Our Approach to the Coronavirus

Dearest WABC Family,

Your WABC church leaders and family have been closely monitoring the development of COVID-19, known more generally as the coronavirus. We desire to take appropriate precautions out of love for one another, while also encouraging each other and ourselves to put our hope and trust fully in the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Keep in mind, that while COVID-19 is new, such outbreaks are not unique in the history of the world or even the history of the church. Even from the start of this millennium, we've seen outbreaks and concerns stemming from Anthrax, West Nile Virus, SARS, Bird Flu, E. Coli, Swine Flue, Ebola and Zika. However, the Bible reminds us that God is in total control over all things. He declared the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) and He will sovereignly bring about the end of the world as we know it at His appointed time (2 Peter 3:1-13). No person or event can hasten the end even a second sooner or delay it even a second longer than what God has already ordained. This applies to his love and care for each of us individually as well.

SHINE AS LIGHTS

Knowing God’s care for us, we have a wonderful opportunity to shine as lights in this world. While the world and the media has gone into near-mass hysteria, we have an opportunity to stand apart by our calm confidence and hope that can only come from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Use this as an opportunity to show that your hope is not in the present world, but in the eternal state, where we have eternal life (John 3:16). Your confidence in the Lord in the face of such difficult times provides credibility to your faith, which can lead to wonderful opportunities to give a defense for that very hope that resides in you (1 Peter 3:15).

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT

Even in affliction, we know that our God is a God of comfort and mercy, so that He may comfort us while also allowing us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). If we feel anxiety, we know we can go to God in prayer and cast all such worries upon Him, knowing He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding and will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

OUR HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP

Ultimately, we want to remind ourselves daily that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). We are not controlled by the forces of this world, nor are we affected by the schemes of Satan, who attempts to steal us of our joy or rob us of our faith (Ephesians 6:10-12). Rather, we continue to stand firm in our faith (Philippians 1:27) and speak the truth with one another in love (Ephesians 4:15, 25).

EXERCISING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER

None of these truths prevent us from exercising care and concern for one another. In fact, these truths should actually strengthen us to minister to one another in love (Ephesians 4:12-13). Thus, while we are not controlled by fear of this virus, we do want to exercise proper precaution. There are many in our church who are older, physically weaker, or have compromised immune systems. So, we want to be sensitive to their needs and not place them in harm’s way unnecessarily.

PRACTICAL MEASURES

So, while corporate worship is an important priority for every Christian, we also want to exercise wisdom and would ask that you review the following measures.

  • If any of your children has a fever, cough or any flu-like symptoms, or have been exposed to someone with the coronavirus, we would ask you to remain home from all church activities and please notify us of when was the last time you or your children were last on the church campus (and which rooms, so we can ensure they are properly sanitized).

  • We have hand sanitizers distributed throughout the church and would encourage you to use them.

  • We also remind you to properly wash your hands throughout the day, especially after using the restroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or after physical contact with others. When washing, wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.

  • We encourage you to find an alternative method to greet one another aside from shaking hands (perhaps an elbow bump or a salute).

  • In the event that an outbreak directly effects our community and a quarantine or ban is instituted, we will be prepared to provide a live-stream of our service over the Internet, until it is deemed safe to worship together in-person.

IN CLOSING

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with our city officials as necessary. If you have any concerns or needs, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us (pastor, deacons, teachers and/or any of their wives). We are here to serve and to love one another. We hope and pray that this trial will be an opportunity for you to grow in your faith and confidence in the Lord and to also show love towards your neighbors, with the gospel of hope that far outweighs any temporal trial.

Let us strive together with this attitude as expressed by the Apostle Paul:

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

With Love in Christ,

Ekkie