Wabang Longchari
Lead Pastor
The Lighthouse Church, Dimapur
Where does the Church stands during this COVID-19 pandemic outbreak? With due respect and honour, I support the Government’s decision and order for total lockdown and I have no objection to the imposition of article 144 CrPC. But as a pastor and a spiritual leader, I do have concern for the prevailing situation and I am not ignorant about the risk of social gathering and how important it is for social distancing. But few things have started to prick my conscience during these few days of lockdown.
Church - Is it Essential or Non-Essential?
I definitely feel that the Church is an essential and also a not non-essential institution. During the lockdown, if the Government can permit essential commodity shops to be open during specific timings, why can’t the Church also do the same? If the Government can take the risk of public crowding into the shop to buy stuff and trust the shopkeepers to maintain social distancing and take proper precautions, then why can’t the Government trust the Church to do the same? Just like the shops/groceries provide physical food, the Church, too, provide spiritual food and takes care of its members' spiritual well-being.
The Police and The Pastor:
I also really appreciate and salute what the police department is doing by risking their lives for the safety of all. If the Government can use the help of the police to fight this pandemic, why not, or is it not possible that the Government also use the help that can be rendered by the pastors in different capacity by making fruitful use of the pulpit by feeding the people with the Word of God and standing in the gap through prayer, worship and intercession; at least online, if not in person?
If the Government can trust the police department, I also humbly request the Government to also trust the pastors and the full time staff of the church as soldiers of Christ and to allow them to gather so that they will do their best to reach out to people through different social media platforms.
The Church and The Hospital:
The doctors, nurses and medical personnel are deployed to fight this situation and the hospitals are open to treat the patients. The heroes of the present generation are these people fighting up front and many have also lost their lives while on the mission to fight this virus. Just like the hospital, the Church is also a hospital for spiritually sick people. The pastors and the church staff are, in a way, like doctors and the nurses. Just like the hospitals are open to treat the patients, the Church should also be available for those who need spiritual or emotional treatment during this very disturbing and perplexing time.
A few days back during this lockdown, I went to visit a patient in the hospital. We were sanitized first, had to go through the security guard and one medical staff came forward and asked for the purpose of the visit, which I felt were all rightly done for the safety of everyone. I am sure the Church can also follow the same procedure. Yes, if the doctors and nurses can sacrifice, even up to the point of death, I am sure there will be pastors and other church staff who will be willing to sacrifice till the end.
The Earthly Government and The Heavenly Government:
The Bible teaches us in 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1-3 to submit, obey and honor the Government that is instituted on earth. By no means, what I am writing is not to go against the Government orders but just a request to the Government to see the Church from another angle, just as the way you see the police department, hospitals, or any other department for that matter. Just because the Church is not supported or salaried by the Government, it does not mean it is just a local or public fellowship place. The Church, too, follows a Government - the Heaven’s Government. We do have law and a system. We do have authority that does not come from the earthly Government but from the Heavenly Government.; through Jesus Christ. The purpose of writing this appeal is not for any other purpose but to request the Government to join forces together to fight against this pandemic COVID-19.
My Appeal:
Respected Sir/Madam, those who are in position of decision-making, this is my humble appeal to you to kindly give the churches' pastoral team and the staff the permission to go into their church buildings; not for public gathering but in order to serve the people for such a time as this by scheduling online worship service and preaching to encourage and give hope to the people, and not let the lockdown affect the Church office. Help us serve our people, like the grocery store, like the police department and like the hospital.
