Opening Church Can be Faithful

It was a cold day, when the first churches began closing. The first wave was the biggest churches, who applied the “out of an overabundance of caution” and “limiting legal liability” mantras, decided that getting ahead of any government action was prudent. At that time, the coronavirus was a virtual unknown, but the expert epidemiologists and bureaucratic representatives were forecasting the worst death rate in history. Multiple millions would die, and we did not know how long the virus could live on surfaces.

Large churches perhaps did the math, and decided that it was wiser to shut down voluntarily, and be seen in the community as taking public health seriously; rather than be shut down by authorities, and be seen as selfish and uncaring. Many of the leaders of these churches also set the tone for many smaller congregations, and as soon as the first wave of churches began shutting down, nearly everyone followed suit. I think pastors felt a need to show some kind of unity to the watching world.

We all want to be found faithful.

At that time, we were being told that the flu would kill multiple millions of people, our hospitals would be quickly overwhelmed. The infection rate was incredibly high, the number of infected doubling exponentially every 4 days. The death rate was predicted somewhere between 5 and 20%. Most people would be asymptomatic. You could have it, and you wouldn’t know, meanwhile you would be infecting and killing many of the people around you. BUT, if we closed down everything and sheltered in place for two or three weeks, we would flatten the curve. We would give the hospitals and healthcare system that extra bit of time to treat people and gear up a massive national effort. Two or three weeks.

There was no conversation about giving up our constitutional rights. There was no dialogue about whether we, as pastors, were doing the right thing. Perhaps this was as an effort to be united. Perhaps we did not feel there was time to explore the issue. Either way, most churches went with the lockdown; though a few went ‘underground.’ Again, we are all trying to be faithful.

This, of course, is a massive sacrifice for smaller congregations. Most smaller churches are barely making it, even when open every week. To be closed for nearly a month, very possibly, means a financial hit that cannot be recovered from. Larger churches already have a significant online presence, have a donate button, and have a big enough presence in the community, to be able to use the situation to create buzz about something new and exciting the church is doing. They have an AV team, camera and mixing equipment, etc.. There is opportunity for the operations that are big enough to take advantage of it.

So, on March 23^rd, 2020, Governor Inslee put out a stay at home order. The churches that weren’t on board, or most of them, shut down. The authorities didn’t just close church services though. In the state of Washington, at least, home visitation, small groups, any physical contact at all was outlawed. Most pastors did their best to call, zoom, Skype, and do everything to help, during the two or three weeks the authorities would keep the order in place.

Then, the situation changed. We weren’t inundated with cases. None of our hospitals were overwhelmed. The infection rate was extremely low, not doubling every four days. In fact, the rates were far more similar to the seasonal flu. Mortality rates were low as well.

And rather than two or three weeks, we are still in lockdown. As of this writing, it has been seven weeks. And, churches are rethinking their position. Some will stay closed, because they believe such action is faithful. But, I believe that reopening churches should be considered a faithful response, even against government proclamations, as an act of faithfulness. Why?

Firstly, it has become plain that this government lockdown is unlawful. The founding of our nation was with the guarantee which we know to be true: that each person, each family, each community, can worship God as they feel convicted; without any worry that the government will interfere. Some rightly call this our First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Yet, Proclamation 20-25, the Stay Home Stay Healthy Order, operates “… by prohibiting all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein.”

One man does not have the power to override the Bill of Rights, no matter what they say about emergency powers. Emergency powers were not meant to cancel church meetings.

Secondly, this order is immoral. Complete panic would overtake all society if nobody was allowed to go anywhere. This is what this order presumes to say. But immediately following in the order, the Governor allows for exceptions: “(1) to conduct or participate in essential activities, and/or (2) for employment in essential business services.” The Governor has then decided which activities he deems essential, and it surely is not the practice of ones faith. In fact, listed right after the exceptions, he again proclaims: “All people in Washington State shall immediately cease participating in all public and private gatherings and multi-person activities for social, spiritual and recreational purposes, regardless of the number of people involved, except as specifically identified herein. Such activity includes, but is not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities. This prohibition also applies to planned wedding and funeral events.”

How has one man been given the power to close all of our churches, without a single instance of protest in the State? Where has the church leadership gone? Is it right for us to leave the entire state without a gathered church?

In so doing, Mr. Inslee has made immoral judgements about which activities are essential, and which are not. By doing so, he has used the power of the government as an institution of moral judgement, granting exceptions to recreational marijuana retailers, alcohol retailers, and retail super stores. These, Mr. Inslee has decided, are essential. Yet, from the beginning till now, Mr. Inslee has outlawed church meetings by the threat of force. He proclaims, “Violators of this of this order may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to RCW 43.06.220(5).”

Lastly, this order is spiritually deceptive. This series of proclamations pigeonholes the Church as a place where people get sick. It tries to convince the public that the holy and sacred gathering of the saints is nothing more than an entertainment venue; a place, a people, where coughing sneezing slobbering people spread disease. This is not the whole truth.

The local church is the place where believers gather to minister to the Lord with our worship. We gather to hear the preaching of God’s Word, and listen for the voice of the Spirit to us. We pray together for the offerings of thanksgiving, the sacrifice of praise, and the offering of supplications. We practice the ancient and sacred mysteries; the sacraments. We lay on hands and pray for healing. We confess our sins and receive forgiveness. We eat and drink of the Lord’s body and blood, the bread and wine.

Anyone who has faithfully participated in the holy gathering of saints ought to know, and be convinced, that a church gathering is not an entertainment venue. It is a gift of God to His people, and to the rest of the world. Nobody can take away that gift. Nobody should. Surely it is faithful to open one’s church doors, and allow the saints to come in and worship together.

