The Church and Love in the Era of COVID-19

If you have never read the story of Adoniram Judson, you should read it. His story of going into the world to share the Gospel with people who have never heard of their creator, starts and ends with suffering. He left America on a ship bound for England where he was to seek financial support to start missions work in Burma. Instead, he found himself a prisoner and in jail. Later, once finally commissioned and resourced to go on mission to Burma, he departed the east coast of America, his wife by a few weeks at his side, wondering if they would survive the voyage. His time in Burma was defined by illness, hardship, death, death, and more death, torture, prison, more death, rejection, illness, death. His story is one of great personal loss despite the dangers, for the sake of being who God created him to be, and to be the light the people of Burma so desperately needed. He lost everything in Burma. Repeatedly. But he never gave up. He never retracted. He never self-isolated. At one point later in his life, he returned to the US where he was welcomed as a hero. He hated that. In his mind, he was simply being a Christian. 

Shortly after COVID-19 upended life in America, the church was rapidly flooding blogs, social media, and forums with questions and answers, offering believers in Christ ways to frame up, reflect, and respond to the emerging crisis. Faced with the fear of the potential impact this virus, which was generally unknown at the time, might have upon us all, the most urgent question on everyone’s mind was, “should we continue to gather?” The gut instinct of many of us was “yes of course,” but the answer, among all streams of the church, was a resounding “no.” The primary reason conveyed was that, “as an act of love to protect the vulnerable among us, we should avoid gathering so we do not spread the virus.” Given the fear, at the time, that everyone could become infected and could die from COVID-19, this seemed an acceptable course of action, for a time. That time period was originally assumed to be a few weeks. Two weeks to be exact. Sprinkled into this debate, I also saw a few comments urging Christians to “submit to the governing authorities,” who were of course advocating for extreme “social distancing.” 

We were wrong. This was never the right decision. Especially not for the church. 

Nevertheless, this new separation was fully implemented and after one month into forced isolation by local governments coupled with strong guidance from the elevated voices of the medical community, the church in America, resolved itself to a watch-from-home model where the dominant pillars of the weekly event (singing and preaching) were streamed live or replayed on TVs throughout America’s homes. Meanwhile, the Biblical hallmarks that have defined the church since it was initially termed “The Way,” (gathering, sharing life, praying, caring for needs, joining in communion, celebrating, mourning) became completely absent. We said it was all in love, of course. In reality, it was out of fear, but we’ll get to that later. Regardless, what has always defined the church was suddenly abandoned by her, in love. 

The church before COVID-19 has often been criticized as largely having become a spectator-sport where the spectators (commonly called Christians) outsource the work of being the church, to a select few who play the part on a stage or conduct activities from their offices throughout the week, as defined by their jobs enshrined in the title of “full time ministry.” That may have seemed harsh, but the point was the church was largely at risk of losing its identity, its power, and its relevance. Now, the criticism cannot be ignored, as this is what the local church has literally become; a streamed presentation, a show put on by people paid to do that. Ironically, this is being justified as the ultimate act of loving our neighbors more than ourselves, so much so, that we decided to physically stop being the church so that those at greatest risk might live a little longer, in more comfort. This model of dispersed church has also yielded responses from people saying through watching their pastors on TV, they still feel connected, but long to be able to return to their buildings. It is interesting to hear people say that by watching someone on TV, they still feel like they are being the church, but they are prevented from attending the church. I’ll save that for another writing. 

This, I am writing to tell you now, is all wrong. Completely wrong. It was wrong at the time, and has been proven wrong by the actual COVID-19 experience as it has unfolded in the United States. The “church” has bought a terrible lie, and is using that lie to be redefined by fear. 

In the face of a global pandemic, what the church should have stood up and said was, “in Christ, we have nothing to fear from sickness and death, and instead, our love for our neighbor compels us to go into the places of greatest need and bring the fruit of the Spirit. Our Lord, Jesus has already defeated death, and He calls us to continue His work on earth.” We are, afterall, the light of the world. We should have said to our neighbors clamoring for the last roll of toilet paper, “we will share with you all that we have.” We should have said to those panicked with fear, “all of you who are scared and need a place to rest, come on over and let’s play some games and share a meal.” We should have said to the lonely that “we are the family of God, and would love for you to come into our homes so we can share family life with you.” We should have said, “if you feel compelled to stay home, but need anything, let us bring to you what you need.” To those who were diagnosed with the virus, we should have said, “can we come over and pray for you?” To those needing an outlet, a place for their kids to play and to share their fears with another adult, we should have said “my home is open, and I’ll have coffee and my ear ready whenever you need it.” To those needing shelter, we should have said “make sure you find safety, and if you cannot, come into our home.” 

