The Scattered Church: It's Not a Bad Thing

By Pastor Kevin Van Wyk
Some are arguing that separation of church and state, and that the instruction to "not forsake meeting together" in Hebrews 10 calls the church to continue meeting on Sunday mornings. This response to COVID-19 rejects… 

• Paul’s mandate for Christians to obey governing authorities (Rom. 13:1–7; 1 Pet. 2:13–17); 
• Biblical teaching that the Church is people, not a building (1 Peter 2:5);
• Jesus’s call to do good on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:12); and
• Jesus’s command to love our neighbors (Matthew 22:39).

 
Continuing to meet physically together also rejects our understanding of suffering. As Christians we believe God permits Satan to cause suffering (Job 1), but that God promises to bring good out of these difficulties for those who love God (Romans 8:28). This may be the difficult teaching (John 6:60) which caused many to turn away from Jesus. (At least in part, the idea of eating the body of Christ and drinking his blood implies sharing in his sufferings, yet continuing to obey by faith.) Living in physical isolation is a form of suffering. The earlier church experienced this and has a valuable lesson to teach us.  
 
In Acts 8 we read about the persecution of the believers following the martyrdom of Stephen. Thousands of believers were driven from their homes, businesses, and home-churches into other communities. They did not go into hiding, but boldly stepped into a new reality: dispersion into the world. Check out what Luke says…
“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” Acts 8:4
 
We are in much the same situation. (Well, very different too.) Our new reality does not permit carrying on as usual. There is no more crying out, “but we’ve never done it that way before.” This is a new day and God is calling us to go and preach the good news of Jesus. I urge everyone to step up intentional efforts to love our neighbors.
 
Call a neighbor; someone next door, a shut-in, a mom with kids at home, a friend you’ve not heard from lately, a healthcare worker, a college student, a kid… Every one appreciates a call! I recommend you ask them how they are doing, share a fitting bible verse, and/or pray for them. 
 
Don’t wait for people to call you! Take the initiative! 
 
Check out what Luke says happened when the churches dispersed…
 
“The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21
 
Lord, may your hand be upon us too. May you instill in us a faith that crushes fear and a love for others that casts fear from others. Use us in this time of need to bring people from fear to faith! Amen!