The COVID-19 pandemic introduced profound challenges for pastors who discovered themselves navigating complicated medical, moral, political, theological, and sensible pastoral points. As under-shepherds of God’s flock, pastors have to be outfitted to information their congregations via such crises with knowledge, compassion, and reality.
The pandemic additionally uncovered broader underlying cultural points: the rise of individualism and narcissism the place private preferences and freedoms had been elevated above communal well-being, the false perception within the democratization of experience, and the risks of blending political ideologies into the individual- and public-health decision-making course of.
I’m a educating elder within the PCA who’s additionally a practising doctor with a profession specializing in inside medication and vaccinology. I’ve suggested the White Home, Division of Protection, state and federal committees, and pharmaceutical producers on issues of vaccine improvement, epidemiology, and public well being coverage. I’ve taken vows to guard the peace, purity, and unity of the church whereas I’ve additionally sworn to uphold the Hippocratic Oath.
Whereas many pastors and church buildings made heart-rending efforts to guard and protect the well being of their members and people exterior the church, my very own commentary is that in some ways the Western church failed in regard to Scriptural imperatives for biblical cultural engagement.
How did it fail? By adopting unbiblical cultural and anthropocentric practices through the pandemic similar to devaluing public well being suggestions and disregarding technique of widespread grace similar to vaccines, antivirals, and masks. Absent revision, these failures will depart the church unprepared for the following epidemic or pandemic.
Christians have to see that an evidence-based method to reality is a biblical name, not only a scientific name. By God’s grace, we uncover how his creation operates, and from that uncover medicines and vaccines. The scientific methodology, carried out correctly, doesn’t stand in opposition to biblical reality. Scripture itself declares that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1), and his invisible attributes are “clearly perceived” in creation (Romans 1:20). To reject the scientific methodology is to disclaim the ordered, knowable nature of God’s world which is the idea for scientific discovery, and which he referred to as “superb” (Genesis 1:31) and entrusted to human stewardship (Genesis 1:28).
The New Testomony echoes this: Christ “upholds the universe by the phrase of his energy” (Hebrews 1:3), making certain its ordered consistency. Thus, science, practiced correctly, honors the Creator by probing the “manifold knowledge of God” (Ephesians 3:10) embedded in his created works. For Christians to reject science outright dangers rejecting the very reality Scripture celebrates: a created order ruled by his sovereign, unchanging Phrase and legal guidelines, and discoverable by people – that is the idea used to develop medicines and vaccines for the widespread good of all.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first surfaced, we had been coping with a novel viral pathogen (and its subsequent variants) whose full results had been fully unknown. With ample proof that the virus was lethal and will trigger extreme sickness and problems, it was acceptable on the time to do every part cheap to mitigate the danger of an infection, hospitalization, demise, and overwhelming the medical system till extra info could possibly be collected and analyzed.
What wasn’t clear then is how lengthy some measures ought to have been imposed and continued (faculty and church closings, distancing, and many others.) as soon as vaccines and antivirals turned out there.
With the privilege of hindsight, listed below are seven classes we have now discovered and may make use of when the following epidemic or pandemic happens.
1. The Significance of Gathering: Biblical and Sensible Views
Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers to not forsake assembling collectively, highlighting the worth of group, mutual encouragement, and the preaching of the Phrase. But, this command have to be understood inside the broader context of loving our neighbors (Matthew 22:39), defending the susceptible (Proverbs 31:8–9), and the protecting of the sixth commandment.
The pandemic uncovered the temptation to prioritize private wishes over communal duty. Biblical group challenges this self-centered method. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:26, “If one half suffers, each half suffers with it.” A church’s well being relies on cultivating a spirit of mutual concern over particular person entitlement.
Appropriately, through the pandemic many church buildings tailored to digital gatherings to stability the command to satisfy with the crucial to safeguard well being. Digital companies, whereas not excellent, nonetheless offered significant non secular engagement and lowered the unfold of an infection through the preliminary onslaught of the pandemic and subsequent peaks.