We didn’t. We bought a lie, packaged it in love, and shipped it to all our friends. Let me repeat the lie so that I can directly challenge it: the lie said that COVID-19 will affect the majority of Americans, will cause mass illness, mass hospitalizations, and mass deaths that will overrun our medical services, cause shortages in resources through all of life, and could lead to the end of civilization as we know it. The lie said that we can prevent this from happening, if we self-isolate, stop everything, and stay home. The lie said that all will be well, if we just shut everything down, and wait it out. The lie said, this illness is more powerful than Jesus, but we can overcome it by our own determination and will. 

In the backdrop of what we now know to be a lie, let us look to what we do know to be true.

We had nothing to fear to begin with. Jesus said “come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He offers us peace that defies all understanding; rest for our souls. He also said “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.” Luke 12:4-5. Later on in Luke 12, Jesus tells us not to fear about our provisions or situation in life. In fact, He calls us to give up what we have so that we can share it with those in need. No where in Scripture does Jesus promise or promote the idea that Christian living will be painless, easy, comfortable, or effortless. In fact, He calls us to the opposite, driven by the hope that one day death will bring us to Him; a place where we will live in eternity, free of fear, sickness, and pain. None of us are guaranteed another moment of life, let alone what we have come to call a lifetime. Our end doesn’t matter. What matters is how we live, and Jesus calls us to live in boldness, not in fear. The Christian relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse exemplifies this perfectly; wherever there is an outbreak of illness, disaster, despair - they fly in and offer whatever they can to heal the brokenness of the situation. 

That’s what we should have remembered. But we didn’t. Instead we fled in fear and retracted into our homes. So, what happened outside while we were inside? Let’s take a look at what we were (and are) so afraid of. 

This Coronavirus also known as COVID-19, is a seemingly highly infectious virus that can cause serious illness in certain individuals with compromised immune systems, or who have multiple health conditions that place them at a normal state of “high risk.” Fortunately, this has proven to be a very small portion of the public, and the mortality rate in the US from the virus, is somewhere between 0.1% (Stanford research) - 0.7% (CDC). The mortality rate was originally feared to be closer to 5%, and it was assumed that most people who became ill, had a terrible, life threatening experience. It turns out that the virus most profoundly affects individuals over the age of 70, who have three or more pre-existing health conditions, while the risk increases significantly with age. Symptoms mirror those of influenza, with the exception that fever and an increased severity of respiratory illness are the dominant signs of the infection. It very rarely, to the point of statistically almost never happening, represents a significant health risk to the average healthy child or adult in the US. In fact the CDC has maintained from the onset that COVID-19 is a low risk to the individual. There are always exceptions, but they remain the minor portion of this story. The virus is said to be spread through droplets of fluid expelled from an infected individual, most of whom are asymptomatic, meaning they carry the virus but bear no symptoms and are therefore unaware. The virus seems to be exceptionally durable outside of the human body, allowing it to “live” in surfaces longer than prior Coronaviruses. The ease of spread and potential “bad outcome,” are the basis for the broad concern.

From this point of view, COVID-19 is very much like the seasonal flu, with the exception that it may be more virulent, and more extreme in rare cases. However, it differs from influenza in a much more significant way, in that the mass majority of people who are infected with COVID-19, bear no or only minor symptoms. This is a controversial, but true statement. Given the data released to the public, it is not disputable. The mass majority of people who contract this illness will either not know, or will have minor symptoms, often less severe than the flu. It is also true, that the severity of COVID-19 can far exceed that of the flu, in certain individuals. 

