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.