By Kim Williams
Special to the AFRO

What would Jesus do during a Pandemic? If Jesus were living during our time, he could heal the sick. Since he healed people infected with leprosy, he surely could heal those infected with the Coronavirus. Well, back at the ranch, our first defense is to rely on our common sense based on the medical professionals and political representatives that provide us with expert advice. Second, we depend on our health professionals and clinicians on the frontline to help us fight this biological warfare. Prayer is important. The world is praying for this pandemic to go away, and as Blacks are disproportionately infected and dying from the Coronavirus, we have difficult choices to make as it impacts the way we worship. Many church goers attend for the social need to gather, while others attend for the resources that the church provides. Church has always been a place for worshipping and a place where the congregation supports one another in trying times or for celebrations; it has always been a family affair. Now during this COVID-19 pandemic, gathering can increase the chances of exposure and can lead to death. Faced with difficult choices, leaders and as well us are challenged. We know that safety is key, however, as churches offer virtual services, those shut in with no Internet access or a computer widens the effect of the digital divide. What would Jesus do during a pandemic?

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On July 27, the Associated Press in Strawberry, Ala., headlined “The Whole Church has got it: dozens with COVID-19 after Alabama Baptist revival. Pastor says churchgoers tested positive after a multi-day event.” The Pastor remarked that he knew what the possibilities would be and was willing to take the chance. Over 40 of their congregation tested positive. Just over two weeks earlier on July 10, the New York Times published an article entitled, “Churches were Eager to Reopen. . .” As they restarted church services, youth camps and all other activities, the Pastor in Texas now regrets his decision to tell his congregation that it is okay to hug. Sixty-five members of that San Antonia church contracted the virus and are now at risk of losing their lives. A teenage girl died last month after attending a church party in Florida. The New York Times database reported 650 coronavirus cases linked to 40 churches. Do the lives of the faithful matter? Of course, you know this answer!

There is no doubt that the numbers of American’s deathly ill, laying on their deathbeds, or have died because of this disease is forcing us to make serious life or death decisions related to the activities that could put our lives and our loved ones lives at risk.  As the Coronavirus ravages our communities, the faith-based community has a responsibility and obligation to be a good steward of God’s people. Some faith-based leaders are saying that state rules limiting service sizes infringe on their constitutional right to worship.  The New York Times also reported that in May, the president declared places of worship part of an “essential service” and threatened, though it was uncertain he had the power to do so, to override any governor’s orders keeping them closed. 

Public health experts warned us that even with social distancing the virus can easily spread through the air when hymns are sung and sermons preached inside closed spaces. We need to be careful and make the best decisions for ourselves. It is time to be creative. We are, in fact, co-creators with God. It is important for many to participate in worship and certainly it’s good for the soul, but let us be wise and practice good common sense. Living in this unprecedented time of biblical proportion to the extent of millions dying from the catastrophic event known as the SARS-Co-2, the faith-based community can pivot like businesses, small and large. Churches can set-up like the old fashion drive-ins and people stay in their cars. Last Sunday, there was a church on Windsor Mill Road in Baltimore County with a long line of cars waiting to pick up food from the church’s food pantry. These options seem like the safest way to worship and serve the community.

Cultural decisions, indecisiveness and indifferences will claim many lives. It is obvious that Coronavirus has created a major social disruption, which can lead to fear and massive deaths. We can learn to modify our behavior. We are blessed with advancements in technology that did not exist during our ancestors and the ancient Hebrews in biblical time. God is with us. Gods is in us. God created us. There are many ways that we can worship. My family created a group text and every morning and throughout the day, we fellowship. Create a safe way to serve God, not man so you can live to tell your story!