Hello! Where's the Church Gone?

HELLO! WHERE IS THE CHURCH GONE?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

As we grapple with the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic, several questions abound. What with locked churches, schools and colleges? How long will this situation persist and how shall we cope with its devastating effects?

Perhaps a far important question for Christians is thus: where is the church now that we are unable to gather together in worship?

Some charismatic preachers say that the Church cannot be properly constituted without a congregational gathering. On this score, they vow to defy the authorities.

One preacher insisted in his Facebook page that he will gather his congregation in the normal way despite the Government restrictions. He even announced a Kesha, (overnight prayers) for his church.

So do we truly have the church when it has been dispersed by the authorities as is the case now? Has the church been dissolved? Can the gathering around the family table constitute the gathering of the church? Is there a biblical minimum for the gathering of a church congregation?

The Church is collectively known as the Ekklessia, a Greek word that literally means "the called out".

1 Peter 2:9 is perhaps a tribute to the unity and sanctification of the church as a special community of God's people that has been set apart for His divine purposes. This is also affirmed in Titus 2:11-14.

There are three common expressions of the Church.

First, the universal church consists of the  sum of all believers in the world irrespective of their  geographical, racial or ethnic distinctions.

The second expression is the invisible Church. This is based on the biblical teaching that God knows those who are His. 2 Timothy 2:9 says: "Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (NKJV).

This is the community of God's people that Christ has ransomed to Himself and is known to Him.

The local church or Christian assembly is the third expression of the Church. This consists of believers within a given locality who congregate together under a common leadership. This is perhaps the clearest image of the church that is familiar to many.

The New Testament Church gathered in homes of believers primarily because it was in its formative stage. There was however a compelling reason for house churches. The Jerusalem Church faced severe persecution from the Jewish religious leaders and the Roman authorities (Acts 8:1-3; 12:1-2). This kept the church away from public gatherings. They assembled in homes behind locked doors (Acts 12).

Under the present COVID 19 pandemic, the authorities have banned all public gatherings including church services until the pandemic is contained. This has left some believers wondering what should happen going forward if the situation persists for long.

My view is that the church is properly constituted even without regular gathering of congregations. Every believer is a child of God (John 1:12) and this is a standing position at all times. This is the minimum threshold for our belonging in Christ.

How should believers cope with the present circumstances?

With the benefit of modern technology, believers can still connect with one another and share exhortations online. Pastors can share  sermons through social media platforms. Every believer should observe their Christian obligations on spiritual discipline. They should pray, study the word of God and reach out to others with the gospel of Christ using technology.

What is perhaps the greatest limiting factor is the partaking in the Holy Communion and communal worship. This requires believers to gather together for this purpose (1 Corinthians 11:33).

There are other critical logistics that require meetings and gatherings. It is therefore difficult to entirely dispense with Christian gatherings without impacting on the efficiency of the Christian ministries.

However, as law abiding citizens, we should submit to the regulations of the state on hygiene and social distance.

As we all gather in our homes, let's consider this as a golden opportunity to strengthen our family fellowships and worship. We should regularly study the word of God and pray together.

Yes the Church lives on in us all...


Shalom



© Ezekiel Kimosop 2020