There's nothing like a pandemic to bring out the best and the worst in people. I can't say I'm surprised, these things have a way of showing people's true colours and where their confidence, or can I say, suspicions, lie.
What is disheartening is what I'm seeing and hearing from those who claim to be followers of Jesus, Worse yet, are those who hold leadership platforms who are using them in ways that is, at least in my mind, not only disheartening, but downright embarrassing.
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Now before we get into the heart of this post, I will tell you what this post is not about. It's not about arguing over the timeline of when we can start normalizing our lives, or criticisms against the handling of the lockdowns, or even if the measures of social distancing are contrary to herd immunity and blah, blah, blah.
This blog is not even going to be about the financial fallout or criticisms about the mishandling of the country's economic future. Can we just admit that we are all sharing in a lot of pain, anxiety, and uncertainty when it comes to these matters?
Frankly, I can't imagine being a political leader or health-care minister having to make decisions that are affecting the lives and livelihood of millions. I'm sure that they are being bombarded with information, potential scenarios, healthcare infrastructure limitations and projections of economic fallout while through it all trying to navigate a path that doesn't decimate the healthcare system and result in huge loss of life. These are difficult days which call for difficult decisions.
What I do want to get off my chest is the rather embarrassing things happening within Christendom by those who claim allegiance to Jesus and His kingdom. Some of you are going to find this offensive, but I simply cannot sit back and watch a small faction of 'believers' drag down the Name of Jesus and His church. So, without further delay, here are my pleas to you!
I can't even begin to know where to start with this one. To imply this has been a manufactured crisis is one thing, but to not take seriously its present implications and its reality is nothing short of mind-blowing. This IS real, regardless of how it started. People are dying, have died, and more are going to die! If there is a sinister motivation behind it that will all come out at some point, especially since the entire globe is battling this thing.
Also, isn't this the first time in recent memory we are seeing a global response to taking care of the 'least of these'? Normally, the way forward is a kind of social Darwinism that says, 'only the strong should survive.' But here, we are seeing the 'Christian' ethic of taking care of the elderly, disadvantaged, and those with compromised immunities. Isn't this the very thing Jesus advocated in the Great Commandment that to love God, also meant to love your neighbour. What did Jesus mean in Matthew 25 when he said that whatever we do to the 'least' of these we are doing to him? (Matt 22:37; 25:40; Romans 13:10; James 1:27).
Focusing on the conspiracy takes energy away from an opportunity we have to touch lives in real ways, especially when for many, fear, anxiety, and economical trauma are real and present dangers. Conspiracy theorists do nothing more than transfer fear into rage, neither of which are healthy emotions at this time. Have we forgotten that we live in a fallen world and whether it's a pandemic, a war, a natural disaster or whatever, we need to be about our Father's business?
This goes back to a point I made in the previous section. This is real. This is one of those cultural moments that will affect our world in ways we can't fully grasp right now. But to make it an opportunity for heartless memes and a platform for your sarcasm because you found one article about a remote city that handled this differently, just adds to the growing anxiety people are experiencing.
Here's what happens. In crisis moments, people tend to look at the church, especially as a means to find some sense of purpose and meaning in the crisis. When we ridicule the way it's being handled, we are by implication, ridiculing the people who are affected and hurting by it. So much for the church being of any help. Did you know, that most, if not all revivals in history, were predicated by a crisis?
This is not a time for ridicule, but a time for the church to be THE CHURCH! Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble, but He has overcome the world! (John 16:33). Shouldn't that be the message at this juncture of history? And didn't Jesus also say that He would build His church and the gates of hell itself could not prevail against it (Matt 16:18). Which brings me to my last point.
Of the three, this one troubles me the most. I get that there is a principle here, that there is a tension between government intervention into the assembly of the church, but this is not one of those moments. Can it eventually lead to that, possibly, but hear me out on this?
To the church leaders who are defying social distancing and gathering orders and still meeting, it is the height of arrogance and pride. Sorry, it just tells me that you are more interested in your platform than respecting the potential harm you could bring to others.
