A Statement to the Members of Warrior Creek Baptist Church 19 March 2020
Good morning,
I would like to take this opportunity to begin with a verse from Isaiah 40:12, “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales?” (NASB) In this time of uncertainty and confusion, we as followers of Jesus, have no need to be afraid or unsure. Our infinitely wise and powerful God is in control. Furthermore, our great God has given us the gift of His Church, and we are grateful for the opportunity to gather (Heb. 10:24). Additionally, God has commanded us, in His Word, to submit to the government that He has established (Rom. 13:1-2).
The deacons and I gathered last night to pray for wisdom and discuss how we as a church can glorify God most, love our neighbors, and submit to the government. After much discussion, we decided that it would be most glorifying to God, most loving to our neighbors, and in submission to our government to reduce our weekly gatherings to Sunday morning at 11 for the next two weeks. President Trump, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have offered several steps that we can take to curve the spread of the coronavirus.[1] Therefore, we will not meet for Sunday school, Sunday evening, or Wednesday evenings for the next two weeks. The deacons and I will meet again on Sunday 29 March to discuss the next step for our church.
In the meantime, we ask that you help us in the following ways:
Pray for us as we seek God’s wisdom in the best way to minister to the church and our community, submitting ultimately to God and His Word and secondarily to the government He has established
Pray for God’s hand of protection, His comfort, and His guidance on all those afflicted by the coronavirus. This includes, but is not limited to: families and friends of those who have died, those who have contracted the virus, for the medical staff and their families, for the economic effects which have yet to be seen fully, for churches and their pastors, for government and world leaders as they face tough decisions, and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spread
Observe the guidelines offered by the CDC:
If you are older and/or have severe underlying chronic medical conditions, consider staying at home
If you are sick, please stay home
Clean your hands often by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoid close contact with people in general, and specifically with people who are sick
Maintain about six feet of distance between you and others[2]
Reach out to your neighbors, friends, and loved ones through phone calls and letters. See if they have needs that you can meet. Be a living testament to the God of love.
We are in a time of uncertain, but only because we have never experienced a situation like this. Yet, we are confident, not in our abilities, nor in our government, but in our sovereign God. That is why we can be confident. I end with encouraging words from Isaiah 40:10-11, “Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.” (NASB)
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we pray that the LORD will lovingly guide and comfort you during this time, as we trust you will pray for us.
To the glory of God alone,
Bobby and the Deacons
[1] President Donald Trump, “15 Days to Slow the Spread,” https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/03.16.20_coronavirus-guidance_8.5x11_315PM.pdf, accessed 19 March 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Get Your Community- and Faith-Based Organizations Ready for Coronavirus Disease 2019,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/guidance-community-faith-organizations.html, accessed 19 March 2020.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Protect Yourself,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html, accessed 19 March 2020.