{"id":21060,"date":"2020-03-24T11:19:01","date_gmt":"2020-03-24T16:19:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/?p=21060"},"modified":"2020-03-24T11:19:01","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T16:19:01","slug":"is-it-wrong-for-churches-to-cancel-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-it-wrong-for-churches-to-cancel-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it Wrong for Churches to Cancel Services?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\tby Ken Weliever
\nvia The Preacher’s Word<\/a>\n

This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, there are two ways to look at it,\u201d he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the pros and cons of the respective positions. He concluded by saying he had friends on both sides of the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what\u2019s your position?\u201d the reporter pressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree with my friends,\u201d the politician replied.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve heard a good bit about the wisdom of canceling church services in the past two weeks. There have been different approaches because of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19. Some have completely canceled. Others cut back to one service. Some larger churches have divided the congregation into two separate groups. Several are using live streaming for their members to worship at home.<\/p>\n

All of this has evoked some criticism. I\u2019ve heard and read that the faithfulness of those canceling services has been questioned. Shepherds have had their wisdom challenged, and even condemned. Others are calling this a form of government oppression. And faith in God has been impugned.<\/p>\n

These are unwarranted and unfounded accusations. I\u2019m persuaded of better motives of pastors, preachers, and churches who cancel services. In the beginning, I personally questioned canceling services but kept my opinion to myself. However, as this unfolds and the virus spreads, it seems that it is prudent<\/a>\u00a0to take these precautions.<\/p>\n

Several thoughts come to mind.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. I don\u2019t recall hearing wide-spread criticism of canceling services when a hurricane was bearing down on the Florida coast<\/strong>. Or when a snowstorm hit the Midwest. Out of concern for the health, well-being, and safety of the members, closing the doors until the danger passed was a wise decision. This is a different kind of danger. But a danger nonetheless that needs to be taken seriously.<\/li>\n
  2. Local churches are just that. Local<\/strong>. They are self-governing. And autonomous. It\u2019s ironic that we\u2019ve pled for elders shepherd the church among them in response to para-church and institutional organizations, but now some criticize elders for the decision of their local church. Shepherds have not made this decision lightly or flippantly. It\u2019s been difficult and done with prayerful consideration.<\/li>\n
  3. The government is not forbidding us to worship God<\/strong>.\u00a0Acts 5:29\u00a0doesn\u2019t apply here. They are serving the needs of its citizens. Seeking to protect our health and welfare. Once this virus is under control and\/or eradicated the meeting house doors will open again.<\/li>\n
  4. Furthermore, this is not a Hebrews 10:25 issue<\/strong>. Brethren are not willingly forsaking the assembly. We never accuse someone of neglect when they\u2019re sick, or home caring for a sick family member.<\/li>\n
  5. While there are some who are fearful to be sure, the preachers and pastors I know are not operating out of fear instead of faith<\/strong>. And I think that\u2019s true of most brethren. They\u2019re making decisions based on wisdom, common sense and\u00a0prudence. I trust in God, but I don\u2019t play with fire. Or ignore warnings in the event of a hurricane.<\/li>\n
  6. It\u2019s also good to be reminded there are two great commandments.<\/strong>\n
      \n
    1. Love God with all your being;<\/li>\n
    2. And love your neighbor as yourself.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\nWith the spread of this highly contagious virus, we\u2019re showing love for our friends, relatives, neighbors, non-Christians as well as our brethren, by limiting our contact. By doing so, we may let our light shine and others see our good works.<\/li>\n
    3. Historically, there have been other occasions where churches have closed their doors in response to health concerns. <\/strong>\u00a0The 1918 influenza epidemic is one case. While it\u2019s rare, it\u2019s not unprecedented.<\/li>\n
    4. We all need to be careful of self-righteously judging other brethren, elders, and churches just because they may make a different decision<\/strong>. I know some smaller, rural churches where they believe the threat is low and are still meeting. Larger ones in metropolitan areas are closed. Let\u2019s respect the right each has to decide. And also respect the liberty of individual Christians who may choose to attend or not.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Lord willing, this will pass, we can resume congregational assemblies and return to some normalcy in our lives. In the meantime, as you protect your physical health, don\u2019t neglect your spiritual health. Pray. Read the Bible. Worship God. Do good. Be a Christian.<\/p>\n

      Finally, the words of my friend and preaching colleague Doy Moyer ought to be heard and heeded.<\/p>\n

      \u201cBe careful about divisive attitudes, especially during a distressing time that involves the whole world. We need one another, and we need each other to think clearly and love deeply.\u201d<\/p>\n

      \u201cI plead with you, my brothers and sisters, to focus on building each other up. Be patient with one another. Be patient in the present distress. Pray for others. Pray for the world. Pray that doors of opportunity may be opened for a renewed spread of Gospel. Who knows what God may do through us if we will be humble and submissive, loving God first and others.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      by Ken Weliever via The Preacher’s Word This question raised today reminds me of the old joke about the politician who was asked by a reporter his position on a particular issue. \u201cWell, there are two ways to look at it,\u201d he responded. Then launched into a lengthy explanation of both views, giving both the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[356],"class_list":["post-21060","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-attendance"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":85660,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/religion-in-germany\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":0},"title":"Religion in Germany","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"by Hans H. Waetjen via\u00a0Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 2, June 30, 1990 Floyd asked me some time ago to write an article on the state of religion in Germany. With all the latest political developments in East Germany, this information may be even more relevant now. So, I will\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":96849,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/expensive-stubbornness\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":1},"title":"Expensive Stubbornness","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"by Perry D. Hall via\u00a0Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 4, December 1995 Between two farms near Valleyview, Alberta, you can find two parallel fences, only two feet apart, running for a half mile. Why are there two fences when one would do? Two farmers, Paul and Oscar, had a disagreement\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":43171,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/time-for-churches-of-christ-to-fellowship-other-groups\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":2},"title":"Time for Churches of Christ to Fellowship Other Groups?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 8, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"by Wes McAdam via\u00a0Radically Christian This is a hard post to write. I realize what I'm about to say may be misunderstood or misconstrued. But as difficult as it is to find the right words, this is something that must be said. In fact, I believe there is no greater\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":48527,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/should-a-man-be-appointed-a-deacon-when-he-only-attends-sunday-morning-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":3},"title":"Should a man be appointed a deacon when he only attends Sunday morning services?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: I emailed you before about a topic, and you had an answer that I did not agree with at all, but today I have an unrelated question. At our church, we are in the process of selecting new deacons. Is it wrong for me to think it is a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":97039,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/since-no-church-is-perfect-can-we-attend-any-church\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":4},"title":"Since no church is perfect, can we attend any church?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Why do people have the \"no church is perfect\" mentality? I had a conversation with my mother about a church she was trying to convince me to go to. It was a church I knew about, and I told her I didn't want to go because the church she\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5026,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-the-silence-of-women-only-applying-to-prophecy\/","url_meta":{"origin":21060,"position":5},"title":"Is the silence of women only applied to prophecy?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"June 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Hey brother, Just had a quick question: How do you reconcile I Corinthians 14:34-35 applying women to the entire context beginning at I Corinthians 14:26 and not just the direct context of prophecy grammatically? I have been having issues with that. Answer: \"What is the outcome then, brethren? 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