Enemy of the Church

The mission of the Devil is to kill, steal and destroy. Covid-19 seems to be a tool to that end.

Covid-19 has delivered a serious blow to churches. Most have yielded in some way to this attack by requiring masks and cancelling services.

To be clear, I have no quarrel with Pastors, who are struggling to deal with this pandemic. I am ever thankful that I am NOT at pastor. My objective is simply to share some thoughts, in hopes of stimulating an examination of the issues related to this challenge.

The church has seen a significant decline in attendance, even when the doors are open. It would be fair to say that most, if not all of those who have quit attending church still make regular trips to Wal Mart. I’ll just leave that there.

Even if the church doors are closed, the bills have to be paid. Offerings and tithes take a hit when people do not physically attend church services.

One of the most significant parts of church attendance is the fellowship of believers. Church services afford the opportunity for believers to love, encourage and pray for each other. When we are isolated, we become an easier target of our adversary. It’s one of the reasons for the Scriptural admonition to “forsake not the assembling” of ourselves together. Virtual sermons and zoom meetings obviously serve a purpose, but there is simply no way they can compensate for the doors of the church being closed. The personal interaction of brothers and sisters in Christ is a literal life-line for those who are waking through deep personal struggles. When they are cut off from fellowship, they may not survive.

Health and safety is important to us all. The old song comes to mind, “Everyone wants to go to Heaven, but nobody wants to die.” Covid-19 kills some people. That is a fact we can’t ignore. While the most vulnerable class is the elderly (my class) and those who are already health compromised, they are not the only ones who can die. Covid-19 is a nasty plague which has no absolute boundaries. None of want to get… or give… it.

Another fact we should not ignore is this: Sooner or later, everyone is likely to be exposed. In our haste to protect ourselves and others, this is a fact that is often forgotten or overlooked. So, it begs the question, “what are we really running from?” Can we hide in our houses forever and somehow avoid exposure? Do we think that the threat will just ‘go away’? While a vaccine appears to be on the horizon, does life as we know it need to end until we can get that ‘insurance’?

Perhaps we should encourage those who are compromised or feel endangered to stay home or take whatever precautions they believe to be prudent for themselves. Having done that, the rest of us might prefer to get on with our lives. Even without a vaccine, the vast majority of people who contract covid-19 survive… Even those who are compromised.

I do not trivialize this serious issue. I know people who have suffered (and died) from this. It has impacted my own family. I think I am a fortunate one who has experienced very mild symptoms. It seems obvious to me that since my wife has tested positive, it is very unlikely that I have not had it. We have simply limited our contact with others while we wait it out. We don’t demand that the rest of the world stop living while we are quarantined.

My prescription would be easy. If you feel the need to protect yourself, wear your mask, wash your hands or stay home. Don’t demand that the rest of us comply with your fear and shut down our businesses and churches.

In conclusion, I pray this prayer. “Lord, show me where faith ends and foolishness begins.”