To arrange for the longer term, church buildings ought to contemplate creating strong digital platforms, establishing clear protocols for transitioning from in-person to digital and again to in-person conferences throughout outbreaks primarily based on present epidemiology, and educating congregants on the non secular and sensible causes for such measures. In our personal church, we noticed that pandemic changes to broadcast the gospel led to many listening to the gospel preached throughout the globe.
2. Masking: A Easy Act of Love and Prevention
Analysis previous to and through the COVID-19 pandemic constantly demonstrated that correct masks worn correctly (observe the 2 provisos) considerably lowered the transmission of respiratory viruses, particularly in enclosed areas. Masking is a important a part of the layers of safety we try and construct to guard people, significantly high-risk people.
Philippians 2:3-4 calls believers to “do nothing out of egocentric ambition or useless conceit,” however to “contemplate others above themselves.” Carrying a masks, even when personally inconvenient, aligns with this Christian ethic of sacrificial love and look after the susceptible throughout instances of elevated danger.
What would possibly pastors do? Strategies embrace normalizing mask-wearing throughout outbreaks by framing it as a tangible act of affection, offering masks at church entrances, educating congregants on their correct use, and sharing evidence-based sources to counter misinformation. These are sensible ways in which pastors and church buildings can shield congregants and take part in defending the general public well being of their communities.
3. Bodily Distancing: Defending the Susceptible
COVID-19 transmission happens by each droplets and aerosols. Stopping aerosol-based transmission requires properly-fitted N95 masks. Whereas bodily distancing is useful, by itself its worth is variable and extremely dependent upon air circulate, HVAC parameters (similar to variety of air exchanges per hour), and quite a lot of bodily environmental components. Whereas distancing posed challenges for communal worship, it proved useful throughout high-transmission durations.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there’s a time for every part, together with adapting practices for the well being of the group. Bodily distancing, although troublesome, must be seen as a short lived and partially efficient measure to guard life, which is sacred (Genesis 9:6).
Sensible methods to implement distancing embrace reorganizing seating preparations and worship practices to permit for secure distancing when vital, encouraging smaller group gatherings to take care of fellowship whereas minimizing danger, making certain ample air exchanges via HVAC programs, utilizing air purifiers, assembly open air, opening doorways and home windows, and clearly speaking the short-term nature and function of those measures.
4. Vaccines: Widespread Grace and a Reward of Well being
Due to earlier coronavirus threats, there was already a lot preparatory analysis (over roughly 30 years) in creating mRNA-based coronavirus vaccines. Vaccines emerged as a important instrument in lowering extreme sickness and demise from COVID-19 – particularly within the face of a novel pathogen to which the inhabitants had completely no immunity.
Sturdy analysis underscored the overall security and efficacy of vaccines developed via rigorous scientific and regulatory processes. Vaccines must be seen as a God-given technique of widespread grace selling well being and fulfilling the mandate to look after others (Exodus 23:25) and ourselves.
The above rests on the foundational presupposition that science is one of the simplest ways of understanding scientific reality. However it could actually say nothing of ethical or theological reality, and that’s the place pastors and theologians should communicate. Some biblically motivational truths within the apply of medication had been necessary not less than to a few of us as believing physicians, together with the avoidance of harms (self and others), fairness, and defending the susceptible.
Science as a approach of understanding has a protracted historical past of methodologic rigor, peer evaluate, and demonstrated generalizability, repeatability, efficacy, and coherence. Those that reject science should show an method that’s extra rigorous than the method they reject. Merely rejecting science can’t present a supportable, reasoned, sustained, or a philosophically coherent foundation for public well being selections.
Nonetheless, many Christians expressed official issues about vaccine security and moral concerns (myself included). Pastors can deal with these points by sharing credible info from trusted sources, highlighting the scientific and moral rigor behind vaccine improvement, and offering Scriptural encouragement to prioritize one’s neighbor and communal well-being (1 Corinthians 10:24).
From my very own childhood, I’ve clear recollections of a automotive driving with a loudspeaker on the roof via our group saying “Sabin Sundays” the place households might obtain their polio vaccine at their native church on the Lord’s Day. Revered pastors spoke of the significance of the vaccine from the pulpit, or invited revered physicians from the congregation or group to deal with congregants’ questions and issues.
