I Now Believe Churches May Re-Open This COVID-19 With Certain Safety Conditions
I find myself pretty mixed on Dr. John F. MacArthur's decision to reopen church. I'm not saying that it's wrong per se for him to reopen the church. However, seeing a jam-packed church where there's no facemask and social distancing is not something to be there. MacArthur did write a book called "Reckless Faith" then ends up what could be an example of such. I think reopening church can be done. For me, MacArthur did something both courageous and reckless at the same time. I felt he needed to consider that he may want to reopen but are there safety conditions?
What safety conditions are there? I think the following safety precautions should be set and I pray MacArthur and his associates will do the same:
- Social distancing is necessary. That means those who wish to attend services should first register before they enter. This is to ensure that the church operates at half-capacity. Sickly people and the old should stay at home and attend a virtual service whenever possible. Zoom and Youtube may still be used for the time being. Churches may consider putting tape on certain spaces as to keep one person apart.
- There should be people scanning people's health conditions. If such people are sick then they should be sent home for their own safety and the safety of the pulpit. People infected with COVID-19 or any disease should remember that the Sabbath was made for man - not that man was made for the Sabbath. Also, that means only people with quarantine passes or similar permits are allowed to enter.
- Churches may consider temporarily suspending evening services of all sorts. That means Wednesday night and Sunday night evening services might be suspended for the meantime. The reason has to be that I believe curfews need to be done to help flatten the curve of COVID-19. I think voluntary curfews can help slow down infections. People should be at home by 8:00 P.M. and some people live rather far from their churches.
- If churches consider operating evening services then those who have attended the morning services should stay home. They should also consider cutting down the length of time so people can be at home by 8:00 P.M.
- People entering the churches should have some form of disinfection to lessen the chances of getting COVID-19. If necessary, facemasks and face shields should be done.
- It may be time to consider shortening the length of the services. Wearing facemasks and face shields for too long can restrict oxygen-breathing among people.
- If possible, make the indoor environment breathable and safe so people can at least temporarily take off their facemasks and face shields while the service is going on.
- Pastors shouldn't force their members to show up and be legalistic like the Pharisees. Any pastor who does should be reported over to the authorities.
At this point, it's important to exercise extra prudence in carrying out missions and services. Churches are not really closed in the sense they're not permitted to operate. Virtual services are still going on. Churches are doing what they can to help in reaching out in this time of crisis. Missionaries are still preaching and we're still seeing Matthew 24:14 fulfilled before our very eyes. Churches choosing to reopen should be allowed to do so but should practice safety rules. The churches are sanctuaries and considered as the houses of God but they don't have any miraculous powers to block any infection or ward of all sorts of danger. That would be a very superstitious view of parishes. As said, the keyword is prudence as churches seek to reopen because Christians are getting too bored with not being able to meet. Yet, sometimes the right time to meet in person may not be now just like when God told people to wait, then wait!
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