Putting this into perspective, based on the experience of COVID-19 in the United States, about 20% of those who have tested positive have symptoms that warrant dedicated medical intervention or hospitalization, and less than 10% require intensive care, with between 99.7-99.9% of those infected fully recovering (variation is dependent upon location and other health factors). This data is somewhat inflated, as given the generally benign or symptomless effect on the average person, we do not actually know how many people are or have been infected with the virus. Testing depends upon the severity of the individual’s symptoms, and the necessity of a test result as the determining guide for effective treatment plans. Some research based on random testing of people “on the street,” has estimated that at least 30% of the population has or has had the virus, but never noticed. Other research conducted at Stanford University among a select portion of the local population, projected that actual infections among the general public are likely 50 times the numbers confirmed by test results. If this proves to be true, then the hospitalization and mortality rates of the virus decrease significantly. With a recovery rate of between 99.7 - 99.9%, reducing the rate any further would make the virus, statistically speaking, impotent. This statistical impotence is further illustrated by the fact that less than 20% of those tested for the virus, actually have it. This figure is well under 10% in most places in the country. Remember, that those tested are largely individuals who have severe symptoms already, meaning something else out there is what is making the majority of people actually sick. COVID-19, despite its reputation for ease of spread, seems to be a minor contributor to the health issues of Americans.

Our social distancing and stay-home practices are often credited with this low impact. However, looking at the timeline of the experience so far, this does not add up. California had one of the earliest sets of confirmed cases in the United States, as TSA Agents at LAX and SJC airports were found to be infected, but asymptomatic. This was discovered in mid-February, but it implies these individuals were infected before the proactive testing began. It can be reasonably assumed that the virus was spreading through airports in early February. Thousands of people fly into California from China every day, and thousands more from around the world. Given that China has been dealing with their outbreak since at least December of 2019, it is totally reasonable to assume the virus first entered the US via one of these airports, perhaps as early as December but certainly between December and February. However, state-wide shutdowns did not go into effect until the middle of March, leaving Californian residents exposed to community spread of the virus, for at least one month before social distancing. If lifting the stay-home restrictions is so risky, why didn’t the outbreak materialize earlier? Florida had avoided shutting down their local communities until weeks after New York City was dealing with hundreds of deaths per day attributed to COVID-19. Yet in Florida, people were still partying at beaches and enjoying life as usual well into the time when the projections should have shown they should be overwhelmed. This, among a state with a high population of at-risk individuals. The projections simply never materialized.

Looking at the virus from a resourcing or impact perspective, none of our greatest fears have come true. Despite “major” outbreaks in multiple states and various degrees of shutdowns, we have far more capacity among medical resources than have been consumed. So much so, that states who previously demanded emergency aid from the US Government, are now sending those supplies back, or are simply not using them. This includes California and New York who were projected to be so overwhelmed, that the US Navy deployed hospital ships to help expand medical facilities and resources. We are told that these ships have been generally underutilized. 

I must pause here and reflect on the lives behind these statistics. I do not mean to convey that any life is insignificant, nor do I mean to downplay or disregard the very terrible experience many people are having with the virus. In my region, there are over 3 million residents, and 0.7% represents 23,100 people, if all 3 million do contract the virus. That is a significant amount of potential human suffering and loss.

However, let us keep that in perspective, because death is an absolutely normal and expected part of life. In fact, those who are in the “high risk” category of this issue, are already reaching the end of the average lifespan of an American, and already bear the signs of failing health. Today, the percentage of deaths in my region represents 0.001% of the population, yet we remain under a medical house arrest under the potentially illegal use of quarantine powers granted to the county government. In fact, many of the deaths attributed to COVID-19 were likely caused by something else, but where COVID-19 was also present. This, while we already, as a society, protect those who are most vulnerable by staying away from them while we are sick, and why those with compromised immune systems avoid certain activities, places, and people, because we know life has risks and ultimately results in death. The time, method, and place are variables largely out of our control. In California, on the average week, approximately 760 people will die from a cause unrelated to COVID-19. That is the accepted normal risk of life we take for granted everyday. Stanford’s aforementioned research concluded that COVID-19 has caused in the state of California, a 6% increase to that mortality number. Again, for the sake of perspective, COVID-19 is quite literally on par with the seasonal influenza in terms of it’s risk and community impact. In fact, this low impact assessment was generally accepted by medical experts in the US Government, as they were projecting a “minor” and “insignificant” impact from the virus on the American public, late into February of 2020, after the virus had been confirmed in multiple states among large populations. 

