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Perspective: The Church And COVID-19

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Last week, at a press conference Governor Pritzker shared his plan to re-open the state of Illinois. This plan was developed with the help of Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of Illinois Department of Public Health. Two major milestones of the plan are that 50 percent of adult state residents are vaccinated, and a steady decline in hospitalizations, mortality, and infection rates for a 28-day monitoring period. After almost 18 months, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel.

Years from now, it will be interesting to see how historians document this unique time in American history. Why was wearing a mask politicalized? Why was the United States so slow to react to the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic? As a Christian pastor who teaches church history, I’m curious how historians will portray the American Christian church. At the beginning of the pandemic, when precautions were implemented, several sued the governor for violating their First Amendment right to assemble. Many churches didn’t shut down, reduce capacity, or require masks be worn during worship.

I struggled with the decision to suspend in-person worship for the congregation I serve. Suspending in-person worship wasn’t about a lack of faith, but an abundance of wisdom and love.  The scared scripture says: “The reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Christianity is not about religion, it’s about relationship. One of the greatest commandments given was to love our neighbor as you love yourself.

I fear when history is written, too many churches will be found on the wrong side of history. Wisdom and faith are not opposed; they work in partnership.

I’m Joe Mitchell and this is my perspective.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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