Being the Church During a Disease Outbreak
As I am writing this, there are many concerned about the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But if you read this in a year or two, there will likely be a different virus causing a panic. Check out this resource for how many disease outbreaks happen each year.
How do we respond as a church?
What we find generally is that people are really scared and are hoarding supplies and cutting off contact with people or are making light of it, denying that there is any (or much) danger.
In every area of life and ministry, I prefer a balanced approach.
There is a place for caution. Here are some of the things that we can do:
- Promote hand washing.
- Place hand sanitizer around the church building.
- Adjust how you do some common activities, such as communion or congregational meals.
- Avoid hand shaking as much as possible.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Don’t use hospital emergency rooms unless it is really an emergency.
But at the same time we shouldn’t live or minister out of fear. Some other things to consider:
- Don’t stop meeting for corporate worship (unless instructed by health authorities).
- Continue ministries and programs as appropriate.
- Don’t focus just on the “what ifs.” Worrying is not going to make things go better.
- Keep in contact with people, especially with those unable or unwilling to leave their homes.
- Remember that we will get through this.
- Pray for those who are sick with the virus and those who have lost loved ones.
- Pray for and encourage health care providers.
We do not have to choose one extreme or another. We can use caution but at the same time not be consumed with fear.
These viruses and diseases will keep coming. The church, from the very beginning, was known for how it responded during plagues. We need to make good choices in our current situation.
