At the writing of this post, we are experiencing a health crisis, fueled by the coronavirus (COVID-19) that’s gained more attention and a greater response than many of us have seen in our lifetimes. We don’t have to list all the cancellations and closings that you’re experiencing—because you’re experiencing them. Sadly, families around the world are grieving the loss of loved ones, and all of us are experiencing a flood of ever-changing information. So, what can Jesus followers do to live out their faith and be the Church in their community during the coronavirus?
Be Wise
God made you to live with courage—not to create chaos. So wash your hands, practice excellent hygiene, and follow the guidance of health professionals in your community, state, and nation. If you think you may be sick, take precautions, get tested, and know that minimal symptoms for you could become life-threatening for some of the most vulnerable people. And wasn’t it Jesus who often reminded us to protect the most vulnerable? So, if you are, or might be, sick with COVID-19, do everything in your ability to love all your neighbors well by following the recommendations of your governmental health authority. Choose to stay home, if that’s an option for you. Our senior pastor, Craig Groeschel, chose to do exactly that when he self-quarantined for 14 days after discovering that he had been exposed while traveling in Germany. He didn’t do it because he was scared; he did it to protect others.
Be Faithful
Now is not the time to stop giving your heart, time, resources, and energy to the work God is doing through your local church. So many churches, like Life.Church, are doubling efforts during this time with services online, more content like this post, Bible Plans in the YouVersion Bible App, and partnerships with local organizations to serve the most vulnerable. Church is not on pause, it’s powered up and inviting people to be a light during this difficult season. We need you. Ask your local church how you can be most effective and helpful in your community.
Be the Church
If your church building is closed this weekend to join together with the community to stop this crisis, that doesn’t mean your church is closed, because you are the Church!
We don’t just go to church, we are the Church, and we exist for the world. Being a Jesus follower means you’re part of the body of Christ. We may represent many different churches and denominations, but we are one body with many different parts. We’re the flesh and bones of what Jesus is doing in the world. That means for Jesus to be with people who are mourning, anxious, sick, afraid, hurt economically, and worried about tomorrow, we are going to have to live out our faith every day, not just once a week. If your church building needs to close on the weekend in order to join together with the community to stop the spread of this virus, that doesn’t mean your church is closed, because you are the Church! How will you be Jesus in your community every day?
Here are just a few ways you can be the peace, hope, and light of Christ in your community. Please be mindful of the specific situation in your community and follow guidelines provided by local health authorities.
- Refuse the urge to hoard supplies. Be prepared, but don’t be so prepared that others can’t be.
- If you already have more of any supplies than you need, no shame, just share with your neighbors.
- Be empathetic toward others. Don’t just shrug people off and tell them not to worry. Be a kind listener and show them the reason for the hope that you have.
- If it’s possible where you live and you are not experiencing any signs of illness, pick up and drop off groceries for elderly individuals in your neighborhood.
- Choose to be the end of any unfounded rumors you hear. Instead, spread true information and hope. You are the light of the world.
- Start and share this Bible Plan about facing anxiety.
- Offer to pray with people. It’s amazing how often people will gladly accept prayer, and it’s even more incredible to watch how talking to God with others can bring so much peace.
- Discover local needs in your community through your neighborhood association, local schools, city government, and local nonprofits, and find out if there is some way you can help.
- Invite friends and neighbors to Life.Church Online and look into volunteering there.
- Connect with others. We don’t have to be physically present to be emotionally available for one another. We can text, FaceTime, Skype, call, write letters, or email people we care about. Stay in touch with your LifeGroup, family, or friends digitally. Share prayer requests and pray for one another. You can even use the new YouVersion Bible App feature, Prayer!
- Join or lead a Life.Church Online LifeGroup. Physical distance doesn’t mean a lack of social connection. You can meet online! If you don’t currently have a LifeGroup, you can join or even start one entirely online. If you are in an in-person LifeGroup, consider temporarily meeting online using video conference solutions like Zoom, Talky, Google Duo, FaceTime, or whatever platform will work best for your LifeGroup. You can text the Talk It Over questions to one another in a group thread. You can do Plans With Friends in the YouVersion Bible App. There are tons of ways to stay connected digitally, even when you can’t physically.
Finally, keep following Jesus. Set your focus on Him and let Him be your peace. Here’s what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in trying times:
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
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