His promises endure forever. Let us avoid useless talk that leads to unnecessary worry and speculation based on information that comes from second-hand worriers and social media warriors. Instead, let us focus on trusting in the One who exists beyond these ever-changing and ever-perilous times that affect our dark age. Let us pray for what matters more deeply than our health – a trust in God which alone vanquishes fear.

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours
of this day, so that we, who are wearied by the changes and
chances of this life, may rest in your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Coronavirus and your workplace: Four reflections from a month travelling Australia

“I have spent the past six weeks travelling around Australia, running City Bible Forum’s annual Life@Work conference—a conference for Christians in the workplace. The theme of the conference this year was “Unmasked”, exploring how we might reveal more of who we are in the workplace to our colleagues, and not just our strengths.

However as the weeks progressed the conference theme took an unexpected twist…”

– Melbourne City Bible Forum’s Andrew Laird shares some observations, and encourages Christians to hold out the hope of the gospel.

Is the end of handshaking the start of real fellowship?

“The latest recommendations for limiting the spread of Coronavirus include no handshaking.

For churches, where the handshake may be an informal, or sometimes official, type of greeting it may seem like a loss. I think it may be a gain and will cause us to rethink just how close our fellowship can be. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell has a great suggestion for an alternative to a handshake.

Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

Church Society has been posting Lent reflections on the theme of the Fruit of the Spirit.

The latest reflection – on Peace – is by Paul Harrington from Trinity Church Adelaide.

Other posts here.

Dear Christian, when the Pandemic hits, This is our Time

“Dear Christian,

I’m guessing you’re starting to feel a little nervous.

The Coronavirus situation seems to be escalating day by day.

Yes, people are still in good spirits – and even making light of the situation (as seen by trending hashtags such as #ToiletPaperApocalypse). But the increasing numbers of empty rows at the supermarket is getting a little unnerving. …”

– At The Gospel Coalition Australia, Akos Balogh reminds Christians of the privilege we have of holding out the Word of Life to those around us – and how we can give hope to those who are afraid, and are wondering what’s going to happen.

Are we living out Romans 1?

“Practicing homosexuals — of which I was once one — may not be conscious of the larger, biblical meaning of their sin as outlined in Romans 1, but it would be to their betterment if they were. …”

– Rosaria Champagne Butterfield gives some very insightful comments at Desiring God.

Related:

An Atheist and a Pastor on Same-Sex Relations and the Image of the Self – Justin Taylor.

The Culture of Death Reclaims Ground in Germany: A Renewed Threat to Human Life

“When suicide becomes an option, it will not just be one option among others. We can easily see the deathly logic inherent in the loss of human dignity as a pillar of society. The most vulnerable and aging will be told, at some point, ‘You have simply become too expensive. Healthcare resources are wasted on you because you have no hope of recovery. You need to get out of the way in order to free up needed medical funds and resources for others.’

It won’t be said exactly in those words – that would be too intellectually honest for this worldview. But make no mistake, that is indeed the internal reasoning of a worldview system that utterly rejects human dignity and the sanctity of life. …”

– Albert Mohler writes bluntly about the past and the future of the Culture of Death. Well worth reading.

Urgent Prayer needed for Kenya’s Targeted Christians

“Today we start looking at some specific situations of brothers and sisters in Christ who are being persecuted and threatened with even more persecution. We start with Kenya because of very disturbing news that has come out of northeastern Kenya. I would ask you to pray as you read, and throughout the weekend. Please share this news about what Christians in northern and eastern Kenya are facing with the rest of your church family, and hold this persecuted part of our global church family up for prayer in your Sunday services. …”

– An urgent prayer request from GAFCON.

Coronavirus precautions for churches updated

“Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued new recommendations for the Diocese of Sydney on procedures for ministry in the light of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The advice updates the initial circular to churches in late January. It covers Holy Communion, Children’s ministry and food service, as well as general advice for personal interactions at church. …”

– The latest from SydneyAnglicans.net.

It pays to hold your nerve in the Transgender Debate

“As Douglas Murray observes in his book The Madness of Crowds, we’re making long term decisions about people’s sexual and mental health based on untested ideas that have been around for the past twenty minutes.  And now people are starting to take a reality check. …”

– Stephen McAlpine sees signs that the tide beginning to turn. Image: BBC.

Does the Bible produce bigots?

“Mardi Gras is upon us in Sydney. When thinking about the tension in society around the issue of same-sex attraction, it’s easy to wonder if you might actually be a bigot – because you’re a Christian. …”

– At The Australian Church Record, Ben George argues that the Bible produces not bigots, but forgiven rebels.

I gave my life to Jesus – Glen Scrivener

In his latest video, Glen Scrivener points us away from ourselves and our efforts – to the Lord Jesus.

Quite a challenge to a lot of preaching. 7 minutes.

Building a Culture of Evangelism takes time

“Evangelism isn’t just for the ‘professionals‘ – pastors, ministers, Bible teachers, and all the rest. Instead, the New Testament teaches that evangelism is the whole church’s job.

But asserting the ‘whole church’ does evangelism can be a bit confusing. What does that mean? Is there some special evangelism program hidden somewhere in the pages of the New Testament? Furthermore, what, if any, relationship exists between our personal evangelism and our church’s outreach ministry?…”

– An encouraging article from 9Marks. Read it, and be sure to watch ‘The Gospel Blimp’ if you haven’t seen it before.

Related:

One to One vs Course Evangelism – Sam Hilton & Tony Wright on what’s best for your church – The Pastor’s Heart.

Five things you need to talk about with your Youth

“As the apostle Paul finished up his time with the church in Ephesus he was confidently able to report, ‘I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God’ (Acts 20:27).

Wouldn’t that be a great way to finish up a time of serving people you love. But sometimes there are topics that are super sensitive, topics which fill us with a fair bit of hesitation!  However, it is good to talk about hard things because, in the end, every hard topic can promote great chats and even better they take us to the heart of the gospel…”

– At The Australian Church Record, Adrian Foxcroft shares five things you might not want to, but should talk about with your Youth.

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