Human beings cannot live just by eating bread. We are not just meat. We are spiritual beings. We have spirits to keep alive by union with Jesus. Being a part of a local church that actually, physically meets together to practice the Word and Sacraments is essential to our spiritual survival. That is why the book of Hebrews instructs we believers to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb 10:23-25)

The Church has always affirmed the need for physical safety. We have our commission from Christ to feed the hungry, give to the poor, and ensure people have clothes and shelter. Historically, nobody does this better than the Church. We have also affirmed that human beings are not just physical beings. We have hearts and souls which need care and tending to. And then, there is eternal life. We believe that we have the Gospel, the Words of Life, the Way. How can we, in good conscience, keep from preaching and teaching the Good News to people who are desperate and in need? Has a sickness ever kept the Church from being physically present with their neighbors?

In no way is this an attack on the digital gatherings of the Church. It is, however, a proclamation that the digital church can never fully take the place of the physical local church gathering. If we cannot be together physically, in the real world, we will exist at the pleasure of those who control the digital world. We will be one button press away from non-existence. That is not acceptable.

This Sunday, many churches will silently open their doors, convinced they are being faithful. The goal is not to make a public statement about rights, politics, or partisanship. The goal is to practice our faith in full commitment. While other churches might remain closed still, there certainly should not be any condemnation, as we all look to be true to our Lord.

Opening our churches at this time, is a faithful response.

Coronavirus and the Ban on Church Meetings

I was scandalized at first. For sure. The actual quote from the Governor of Washington State, in Proclamation 20-07 was:

…based on the above situation and under the provisions of RCW 43.06.220(1)(b) and RCW 43.06.220(1)(h), to help preserve and maintain life, health, property or the public peace, I hereby prohibit the following activities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties related to social, spiritual, and recreational gatherings, which restrictions shall remain in effect until midnight on March 31, 2020, unless extended beyond that date:

Gatherings of 250 people or more for social, spiritual and recreational activities including, but not limited to, community, civic, public, leisure, faith-based, or sporting events; parades; concerts; festivals; conventions; fundraisers; and similar activities.

Violators of this of this order may be subject to criminal penalties pursuant to RCW 43.06.220(5).

“Criminal penalties!?” I thought, “The government is going to criminally prosecute people for going to church? Prosecute churches for closing during a time of emergency?” My blood was boiling.

Of course, this was limited by two factors. First, it was for three counties that were hardest hit. Second, it was for groups of larger than 250. I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t be a big deal, and after all, reducing social contact would go a long way in stopping the exponential component of the viral spread.

Since that time, just a few days ago, those two factors changed. First, the ban is now statewide. Second, it applies to groups of 50. At the time of this writing, March 17, at 3PM, there is a real level of fear in the ether here in Spokane, WA. I’m sure I cannot speak for everyone, but I will speak for myself.

Christians of small congregations tend to lean a bit toward engagement on the local level. I know that the Bible says we are to expect persecution from the world. No, no, no; hang with me a minute. I’m not digressing. I’m saying that people, like us, feel like a minority in a great big culture, in a great big country, and we highly value our ability to be a community. We generally fear the power of government, or any organization, that seems to be looking out for it’s own interests. Our interests seem always to be tenuous.

So imagine the fears of a small local church when a government official, with the full force of the state, the police, and the courts, says that we cannot meet together under penalty of criminal prosecution. This isn’t quarantine. Nobody over here is sick. This is a social law enacted in direct conflict with at least two of our God-given rights: the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to worship.

There is no expiration date on the document. It is signed as effective until 9 April, 2020, unless extended. In fact, the Governor promises to prosecute anyone who intentionally breaks this law. To me, this is a bald threat to religious exemption and non-violent resistance.

I’m not scared of COVID-19, I’m scared of this drastic overreach by the government. If an advisory was put out, or if the Governor asked church leaders, pastors, and such to comply because of the great need; perhaps I would not feel so shocked. If we were being counselled to take measures to help stop the spread of the sickness, or if we were invited to take a look at changing practices to help the problem, I would feel different. But, none of those are the case. This is a decree.

Perhaps it is indicative of our present standing in our culture.

Pastors feel a tremendous sense of calling to our communities’ health and well-being. We pray for our cities, care for the poor, visit the sick, and tend the spiritually wounded. In times of distress and panic, we are the leaders who remind our flocks of eternal truths, unlimited hope, and call our brothers and sisters to a higher level of citizenship.

In one disastrous decision, our government has banned our primary means of helping. More shocking indeed is the public response from church organizations, who have much to lose if they get prosecuted—church is closed!

In desperate times, pastors have always endeavored to lead the way with growing a sense of community in the places they minister. We call the people to prayer. We remind each other of our higher calling, and our mandate to do good and to help the “least of these.” We exhort and rebuke, with a sober mind, and invite our neighbors to express love and care in trying times. We are the spiritual voice of reason, especially in an age of hyped this-just-in news, punditry, and commentary.

It seems that my state, even my country, is beginning to see the pastor and church as a part of the problem, and not part of the solution. This deeply saddens me, and makes me wonder what we as Christians might do to help our peers see the danger inherent in our current circumstance. What can the church do, besides just fall in line, to be relevant in our modern setting.

I doubt the state government will continue this ban on church gatherings. I doubt that there is much, or even any, malice given in the church ban. I do not believe this is a case of religious persecution. But, I feel like we are now in dangerous waters, and must recognize our own propensity to lean on government power as the highest authority.

To my fellow Washingtonians, and Americans, beware of trusting too much in the State. Be judicious of its power, which is always seductive and promising; but in the end oppressive and ineffective. We have reached an age when one government official can ban church meetings with emergency powers, and nobody has stood up and argued the detriments of such a decision.

But for now, I suppose a call to prayer and peace is appropriate. God bless you, and stay out of harm's way.