Like many of us, I have been watching closely the coronavirus. Further, I have seen all the memes and social media posts stating that this is something that China has engineered to take America out or something Democrats have cooked up to undermine Trump’s presidency. We have been told this is simply the flu by Facebook experts and have been reminded that only the “old and vulnerable” are the ones that are going to be threatened with death. As a pastor, I have sat back all week watching schools close, events cancel, and even NCAA sports cancelled.
Further, many states are calling for large gatherings to stop meeting. This affects many churches and now, as the weekend approaches, pastors and leaders are faced with a difficult decision: do we have church?
I have had many conversations with pastors and leaders all over about what they are going to do. But to be honest, I have seen a lot of judgment about it. And I don’t like it. Pastors have a responsibility to protect and shepherd their people. Regardless of whether a church decides to meet or cancel, we should not pass judgment. If a church wants to meet. Let them. If a church decides to cancel. Let them.
Folks that are choosing to reduce services or even suspend them are not less spiritual than those who are going to continue. The issue right now, as a fellow pastor said, is that we be cautious, clear, and courageous.
God is sovereign over all of this, but that does not mean that I want to shake everyone’s hand.
Be wise. Be loving. But most of all, let’s be more understanding.