Bishop Todd on Churches Resuming Public Worship Gatherings

by Bishop Todd Hunter

As some states are relaxing COVID-19 restrictions, I know many of you, like me, are eager for your church to resume physical Sunday worship: in a physical space, experiencing warm, embodied fellowship, seeing smiling children playing. Thinking of the Apostle Paul, “I do not have a command from the Lord,” about resuming meetings, but I do want you to know that I am continuing to work closely with the Rectors of all C4SO churches to help them each discern the best way and time to reopen in the future.

I recommend that we don’t try to meet in public too soon. Yes, we have the constitutional right to gather, but I am convinced that the accent in this moment should be on our spiritual responsibility to love and serve our neighbors by protecting them from catching the virus in large crowds. This is especially true for the elderly who attend many of our churches.

I realize millions of people are suffering grave harm from economic realities, but churches are not restaurants or boutique shops. By nature, we are crowds in close confines. I would much rather look back and say, “We were a few weeks late in opening,” than “We opened too soon and inadvertently contributed to the virus spreading again and people losing their lives.”

When you begin again to meet for worship, remember that your church activities and Sunday gatherings may look different in the COVID-19 reality. All of us are doing the work of reimagining church for a new reality based on federal, state and local laws. Change is not something to fear. In the midst of the anxiety you may feel, take a special moment to remind yourself to be kind and patient with yourself and others. Support and pray for your church’s leadership team as they discern how best to embody your vision and values in the days ahead. I have confidence in them—and in you.

We are alive at a crucial point in human history. We are making history through being the Church in these uncertain times, through how we respond to COVID-19. Our churches have not been closed and now can be opened. The Church is a body of people, and I know the vast majority of you, while suffering the significant loss of Sunday worship, have been totally open for spiritual business, striving to do the right thing and to love and serve your families, neighbors and co-workers.

COVID-19 is clearly an unpleasant threat to all of us. But there are opportunities for ministry all around too. What fresh opportunities do you see before you? What are your gifts, abilities and capacities? Jumping into the opportunities according to your gifts and station in life will give you special, meaningful memories to look back on.

There are many things we don’t know about this pandemic: How long will it last? Will it come back? How vast will the economic ruin be? Those unknowns are enough to make anyone a nervous-Nellie or anxious-Andy. Thankfully, there are also some things we know for sure:

The Lord is your shepherd. Being in the care of Another means you do not have to live under the tyranny of anxiety.

You are always safe in the kingdom of God. Everything else seems at risk, up for grabs. But God, his rule and reign, are never in doubt. Place your life in God’s kingdom by trusting and following Jesus.

You have the peace of Christ: As Jesus said…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14.27)

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. (John 16.33, MSG)

The peace of the Lord be with you—and a strong anointing of the Spirit be upon you as you resume public worship in the future.