The time has come! Why didn't I think of this sooner? I wasn't prompted. I had thought of it, but details - and maybe that was during the last lockdown? We are allowed to have religious gatherings of up to ten people. Maybe it's time to revisit the concept of small groups or house church. Church isn't illegal, just large groups are and for everyone's health and safety, it's wise to abide by that. In fact, in this way, churches actually have received special favour from the government. Families, friends, and small businesses aren't even allowed to have gatherings of ten, but churches and religious ceremonies are! Maybe we need to stop complaining about what we don't have and start embracing what we do have! In the time of Acts 2, the church was full-out persecuted. Religious gatherings ended up facing public execution, often as a sport in the giant stadiums. And we think we've lost our rights?! Maybe it's time for the church to confidently show themselves in the humble, peaceful, loving Victory that Jesus has given us. If we become too proud, the government might choose to shut us down, but for now, doing so would be illegal.
As much as I'd love to invite the entire Christian world to my doorstep, I think this is a glorious opportunity to invite my fellow faith leaders to do what they can within their own neighbourhood and within the law. Maybe you don't recognize yourself as a leader? If you love Christ, I pray that you seek that calling to share His love!!! If you know how to say a simple prayer, if you can at the very least play a hymn on youtube or your cd player, if you can stumble through an online sermon or simply gather for a Scripture reading, you're well on your way. If you can place a chair or two, six feet apart, even better. Where two or more are gathered, Christ is with us. The weather is improving, so we're more able to do this outdoors, which increases the opportunities for some. For increased safety, encourage people to bring their own lawn chair(s).
We can do this! We just have to want to. We know how isolation is having a strongly negative affect on society right now. It would be a great time to try to offer something family-friendly, to include children, youth, the elderly. Your neighbourhood mom or dad might really love a coffee-less break with another adult! You might be able to offer something prepackaged, such as a juice box, a can of sparkling water, or a granola bar. If you don't have any toys, a pen and some paper can entertain for a bit! If they're too young for that, a pot and a wooden spoon for an impromptu drum solo! Maybe you and the mom or dad can entertain with a VBS song and dance! It'll be good for everyone! :D There's lots available on youTube! Just don't really "break a leg"! ;)
Whatever gifts God has given you, it's time to explore them! Of course, now would also be a good time for the reminder to practice the buddy system. Never be alone with a stranger or any vulnerable person. Protect them and yourself. I know that I shouldn't have to say this to most people, but don't ask for money, please! God will meet your needs and most households aren't set up as non-profit charities that can offer tax receipts. If someone offers to bless you with a love gift, it's ok to accept. This makes me think of Queen Elizabeth II who isn't allowed to turn down any gift. Be a queen or a king and accept any gift, graciously, but there should be no need to ask and certainly do not set any expectations. People are hurting and suffering. We are not to exploit them. We need to be a Godly blessing to them, now, more than ever!
I feel as though I would love to set up a social media site to let people know where there are gatherings but I also feel as though that might become a battle field with critics. I think we need to just keep it low profile, within each person's circle. Invite a friend to invite a friend, if you can manage the safe distancing for two. :) If you need any help planning or organizing, let me know. I'd be happy to help. 226-231-0914 or find me on FB.
For Ontario, here's our current guidelines:
"Weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies
For weddings, funerals and other religious services, rites or ceremonies:
- physical distancing must be maintained
- guests must wear masks or face coverings
- capacity limits:
- indoors or outdoors: 10 people maximum
Drive-in services, rites or ceremonies permitted, subject to certain conditions.
Virtual services permitted."
A Bible study or sermon can absolutely be considered a service or ceremony. One other necessity would be the proof of an "organized" gathering. You'll need to do contact tracing and screening. Name, phone number, and yes or no to the standard questions: symptoms, contact with someone with covid, have you been out of the country? Just keep a list in case you're ever confronted by any authorities, which could include the police or your local health unit and you should be just fine instead of fined. We are held accountable to God and to the government that He allows in office.
If you do not have the ability to host a "house church", you can still have a religious gathering, perhaps at a local park or along the trail. If you need to have your gathering in a public place, though, I would strongly consider keeping this even smaller than the limit of ten. Mask exemptions don't even seem to exist anymore under the new guidelines, so do what you can about that and absolutely protect your social distancing. In public, it's even more likely that you are being watched. Let this be for good reason!!! You may find others who need a tiny church gathering, a time of prayer and learning about the love of God! And do I even need to say it, but for the record, no, you can't just go ahead and throw a party and call it church. LOL
So, the time has come if you're not doing this already! Be a blessing and be blessed! Psalm 122:1, "I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” (NLT) If we want to sit and wait for this to be over, there are top experts who recognize that we have not conquered other viruses such as the flu or the common cold and that this may never end. Time is valuable. What are we doing with it? The time has come! We must move forward!!!