This national risk assessment changed when researchers in the UK examined the virus’ impact in Wuhan, China, as well as Singapore, and attempted to project what might happen if the virus was allowed to spread among large populations in the US, unchallenged by any mitigating factors (including hand washing and normal sanitization practices followed by Americans). The UK researchers created a data model that projected that as many as 2.2 million Americans could perish from an uncontrolled outbreak of COVID-19, again, assuming zero mitigating factors were in place; factors already in place as a normal part of American life. Almost immediately, the World Health Organization (WHO) who had to that point been downplaying the threat of the virus, declared it a global pandemic, explaining that they felt compelled to do so because governments around the world were not doing enough, in their assessment, to prepare for the potential impact. Many people challenged this mortality estimate from the start, pointing out that just about every “gathering” place or store in the US hosts hand sanitizer stations, where “wash your hands” signs are posted in every restroom by law, and where parents routinely wipe down their children and objects they interact with with sanitizing wipes. Our general germophobia has even made making hand sanitizer at home a normal practice. However, based on this new projection, and as both fear and the virus swept through America, the US Government decided to implement a full-scale shutdown of American life, under the call of “one death is too many.” In most places of the country, this has been extended to a complete lockdown of the public, prohibiting people from leaving their homes for reasons the local authorities determine “non-essential.” Local authorities, even digital road signs, promote the mantra that “staying home saves lives.” We have been encouraged to stay home as a means to prevent an uncontrolled outbreak, as the UK scientists forecasted. “Flattening the curve,” we are told, will allegedly save lives by preventing illness and preventing a drain on emergency services. The church, agrees. In fact the church has been ordered by the state to cancel all activities, and has capitulated, abdicating her role and responsibility and in America, her right.

Yet I must remind you, that death is a normal and accepted part of life. In fact, as Christians, the Word reassures us that death is not something to be feared. The Apostle Paul went as far as saying “to live as Christ lived, to die is gain.” We do not fear death, because with it brings eternity with Christ. We also serve a God who can and regularly does heal sickness, injury, and disease, most often working on the most impactful wounds on our hearts and souls. He promises to be with us, always, and offers blessings to those who walk in His ways. In fact, we, as His followers are called the “light of the world,” which is meant to represent Him and lead people out of darkness. America, right now, is living in the shadow of darkness, and what every American needs more than anything else, is the light of the world, and the hope of salvation. Let us look at that darkness as it plays out through our isolation. 

The general shutdown of American life has meant businesses are closed, schools are closed, parks and public gathering places are closed, and “essential” services such as grocery stores have become a nightmare experience. We cannot go to a restaurant, coffee shop, theatre, hotel, theme park, campground, or any place that allows groups to be in close proximity. In fact, one town in California has even banned churches from singing in their recorded services, and another state has ticketed Christians for gathering in parking lots, while still in their cars to listen to a broadcasted message. Since the “shutdown,” 16 million Americans have filed for unemployment, and small businesses across the nation are at very serious risk of closing permanently, as they have lost nearly all revenue for the last 6 weeks, but must maintain facility and staff expenses, as well as business fees, partnerships, and related expenses that come with having a business. Non-profit organizations are struggling to obtain supplies and continue distribution to those who need them. The financial markets have crashed, costing Americans life savings, retirement funds, and many other tangible investments. Education and youth activities have stopped, placing all the hopes, experiences, and enrichments Children were anticipating from normal life at a sudden end. Recreation has been closed, giving Americans no outlet for play or stress relief outside of their homes. Vacations have been canceled and abandoned, with holidays and personal ceremonies regulated to virtual screen time via Zoom. Children are desperate to play with their friends, parents are seeking ways to provide for their families, and all of us are trying to find ways to stay connected to each other.

Meanwhile, anxiety is universally rising as disruptions extend to all aspects of life. It is being reported that suicides and murders are increasing. Women in domestic violence situations are now stuck at home. Children who are faced with abuse are now facing their abusers all day, every day. People who are stressed and worried about all the uncertainty of life may be leaning on substances to dull their senses, which can lead to addiction, relapse, abuse, and long lasting impacts. People are quite literally dying of unrelated issues, yet are forced to pass their final moments in solitude because we are locked down from them, allegedly for their own good. Children are losing birthday and milestone celebrations, exposing them to depression and loneliness. Governments are rapidly expanding their powers and authority by using a “public health emergency” to instate new “public health policy,” with admittedly no regard for civil rights or our highest law and without due process. Public rallies to challenge government overreach are berated and broken up. People are quite literally being arrested for watching the sunset on the beach, or paddle boarding in the open ocean, or being prohibited to shop for essential goods if they aren’t wearing a face mask, or being banned from hiking trails or camping in the wilderness. 

