Everybody Can Give ... Well, Almost

May 2020 • The Christian Index 3

In this coronavirus (COVID-19) time, there is much that can be talked about that concerns the church, or its members, or both. These can be placed into three categories: medical, social, and spiritual. Certainly, the big media outlets are covering the medical aspect, and the social aspect is being covered everywhere. Mayors and governors are taking the lead in government's response to the crisis, and President Trump and other federal officials and legislators are also responding. Most church and religious organizations have taken heed to issued health warnings and calls for social isolation and are limiting, if not, temporarily suspending member contact through gathered worship services and church meetings.

As for the CME Church, we were among the first to call for limited contact and then suspension of public religious services and meetings, suggesting the use of social media platforms and other forms of modern technology a substitutes for a face-to-face, physical presence. Members and leaders who have exhibited symptoms or have tested positive for the virus are responsibly going into self-quarantine, while others of our denomination who have responsibilities and ministries of public service continue to put their very lives at risk so that others may have the possibility of improved or restored health, and continued enjoyment of some of life's privileges.

I have heard and read of churches and individuals who are preparing food for those in the community who are sick and shut-in, offering tutoring and child care, carrying or sending hot food to hospital workers and first responders, and giving such things as canned goods and diapers out of their own pantries and closets to those who find only empty shelves in places they once took for granted would always be stores of plenty.

We do not know how long we and the world will be in such a state of isolation and shut-down. Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari just yesterday, March 29, 2020, ordered a 14-day shut down of the major cities of Lagos and Abuja for two weeks, after, I believe, just one reported death and a relatively low number of confirmed infections from the virus. Only God knows. In the meantime, everybody can do and give something to help others. The church is no exception to this statement. Like other entities in the world we cannot escape this pandemic and its impact on every facet of life. However, in the face of all that has already been stated and not even mentioned regarding all that is being done, there is one thing I have not yet mentioned.

What I have not mentioned is giving. Specifically, I mean the giving of tithes and offerings to our local churches, and the payment of apportionments and support to presiding elders' and episcopal districts, and thus to the general church. In these times when many are being laid off from work, and almost everyone is in limbo regarding the future of their employment, we know that the demand on the church continues. Further, members who fall on hard times, even temporarily, will and should call on their local church for assistance, to whatever degree that assistance can be given. These are midnight times when our neighbor members may very well come knocking on our door to ask for bread (Luke 11:5-8). We all are become desert people of various sorts (Mark 6:35-44), but the church is commanded to look to the needs of others as God provides, following the example of Christ (Philippians 2:4). The opportunity is here, even with self-distancing, isolation, and quarantine. How are we responding?

In discussions with other church leaders, some have responded by implementing or bolstering the use of electronic giving methods, such as Givelify (greatly promoted and used by many in our denomination), Tithe.ly, Cash App, PayPal, and Zelle, to name a few; while others have facilitated or implemented the Class Leader system or a similar model to receive offerings with limited personal contact; drive by or drive-in giving; and the basic mail-in offering envelope, all to varying degrees of success. This is not an endorsement of any particular method, though lesser physical contact is highly encouraged. Rather, the point is that churches and leaders are exploring avenues to meet the challenges of the day in order to give members the opportunity to give monetarily in support of the ongoing ministry of the church.

Yes, there are some persons who have nothing to give but their service and their prayers, and this is infinitely valuable. We all should be giving these two things. However, many of those who have the means to give financially to their church are still waiting for some direction and the opportunity to give. This is not a time to not give. Will you deny persons who CAN financially support their local church and community the OPPORTUNITY to give and thus to fulfill their commitment to Christ, to their fellow Christian, and to the church? Almost everybody can give something. Rev. Dr. Ore L. Spragin, Jr., Editor