IRON SHARPENS IRON Brittany Clubine Throughout church history, God has called His people through difficult times to minister to others and be a light to the world. This year has been a prime example. In March 2020, large numbers of people became infected with a novel virus, COVID-19. Within a few weeks, many states were shut down, with only essential businesses allowed to open. Even churches were asked to cancel in-person gatherings for a while. While many churches found these mandated closures difficult, and some churches felt it was wrong to stop meeting in person, many churches abided by the quarantine in order to hopefully keep their congregants safe. In the face of these difficult and challenging times, the American church collectively and individually had to adapt to the new events. I often heard around my Christian college campus, “They don’t teach this stuff in seminary.” As confusing and difficult as the decisions were, each pastor did their best to accommodate the new restrictions and follow God. In spite of the challenges, pastors across America adapted, making videos and livestreams of their services, allowing multitudes to watch and worship online. And they never stopped ministering to and meeting the needs of their communities. Churches volunteered to partner with food banks and developed safe ways to pass out food. Churchgoers donated large amounts of supplies to ministries to make sure no one within the community was left without. Small groups and women’s ministries met online so people would not be lacking community. It was inspiring and heartening to watch the church come together and be the hands and feet of Jesus, even in these unprecedented times. In many ways the response of the church has been good. However, another emphasis in some churches has had some undesirable effects. When some pushed back against mandates to close church doors and held verses like “do not forsake the gathering” as a banner for Christians to come back in person, an unforeseen consequence resulted.
Some church members and Christians less familiar with all that Scripture teaches received the message that the church is only useful, biblical, and honoring to God when done in a church building in the American traditional concept of church. We know this perception isn’t true; Jesus himself spoke against the rigidity of the religious leaders who claimed that salvation was only possible with works. While it remains important for Christians to meet with one another, this has looked different across the world, across many different generations. This presents an opportune time for our churches to offer resources to families, to encourage men and women to be spiritual leaders in their homes and communities. It is so easy for us to allow Sunday morning church to be the only spiritual feeding we get all week. God wants a relationship with us. That means we must spend time with Him on our own. Our pastors can’t give us relationships with God. It is our job to spend time with our Savior. A church is so much more than a building. It is the people that matter.
"So, his people would learn to serve and his body would grow strong." Ephesians 4:12
PAGE 58 | MINDBLOWING MAGAZINE