Eight Missionary Suggestions for the Church and Coronavirus

I’m seeing a tremendous amount of conversation on social media related to coronavirus. Also, there are conversations in organizations I’m part of related to the best responses. There is lots of good information out there. I’m seeing strands of thoughts related to how a person of Christian faith lives in community during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s my best attempt at putting the best thoughts together:

1. Don’t fear. God is sovereign. He knows all

and has all power. He will not leave us. His Son, Jesus has risen from the dead. Death will not overcome those who believe. Some of us may not live through this pandemic. Yet, death is not the final matter. Most of us will live through this pandemic. As we get through this, we will be wiser, and our stories will glorify God.

2. Steward your health, wealth, and home. There are ways to prepare. Stewardship should be part of your life. Yet, if stewardship has been lacking, we still have some of a window to prepare. Those who are most likely to be helpful in a pandemic are good stewards of their health, wealth, and home. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat nutritious food. Get some daily exercise. Live on a budget. Have some savings. Have enough food and essentials in your home that you can quickly host others with a little to spare. Have an extra bed or two for visitors.

3. Conversely don’t pillage Walmart and hoard. That’s a response based on fear and coveting. Faith is very different. Also, the ability to hoard ignores the plight of those in our community who live paycheck to paycheck. We’re better than that.

4. Listen to good counsel. Stay aware of what government and medical leaders are advising in your

locality. Make sure you have some personal friends who are experts. Call them when you have a question. Don’t get sucked into pundits and paranoia. When you hear definite advice follow it.

5. Protect the vulnerable. Some of us are going to have it more difficult than others. Five quickly come to mind. They are:

a. Asians. Sadly, crisis brings out the darkest sides to humanity. Some will look for an easy target to blame instead solving problems in a community. Some of my Asian friends are posting about language ranging from inappropriate jokes to just meanness. Let’s put that nonsense behind us. If you hear or see bigotry confront it. Then just extend extra measures of respect and kindness to those of Asian descent.

b. The elderly and chronically ill. Follow the instructions. Minimize physical contact. Wash your hands. Avoid unnecessary large social gatherings. We need to slow down the infection rates. Remember avoiding getting the coronavirus isn’t just about you as an individual. It’s about how many others you will infect. For the sake of others take precautions.

c. International students. Universities are closing. International students will be in a difficult place. What do they do? Where do they go? Where do they stay? Now is a time to practice the art of hospitality. Stay aware. Call international offices of nearby universities. Be in touch with campus ministries. Make your extra bed at home available for those who don’t have family nearby.

d. Students from low income families. Many of their families budget through the year with their

room and board covered by financial aid and are saving for their transportation home. Closing universities puts low income families in a jam. When school closures are extended to elementary and high schools low income students will need to replace breakfasts and lunches that their children typically receive at a reduced rate or free. Now is a time to stop by these families home with a bag of groceries. It’s the time to put some cash in a card to hand to someone you know. If you are in the position to hire, it’s a time to create a little extra work for a parent. Remember don’t turn these families into a project or prop on stage at church. Help them out while respecting their dignity.

e. Working families. Many families rely on open schools to both educate and care for their children as both parents work. School closures create chaos in household management. Many don’t have extended family or neighbors nearby. If you know a family in this situation offer to watch their kids.

6. Discern. We’re in new territory here. This is a time for prayer, learning, and appropriate decisions. Discernment means we’ll make decisions that push against our culture and comfort. Most of us haven’t been through something like this before. Many events that we find great joy in will need to be canceled to slow down infection rates. If you are a decision maker for a church stay informed, and make the best decision you can to protect your church members and their network. For a season you need to withhold the compassion of Christ expressed through physical touch. Shaking hands and embracing aren’t necessary to be pastoral. As I’ve mentioned we do want to slow infection rates in our community.

7. Yet, if predictions are accurate a time is coming in which our community will have members

who are gravely sick. Historically, this is where Christianity has thrived. The compassion of Christ is displayed through human touch. Some Christian leaders will need to sit with the sick, hold their hands, read to them Scripture, pray, and be physically present for a long period of time. No one should be gravely ill alone. No one who is gravely ill should be deprived of human touch. At times this will include reminiscing about the past and laughing – even when it hurts, and the laughter causes coughing. It’s likely that paid medical people won’t be able to do it all. Those of us who are physically strong may need to carry the sick from their beds to the bathroom. We may need to carry the sick to car and drive them to a hospital. We are possibly entering into a season where shepherding one’s spiritual and physical fitness is shepherding one’s community.

8. Create new and appropriate ministry paradigms. Christianity has grown historically despite epidemics and violent persecution. Though our rhythms of weekly services in buildings have blessed many for generations they are not the core of church life. Creativity and community are the core of church life. “What would the Apostle Paul do at such a time as this?” may be the most important question of the day.

I propose that Paul would listen well to government leaders and his ministry colleagues. He’d bathe all of this in prayer. He’d thank God for all that church infrastructure had accomplished in the Western Church. Yet, he’d stay very flexible. He’d not ask for any Christian leader to do what he wasn’t already doing. He’d model. He’d appoint deacons to get in the sick’s homes to help. He’d instruct elders to pray, teach, and touch the sick. He’d be working overtime on blogs, vlogs, and social media. He’d wish everyone a Happy Birthday. He’d check on people individually and in groups. He’d be a very consistent messenger of what it means to live “in Christ.” I suspect that his most memorable teaching would not be in large public sermons but in intimate correspondence over the internet.

Our prayers are with all our friends and family around the world as you wrestle through these matters. We know none of this is easy. We do believe this season will pass. We will be wiser when it’s over. God will be glorified. Christ’s Church will continue to transform many lives.

Mungu akubariki! Mukama abere namwe! Imana ikurinde! May God bless all of you!

Mzee Daudi Jenkins