It has been a year.

          A year ago, we were all plunged into the COVID-19 mess. Our church was shut down for weeks, but there are cases of some churches that have yet to reopen. In some places, state governors or city mayors fined or even jailed people for gathering together for any reason. When sporting events were eventually allowed to recommence, there were often cardboard cutouts of people in the stands and crowd noise from previous games piped into the venues. Social distancing and masks and hand sanitizer all became the rule, and for some reason there was a run on the purchase of toilet paper. The whole thing was politicized and greatly affected our political structure, perhaps for generations to come.

          So now, a year later, we see new cases going down throughout the country except in isolated areas. We are learning that death numbers were exaggerated in some places. We are dealing with a new normal. We see that with people staying home more, domestic violence, drinking and tobacco consumption all increased. Jobs have been lost and some businesses have been closed for good. People going into the hospital or into nursing care facilities are only allowed phone calls or, for the lucky few, visits by loved ones standing outside their windows and talking to them over the phone. Sometimes you can get in to see them, one at a time, if they are dying within 48 hours. But then you have to garb up like you are going for a walk on some barren, alien planet. This, we are told, is the responsible response. We are left wondering if things will ever get back to where they once were. Will we ever feel safe? Will we shakes hands again or give hugs or kiss a favorite aunt. How has our society changed?

          For me, being a Christian means I have lived outside societal norms all my adult life. How society has changed is far less important to me than how this pandemic has affected other Christians.

          The definition of religion is; the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal god or gods. I wince when I hear someone say they watch a sport religiously, or they watch TV religiously, or they spend time with their family religiously. Since we have language, we should be aware of what we are saying. Such people are actually saying that sports or TV or family are their god. The same goes for the person who says they go to church religiously. Church should not be your god.

But back to the definition. Many religious people have ceased going to church because of the pandemic. Maybe their church has shut down, maybe their denominations have shut their churches down, maybe their fear has caused them to stay away from church. Will they go back now that restrictions are easing and vaccines are available? They are religious. They can believe in that superhuman controlling power from home. They can worship that superhuman controlling power from home. Do they really need church? Not according to religion. It can all be done in the home or at a park or walking through the woods or strolling through a bean field. Church is not necessary for the belief or worship of a superhuman controlling power.

           But, what of Christianity? Christianity is separate from religion. Christianity is not the idle worship of some superhuman controlling power. In Christianity, we are not controlled. We are united in a blessed family and our response to Christ is out of love, not obligation. Hebrews 10:19-25 says this; 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh, 21 and since we have a great Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. So, what is the author of Hebrews saying? He is saying that through the sacrifice of Christ and the eternal life that is provided by that sacrifice and the blessings we can enjoy right now, we MUST gather together. Some can say they gather with their families, but is that a true worshipping experience? As I write this, I just had one of the sweetest examples of the Lord’s blessings fall upon our church. God is so good to His people! We MUST gather together.

          So, what has the pandemic done to your Christianity? Not your religiousness. That is different. But after this year, are you a better Christian, or have you used a situation to back away? With the vaccines, it appears to be under some kind of control. So, how has it affected you?

I can tell you how it has affected our church. From the start, we have encouraged folks in the crisis groups to stay home. Many have. But some of those are ‘plotting’ their return. Looking forward to walking through the doors because of the vaccinations. Rejoicing to be back in the presence of brothers and sisters in Christ. By Easter, many will have returned. And even without the vaccinations, folks have been blessing the congregation with their presence. New faces, new members, new energy. As a people of God, we are rebounding. Stronger than before. We have seen suffering and death, but that is part of being a family. I look at our people and I see the power and grace of God. The religious folks can change their life habits if they like, but the Christian folks have drawn closer to the Lord.

Technology has helped. Mary Earle and I write blogs that are read in at least 80 countries. Every month we have right at 400 views of our worship videos and they are also available to anyone in the world with internet access. We can keep our people informed and united in a time when we are told we have to limit contact. But tech cannot replace the sound of a baby trying to sing with the music, tech cannot replace someone tearfully announcing the coming birth of a grandchild, tech cannot replace the sharing of a funny story before church between two friends. Tech cannot replace being here, taking your seat, resting in the grace of God and being with your brothers and sisters.

I have kind of a different take on this than most. The day is coming when Christianity will be persecuted. Christians will be prevented from going to church or from gathering. Such restrictions will come about in a seemingly normal manner. People won’t revolt. The government will explain that there is no choice. We see this in prophecy. I see this last year as a scaled down version of that coming day. If we can’t stand for the Lord during this time, how can we stand when the real crisis comes? The religious have shown that they won’t stand. But here, at the Yoke, we see Christians rising up. When the vaccinations take complete hold, I expect some of our folks in the crisis groups to come back and rise up as well.

So, we have been at this for a year. Are you a better Christian than you were a year ago? That should be a normal progression. No virus should affect your Spiritual growth.

I have seen so many wonderful things happen this COVID year. Some frustrating and sad things, too. But to see Christians overcome is the greatest joy a Pastor can have. I am proud of the people of this congregation and proud that you have invited me in to be your Pastor these last five years.