Sundays During Lockdown
06 Jan 2021
Despite the fact that we are now back into an indefinite period of national lockdown, the government have clearly stated that churches can remain open for public communal worship. This is a reversal from their position in previous lockdowns, and a wonderful answer to prayer.
It is therefore right that as a church we should continue to worship together. The Lord gathers his people together on his day to speak to us and to receive praise and glory. Public gathered worship is important not just for us as Christians, but for the country as a whole as it puts on display his greatness and salvation and calls every human being to give him the praise he deserves through Jesus Christ. The church is a corporate body, not just a collection of individuals in our homes, and we are whole human beings (body and soul), so physically being together is vital - church cannot ever be fully replicated online. Important aspects of what we do are undeniably physical and corporate (such as taking the Lord’s Supper together).
Since last July we have followed every aspect of the COVID-19 secure regulations for churches, This can never reduce risk to zero, but it does mean that being in a church building where the regulations are being followed is one of the safest places that you can be.
It is very important that during this period we follow the regulations with precision. This means that there must be no mingling between ourselves before or after the service, as well as remembering the “hands, face, space” message (sanitising our hands on entrance and exit, keeping a 2 metre distance between households, and wearing a face covering).
I realise that there may be questions that come as a result of this decision to continue to meet. One is “Who should attend?” I recognise that all our situations are different and we each need to decide for ourselves and our families before the Lord. It is vital that if we have tested positive for COVID-19 or are displaying any symptoms, or have been contacted by test and trace, we stay away isolating for the recommended period. Also, those who are shielding or acutely vulnerable should not attend. We are continuing to provide a live stream option for you, which will be accessed through the website.
However, as a Minister I would want to gently encourage you if you are not in those situations, but are nervous. I appreciate that there may be good and godly reasons to be concerned, such as sincere love for others. Please still come and worship together. The Lord meets with his people in a special way in public worship (it is for our good). It should be our first priority (it is a command). I cannot promise that it is risk free, but there is nothing in our life which is. I do know though that the Lord honours those who honour him.
This is also a witness to our neighbours. I know we might think that continuing to meet is the opposite - “wont people around worry if they see us coming to church in a lockdown?” It is absolutely vital that we are seen to keep all the rules as we enter and exit the building. But, corporate worship is our greatest witness to the world. We are declaring how great the Lord is and worthy of our time and praise. We are hearing the gospel, which is the answer to death itself. It may well give us opportunity to give a “reason for the hope that is in you”, if we are asked about why we would take the risk, given the situation in the country. And we can earnestly pray that the Lord will use the fact that churches are now open in the midst of a pandemic to draw people in. We can pray that our neighbours will be asking serious questions about and life and death, and come to hear the gospel and be saved.
Although it is important we continue to gather for worship on the Lord’s day, I recognise that we have some freedom as to how much we do that. I am committed to beginning and ending the day with a service, but it seems wise during this period to meet in the mornings only together in the church building (for a morning service 9.15, repeated at 10.30). This means that our evening worship will take place online only - recognising that this is not the same as a worship service. We will do what we did during November, meeting on Zoom at 6.30 for a time of prayer, and I will continue our series in Joshua. I will record the sermon as I preach it, and upload it to our church website once it is finished for those who cannot join live.
It is important for me to stress that this email comes from me personally. There are a mixture of views across the diaconate on this whole situation, as there will be across the church. However I am very grateful for them and to them for giving this step their support, as I thank the Lord for their service during the whole of this difficult period.