It’s time they start considering what we want. Last week, over 700 church leaders wrote to the governments of all four UK nations, urging them not to ask churches to stop services again.
It was wonderful to see so many leaders, from different types of churches, speak of the broader issues raised by Covid lockdown policies: the importance of the Church, the many other health risks being caused, the impact on the poorest and the hope of everlasting life in Jesus. Since then, the coverage of this letter also provided interesting opportunities for Christians to once again talk about the Church’s response to Covid-19 and where we should go from here. The Sunday Times covered the letter with the headline ‘Churches vow to stay open this time’. They had spoken to one of the letter’s authors, Rev Dr Matthew Roberts, who said: “Would we be willing to continue to gather people and call people to come together to worship God in a safe way even if the government says we’re not allowed to? The answer for many of our churches is yes, we would.”
Although not all the signatories would be ready to take this stand, the language of the letter was insistent: “we must not be asked to suspend Christian worship again”.
Hope beyond death
On Sky News this week, Rev. Dr Ian Paul, one of the signatories to the letter, had the opportunity to speak to Kay Burley. First, he broadened the health issue out beyond the coronavirus. Church leaders are particularly aware of the impact that lockdown and social distancing has had on people’s mental health. Might we be prioritising beating Covid-19 at the expense of the rest of our health, both physical and mental? Official government estimates currently suggest that we are. Second, he gives a realistic and theological reflection on the idea that we even can ‘beat the virus’. He later quotes Psalm 103 to remind viewers that we are like grass that withers, but the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. We are not the masters of our destiny but, until Jesus returns, all will die. Something or other will overcome us and the idea that we even can beat or control the virus is misleading. Finally, he emphasises the importance of people’s spiritual lives; that Christians have “something really vital to share” in answer to the questions and worries of the world that many have. He closes on Jesus’ frequent message to his disciples, “Do not fear.” He points to Jesus who “overcame death” as the answer for our fears. Well done to Ian for taking this opportunity to speak in a distinctively Christian way about the challenges our society actually faces.[1] Wouldn’t it be wonderful if many more Christian leaders made the most of their opportunities, most of which will not be televised, to point to the real answer to our needs – Jesus Christ? Society needs the Church. It needs a healthy Church that truly follows God, that speaks and acts in obedience to Jesus and that realises it’s not a mere club.
Hyper-cautious church
I’ve seen just about everyone criticised over the coronavirus response. Politicians of all persuasions. Scientific advisors of all persuasions. Companies being too reckless with health, or being so careful they rely heavily on furlough or announce redundancies. Schools are criticised as being too cautious, or not being cautious enough. The one institution I’ve heard criticised on only one side of the equation is the Church. I’ve heard believers and non-believers alike complain that the Church’s response to Covid-19 has been weak. That they’ve too easily shut up shop and hidden away in Zoom meetings rather than boldly proclaiming the hope of Christ or serving their communities. That criticism may not be fair, but it intrigues me that I’ve barely heard any criticisms of UK churches being criticised for taking too many risks or for not being compliant enough. UK churches have acted nothing like the handful of megachurches (some or many of which are actually cults) in places like South Korea that ignore all advice and create perfect environments. When a church is safe and pure, even God fights for his people.
About The Author
Harrison Okafor
editor
Judith is a believer, a lover of Christ and a Gospel freak person. A passionate gospel blogger and press writer. I work with GospelHitsNaija.net Media, no 1 Gospel music platform.
