Ministers Blogs
“What to do when I cannot go to Church Services?”
Categories: WorshipTonk Talk
As I think about the current situation, with the coronavirus, it is very hard to know what to do socially and with regards to the church. I admit I am the first one to suggest that we should not cancel our worship services, but as I listen to different health care professionals and the warnings of our government, some people should not be out because of health reasons due to the coronavirus. During this unprecedented situation, we find ourselves making changes in our daily life to help us to avoid and not spread this virus. One of those changes we see Christians having to make is to our regular times of worship and Bible study.
So, what should we do if cannot get out to church services or what if our worship services and Bible study time are canceled? Here are some suggestions:
·Have a family devotional. As we read in the Book of Acts, we see that many times the early Christians met in their homes for worship, prayer, Bible study, sing, and partook of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 5:42; 12:12; 16:15; 16:34) we may very well have to do this temporarily until this virus passes.
·Read your Bible, pray and sing. It might be you have no family and are unable to get out due to health reasons. So, you might want to take the example of Paul and Silas in Acts 16:25 who were in prison yet prayed and sang. Or John the Apostle in Rev. 1:10. He was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. John was unable to assemble with the church so he did what he could and spent time with God anyway.
·Other suggestions might be to listen to a gospel sermon on tape, CD, or online. Camden Ave. has many past sermons on our web page, other faithful congregations’ live stream their services as well. One could also go to In Search of the Lord’s Way website https://www.searchtv.
We need to remember that just because one cannot make the services at the church building does not mean it is a day off from school or from work in which it is a free day to do whatever we want. Heb. 10:25 is still commanded and although we might be prevented from assembling for one reason or another, we need to still spend time with God and His people as best we can. Remember John the Apostle as he was banished to the Island of Patmos, for his faith, still spent time with God, on the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10), may we strive to do the same if we are unable to assemble with the Body of Christ.
I realize that change is difficult, but I believe we are in a situation where we are forced to change, but we must not be forced to give up our time with God and our fellowship with one another. These suggestions are an effort to encourage each one to grow in our faith with God and our fellowship with one another, while at the same time trying to guard the health of our members and community during this unusual time.
Written by Mark T. Tonkery, Minister Camden Ave. Church of Christ:
