The Christian Church During This Pandemic

I am an only child born to Christian parents. As long as my mind could weave back to the farthest past, I have always been going to church. Sunday is church time for the family. My father never missed out church. Not until he grew old and sickly. I do remember grumbling in my heart why would we have to be in the church every Sunday and sit on the pew to listen to boring sermons! I also wondered why reading the Bible is so necessary (my father never quit reminding me to read the Bible) even when I could barely understand what each line means! But here I am now, nearing 40 years old, loving every bit of His Word and loving to be in the church. My father, David, who died 2 years ago had been the prominent figure who patiently endured my pouty demeanor and kept on teaching me to read the Bible. I am always grateful to the Lord for giving me a faithful father who led me to the greatest treasure in life, faith in Jesus Christ!

Church is one of the central things to a Christian family. As I have mentioned above, we always go to church. As what my parents have taught me, that is also what I teach to my children today. Every Sunday we are to be in the church. Christians all over the world do this. The church is not only a social emblem but the very representation of faith of Christianity. This may bring dilemma to many who sees the church, the physical building, the only secure and holy place to have a communion with God in prayer.

Where is the church in this pandemic? Because of lockdowns and community quarantines, the church today rarely opens. When it opens, it only ushers in a handful. And, not every member of the church, is excited to attend the mass or the service since majority of the people wants to be safe in their homes from COVID-19. Where is the church now? The physical church, which is the building, may not be that useful as it was before. Masses or services could not be done frequently anymore. But it surely cannot make the church non-existent! Jesus said,

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

– Matthew 18:20

And Apostle Paul teaches,

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”

– 1 Corinthians 12:27

These mean, the Church of Jesus Christ, transcends the physical. Because wherever we are, when we pray in Jesus’ name, God is there with us. Moreover, we are the ones that make up the church. We may not be together now as one, but it does not and cannot diminish the working of Holy Spirit in us. Let us take a look at the early Christian church in Acts.

“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.”

– Acts 2:46

They worship God together in the temple but they also worship God together in the confines of their home. We may be limited by distance in this pandemic, but God’s Word is not bound (2 Timothy 2:9) and God Holy Spirit resides in every being who is in Jesus Christ.

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”

– 1 Corinthians 3:16

So where is the church now during this pandemic? It is in every home who pray and worship the Lord Jesus Christ consistently and with endurance in this trying times. And this role of every believer is a must today. It is a very crucial role today and we have to take this role with joy and faith in Jesus. This is such a great privilege to be able to intercede in prayer for our nation, our churches, and our government. When we are inside our homes praying, the devil trembles and our mighty God works to our healing and redemption.

“Come, my people, enter your chambers, and shut your doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the fury has passed by.”

– Isaiah 26:20