BY HEMANT MEHTA
This past weekend, he said he would still be having a service… outdoors. Everyone would just drive up and he’d preach from a distance. See?! Problem solved! Stop worrying. He actually told a reporter that would allow the church to “be in compliance… somewhat.” He went on to say the goal was to allow everyone to stay in their cars — quarantined — while still hearing the biblical message.
Except if you look at the video from Sunday’s service, it’s clear that people weren’t just sitting in their cars. They got out and got close to each other, which is exactly what public health officials are urging people to avoid! (continues)
I find that many of my Christian friends feel threatened by this pandemic. Not because it can infect and potentially kill them, but because it somehow threatens their relationship with God. It's such an intriguing notion that they connect the strength of their relationship with God to how many times they sit at a pew each week.
ReplyDeleteI find it ridiculous when there are other ways to preach- an internet post, a video, a sound clip - maybe even printed text for those who do not have access to the others - But I say this as someone who grew up with a family who was devote to a TV pastor. Now is the time to guard your flock, not position them in a high-risk environment. He said he would preach to them from their cars, that is so much less risky then what occurred. I believe someone who truly had the best interests of their congregation would have enforced that claim had they done this.
ReplyDeleteThis could have been a good idea maybe like a drive-in movie, if the people actually said in their cars. I think the people believe that God will protect them since they are going to church, but God doesn't want us to be ignorant.
ReplyDeleteCommunity is a big part of church and it even says in the bible when two or more are gather God is in the midst. I think we should use this time to watch church on the internet and gather with our family and share the word amongst each-other.
"God doesn't want us to be ignorant," but plenty of His flock sure seem to.
Delete..."share the word"... better yet, in this forum, the words.
If people truly stayed in their cars, it wouldn't have been a horrible idea... but of course they didn't stay in their cars. I think with the amount of resources we have this day in age, there are lots of ways churches can host online sermons. We are fortunate enough to live in a time where we can do most things remotely, like our class right now :)
ReplyDeleteI think this kind of recklessness relates directly to what Hagglund wrote of in ch 3, the sense among the devout that nothing that happens on earth is permanent, ineradicable, or even quite real. Their god can do, or un-do, anything for the faithful. Good for them, if that's their choice, but it puts the rest of us in serious jeopardy.
ReplyDeleteHope they are prepared to meet that god they believe in, because they are really pushing their luck. I have a friend whose church is doing this and I think it is so irresponsible and ridiculous.
ReplyDelete