Life on the Pasture

A recent article posted on mlive dealing with the correlation between participating in certain activities and the risk of contracting COVID-19 has gained a lot of traction on the internet and social media. Four public health experts in Michigan rated activities based on five factors: whether it is inside or outside, proximity to others, exposure time, likelihood of compliance, and personal risk level. Activities considered a “10” are the riskiest. Churches were ranked an 8, deemed riskier than playing in a basketball game which was given a 7.

I can only speak for my experience at Beautiful Savior over the past three weekends, but I am particularly sensitive (perhaps oversensitive) to the idea that somehow congregations have not carefully thought through what they are doing and so are putting the health of their members at risk. There is always the possibility of bad things happening to us even when we are extremely careful. For instance, I was watching a Korean baseball game the other day being played in a stadium that was empty except for a handful of workers. Amazingly, one of those workers was hit by a foul ball. And so, in faith, we commend ourselves into our Lord's care. But we are also taught not to test Him. We control what we can control to provide a safe environment. That is part of loving one's neighbor as oneself. 

Here at Beautiful Savior, that has meant offering our worship services online for the past few months and continuing to do so, realizing that there are plenty of people who are in the at-risk categories or who, for whatever reason, are not yet comfortable being in a group environment. There is no pressure to start attending in person. In fact, we are offering another service to keep our attendance for each service below 50. Instead of meeting in the sanctuary, we are meeting in our gym with chairs carefully spaced 8' apart. Everyone comes in through one door with the obligatory warning about not coming in if one is experiencing symptoms. Masks are suggested but optional. There are no printed materials handed out or hymnbooks used. Offering plates are not passed. Holy Communion is offered in small group settings at different times throughout the week. Chairs are wiped down after each service with the appropriate cleaner.

I like to refer to our congregation as the Beautiful Savior family. True families take care of each other and do what they can to support each other. What we do is carefully thought out and implemented, not simply because we have the right to assemble, but in love for our Lord and each other. In fact, some congregations in other parts of the country are still not gathering in person, not wanting to put others in harm's way. Whether we are in person or worshiping online, the center of attention is always our Lord Jesus. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess His name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:15–16 (NIV)

– Pastor Schmidt