100% of us have had our lives turned upside down, for the sake of extending the lives of a very small minority who are already near their end. We are nationally paralyzed by an irrational and unfounded fear; one that we took in stride mere months ago, and one which the church uniquely has the answer to absolve. The core human activities which God created in us to experience in community - to eat, work, play, co-create, celebrate, explore - have largely ceased. This is not the way we were created to exist, but the church is encouraging it, in love.

Now that we have that context, let’s get back to the church. The church has held up the “stay home” guidance as a virtue and expression of love and selflessness. In fact, I’ve read it repeatedly in Christian commentary, that to live otherwise (meaning, to not shelter-in-place), is selfish. Why? Because we may be carrying the virus, and by living our normal life in an innocent way, we may expose the at-risk to the virus, which may lead them down a path of difficulty, possibly to death. And so, out of love for that very small portion of our community who we probably don’t come into contact with on a regular basis anyway, we are to sacrifice our lives and the lives of each other, ending what little remained of the church in America for the hope that we may save a few from illness and death. Is that love? No. That is selfishness born from fear. 

Let’s turn to Jesus’ greatest illustrations of love; His death for our sins, and the parable of the good samaritan. In His death on the cross, Jesus himself died so that we might live. He died, so that all humanity before and after him who believed, would have eternal life. That is an exchange of one death to save countless others. All others. Granted, He was innocent and died an unjust death, but His sacrifice cannot be compared to our current crisis where the majority are being asked to die to prolong the life of a few; we are sacrificing everything to postpone the inevitable. Those of us who are not affected by the virus, are being asked to suffer and die, for the sake of those who might. We are all destined for death. Jesus, being God, was not subject to that same human condition. It is not the same act of love. 

The Scripture says “9“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 

Again, one life for many. Jesus did not say “many of you should die, so that a few might live a little longer.” That would be totally inconsistent with His character and His word. Especially as love is almost universally defined in Scripture as serving the needs of others in our lives. To ignore the pressing needs of the majority, to potentially extend the lives of a very small minority is unjust. It is the opposite of what Jesus did.

Regarding love for our neighbor, Jesus told us that if we should see someone in need, we should do all we can to help them, regardless of who they are; enemy or friend. This is the crux of the parable of the good samaritan. Indeed Christians have lived this through the centuries as war and disease have stricken humanity. It was most often the Christians who ran hospitals and went into people’s homes, caring for the sick. It was most often the Christians who ran food pantries and distributed supplies to the needy. It has most often been Christian missionaries who travel the globe practicing medicine for free, gifting those in most need with the resources of health and practical solutions of modern science. It is, afterall, Christians who bring the very presence and power of God to their neighbors. Yet in this time, while our neighbors’ needs are so many and so urgent, we are disregarding them all, because they don’t match the definition of what we have defined is our duty. This is unjust. It is the opposite of good. It is negligence. 

So in this time, as the church, we must ask ourselves, “who is our neighbor, and what do they need?” That is what should compel us to action, in love. That is where we will find our obedience to Jesus’ commands; as we go and do the work of meeting the needs of our neighbors, in the name and in the power of Jesus. 

I argue that the Christian thing to do right now, is seek out those in need, and meet their needs. Start within your family, then extend it to your neighbors. Be the light of the world. 

To the lonely, we should invite them in and gather around them.

To the poor and needy, we should share what we have and provide for their needs.

To the sick, we should bring prayer, care, and wellness. 

To the abused, we should grant them safety and protection.

To the fearful and stressed, we should bring truth and peace.

To those suppressed by unjust laws and regulations, we should bring freedom and justice.

We should celebrate with those celebrating. 

We should play with those who play. 

We should work with those who work.

We should mourn with those who mourn. 

We should live and show the world that death has lost its sting. Illness means nothing when compared to living the life Jesus has called us to and has provided for us.

Church in America, sheltering in place isn’t love; it’s complete selfishness. It isn’t good, it is evil. It isn’t boldness, it’s abandoning ourselves to fear.