5. Avoiding the Harmful Mixture of Political Ideology and Misinformation
Some of the troubling revelations through the pandemic was the extent to which political ideologies influenced church buildings, congregants, and selections about vaccines and protecting measures. This resulted in a harmful mixture of what some have referred to as “Christian nationalism” and anti-science views.
As an alternative of counting on respected science-based sources, some embraced conspiracy theories and disinformation promulgated for political and different causes that fostered mistrust and concern. Jesus calls his followers to be “smart as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). The knowledge that Jesus refers to will not be rooted in political allegiance or nationwide id, however fairly in reality and discernment.
Sensible recommendation for pastors in addressing these points consists of avoiding equating religion or science with political ideology, for the reason that gospel and reality transcend political boundaries. Preaching or decision-making that conflates a selected political stance with Scriptural reality is unbiblical and undermines its witness.
We also needs to stand able to reject conspiracy theories for which there isn’t a credible knowledge. Spreading unverified claims and fears about vaccines, masks, and public well being undermines belief in each medication and the church’s management. Pastors ought to mannequin discernment by consulting official medical and scientific sources. They will additionally invite credible and revered physicians to talk or reply questions.
As pastors, we need to educate the biblical view of reality. Scripture calls us to hunt reality (Proverbs 18:15) and keep away from falsehood (Exodus 20:16). Pastors ought to deal with the hurt brought on by believing or sharing misinformation. Lastly, pastors ought to problem nationalistic rhetoric, because it distorts the decision to world discipleship (Matthew 28:19–20) and elevates earthly nations and political ideology above the dominion of God (Philippians 3:20). We should remind congregants that our final citizenship is in heaven, not in political or nationwide id.
6. Antiviral Remedies and Rising Therapies
Antiviral medicines and monoclonal antibodies performed a major position in stopping and lowering COVID-19 severity and demise. Nonetheless, many within the church rejected these life-saving interventions, whereas usually accepting unproven or harmful options with the consequence that many died or had been hospitalized. Proverbs 15:22 states, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, however with many advisers, they succeed.” Collaborating with advisors like healthcare suppliers to advertise consciousness of remedies aligns with biblical knowledge.
Suggestions for pastors embrace partnering with native well being companies to make sure entry to credible schooling, antiviral medicines, and vaccine pointers, and inspiring a balanced perspective that integrates the widespread grace offered to us in medicines, vaccines, and medical interventions (James 5:14–15).
7. Cultivating a Tradition of Mutual Care Over Self-Centered Individualism
The early church exemplified radical care and generosity (Acts 2:44–45). This ethos of mutual care stands in stark distinction to the Western cultural message that private autonomy ought to take priority over collective duty and care. As an alternative, we noticed a paradigm shift within the U.S. leading to Christians utilizing the tradition’s language of particular person alternative and freedom fairly than the language of Scripture, communal duty and the second best commandment.
Pastors may help by educating the significance of humility and mutual submission (Ephesians 5:21), creating ministry initiatives that mannequin sacrificial service, and even encouraging testimonies of congregants who prioritize communal care over particular person choice.
Conclusion: Main with Religion, Hope, Love, and Fact
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us invaluable, but exhausting, classes about public well being and pastoral ministry. As pastors, we’re referred to as to guide with religion that God is sovereign (Psalm 46:1), our certainty that he works via all circumstances (Romans 8:28), and mannequin a love that displays Christ’s sacrificial look after others (John 13:34-35).
By embracing the fruit of widespread grace and rejecting misinformation and conflating political ideology and nationalism, we will shepherd our congregations via future challenges with confidence and style. Our name is to look after the flock by glorifying God via reality and love, dwelling out the gospel earlier than them, and modeling that discernment and love in our communities.
Rev. Dr. Gregory Poland is a graduate of Westminster Theological Seminary and a PCA educating elder. He additionally serves because the Mary Lowell Leary emeritus professor of medication on the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and director of the clinic’s Vaccine Analysis Group.