It also implies that you were probably caught unprepared when this whole pandemic struck. You couldn't or wouldn't pivot to online services and were likely ill prepared for accepting offerings too. Maybe you are panicking because you feel the entire model of church that you depended on is suddenly thrown into a state of confusion for what to do next.
But to use this moment as an attack on your freedom demonstrates that you cannot play well with others. Yeah, there is definitely a tension here on a political/social level, but don't use the freedom argument to defy acting as a good citizen to the community in which you serve.
No matter, if you have so little concern for the people under your care, and if you have so little faith in Jesus who said the church will always exist, despite the best devices the devil can throw at it, then maybe you should question whether ministry is really your calling.
Remember how Paul wrote to the churches in Rome and Corinth concerning 'weaker' believers, and that we need to at times, defer our rights for their sake? That there are times when we should set aside our need to exercise our freedom for the sake of others (Romans 14-15; 1 Cor 8-9). Oh yeah, and what about those verses about obeying those in government, whom I believe are trying to do their best in the midst of difficult times (Rom 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-14).
Believe it or not, it's in these moments in history where the church truly shines. Right now, we are experiencing growth in many churches, despite not meeting physically, a surge of people checking out churches for the first time, an army of churches and volunteers who in a scant few weeks have totally reconditioned their ministries for this new reality and seeing people responding to the Gospel. This is what the church does when the church IS BEING THE CHURCH!
One beautiful example of this recently was a Good Friday service where over 117,000 people made professions of faith in Christ through a streamlined service, "Bible Quarantine." These professions were made in over 100 nations in 43 different languages. Rather than treat this pandemic as a conspiracy, an attack on freedom, or any other number of perspectives, this group saw it as an opportunity and an open door to reach more people, at a time when hope is what many are looking for.
I have been a christian for 42 years and am dismayed by people taking scripture out of its origanal meaning ie Acts chpt 4 and 5.Firstly the Apostles where being persecuted by religous leaders not secular government .Second the church is not a building but people.And third Jesus said go into the world and preach the gospel.To my knowledge no one has told us we cannot preach,pray or witness in the name of Jesus,just refrain from meeting in your building,as the virus can spread faster in that setting.
A very refreshing and sound article. Conspiracy theories are almost always lies, and we know who is the father of lies. That conspiracy theories work against the church is a great result for him. It is unfortunate that politicians, particularly wealthy Americans, have worked to divide society into extreme hard left and hard right positions. The right has traditionally had a solid base of Christians, but also people holding freedom as more important than love and community. Sadly, the freedom worshippers have been able to pull in many Christians, resulting in some losing track of their true leader, Jesus, and becoming fearful (as Jeff mentions above). I have confidence in church members as role models, and great hope that the wonderful social cooperation happening these days will result in a society and economy that values people more than last year. Love God, love others, change the world!
Whenever I get too sentimental about the innocence of childhood, I remind myself that for years, I maintained a mental catalogue of all my most embarrassing memories, with the express purpose of repressing them.
This sense of ambiguous mortification is so persistent that it starts to feel inevitable. Is it? Maybe emotional intimacy requires something to counterbalance it, a kind of stinger, like erotic bittersweetness.
Dr. Karin Gepp is a clinical psychologist with experience in a wide variety of areas, including mood-related difficulties, anxiety, psychosis, trauma, addictions, personality disorders, adjustment issues, anger management, and forensic topics. She has worked in diverse settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and correctional facilities. Dr. Gepp has theoretical leanings toward psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral concepts and techniques, and she enjoys neurocognitive and diagnostic assessments, as well as supervision and consultation opportunities.
Cathy Cassata is a freelance writer who specializes in stories about health, mental health, medical news, and inspirational people. She writes with empathy and accuracy and has a knack for connecting with readers in an insightful and engaging way. Cathy contributes regularly to Healthline and Verywell, and she has also been published in HuffPost. Read more of her work here, and connect with her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 152ee80cbc