Church Reopening

“Group 1 contains those who don’t feel vulnerable, haven’t lost anyone they love, don’t know anyone who has suffered from Covid-19, and don’t live in a region strongly impacted. Group 1 feels oppressed by government overreach. Group 2 contains those who are vulnerable, who have lost a close relationship, who know someone who has suffered from Covid-19, and who live near regions that have been seriously impacted.

“Prayerfully extend grace to your brothers and sisters who may see things differently than you do. Go the extra mile to make your church family comfortable by abiding by the collective wisdom of your leaders. If you feel uncomfortable with the decisions your leaders make, stay home a little longer. If you are at risk due to health issues, please be safe and wait.

“…my fear is a member [or] a visitor being someone connected to the contact tracing, and the blame falling to the church”….“I am concerned that when the second wave comes and the authorities need us to close church back down, the conflict and strife will be worse than it is now in the arguments over reopening” …. “My concern as we move to indoor services is for our older, at-risk members. They are among our most faithfully engaged members and will be there when the doors are open.

“The reasons someone might not want to attend church gatherings vary greatly and our pastoral response will be directed to such reasons.

“A Georgia church that reopened after shutting down due to the coronavirus has axed in-person services again in what they describe as ‘an effort of extreme caution’ as several of their families have become infected by the deadly disease.” - CPost

“I think there will be people who are there week one a church is back open, but also people will stay home and continue to watch online. Not only because of ease but also because of fear. And while some will say there shouldn’t be fear, there is.

“1. Most people were nervous about coming back to church. About a quarter of those who answered said they were ready to rush back the very first day….3. They don’t want to be in full rooms. They don’t even want them half full. ..while we may want to try to fill the room to at least 50% capacity, they would rather keep it a little lighter.” - F&T

“Some have asked if I would give churches clear direction as to when they should reopen and how they should go about doing it. Let me give you a few reasons why I will not tell churches when or how they should reopen.” - Mike Hess

“…even with precautions taken, 75% of this choir got sick…. at least one of the 61 singers was ‘known to be symptomatic,’ according to the CDC. Second of all, it was a really long rehearsal. They were in a couple of rooms for 2 1/2 hours. They shared food. They stacked folding chairs together.

“In these moments, we would do well to remember the words of James 1:19 when he calls Christians to ‘Be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.’” - F&T