Living as the Church

Some thoughts from Pastor Tim Miller…

It seems like only yesterday in some ways and an eternity in other ways since the March 16 orders to disallow groups of more than ten to assemble. At no time in our nation's history has a quarantine of this magnitude ever been done. A lot of us are getting cabin fever and others are desperately worried about working to provide for their families; both very natural and very real concerns. They cause tremendous amounts of stress and emotional trauma. At this point, all we can do is pray and adapt. Both are something we should be doing with faith and grace.

Some Christians and Christian groups have begun to foment unrest in regard to the "shelter in place" mandate all under the guise of Freedom of Religion. Yes, as Americans we do have rights guaranteed by our Constitution. And yet it hasn't been uncommon for Christians to surrender "rights" in our obedient discipleship in Christ. I think now is just such a time. The church can still be the church even if we don't all gather on Acacia and Girard. Many of you are meeting via Skype and Zoom, others are making regular phone calls, and still other are carefully visiting those in need.

At this point, the government has not outlawed church, Christianity or any expression of it short of meeting in a room together. While we are used to having significant freedoms, there is concern that insistence on exercising our freedoms too soon could put many vulnerable people at risk— not to mention put our public testimony on shaky ground.

When we do meet again under the same roof, we are probably wise to, at least for a while, continue some of the elements of social distancing. We must remember that in many countries around the world being a Christian is illegal and meeting as a church is completely forbidden. In my own family's history, my pioneer relatives could only go to church once every three months. Why? Because there was no church building to meet in and only one itinerant pastor over a number of settlements. When church did meet, they camped out for a week and had meetings morning and evening with prayer and Sunday school in between. This is where the faith and grace of adapting to present circumstances is so important to our public testimony.

I would suggest that if someone is insistent that nothing stop us from meeting together and that we assert our "rights" that they spend time in Philippians 2, Romans 12 &13 as well as 1 Peter. There are many New Testament examples of God's faithful setting aside preferences, desires, and even "rights" to be obedient to authorities and each other. Focus a bit on the depth and breadth of Romans 12:18. Remember in all of this, our attitudes must be in line with the teachings of Christ and the leading of His Spirit. Being overly zealous or even pugnacious at this time is unadorning to Jesus. 

Sadly, I have seen examples of churches thumbing their noses at the law and meeting in large groups. If that is truly what God is telling them to do, for whatever reason they discern, then that is between them and God. But between you and me, I saw people who were demanding that they be allowed to worship together and did so as a "public declaration of their faithfulness to Christ" which is all well and good—except that many of these people never publicly declared Christ at their work, school, or any other social gathering when they had the total freedom to do so. I have found that when combative attitudes are displayed that hypocrisy is bubbling just beneath the surface.

In all of this we each need to seek the Lord and discern how He wants to change us during this season, and how He wants to use us for His purpose today and through the future. While this season is both stretching and damaging, we have a great and glorious God who can use any soul and any situation to His glory, if we but listen and obey. 

If you are looking for some guidelines or goals during this time of quiet (except for those of you with kids in the home) and isolation, might I suggest finishing one good Christian book; reading through the whole New Testament; and memorizing a chapter of Scripture; adding to your prayer list, any of these are a wonderful gift to not only yourself and others, but honoring to Christ. In all that we do we should do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.