In this time of uncertainty, the job of a pastor just got harder.
They are trying to figure out whether to have services or cancel, and if services happen, do you if they should have Sunday School, nursery or children’s church.
Not only are pastors fighting the coronavirus when deciding how services should be conducted, but also the fear gripping the congregants.
Pastor Paul Walker with Columbia First Baptist Church posted a message on the church’s Facebook page on Tuesday that discussed the spirit of fear and how Christians are not supposed to have that anxiety. Walker referenced the scripture Philippians 4:6-7 that says: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
President Trump, the Mississippi Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control have all recommended avoiding social gatherings of 10 or more people during the pandemic. Gov. Tate Reeves specifically has encouraged Mississippi churches not to meet to prevent spread of the virus.
Some Marion County congregations, including Woodlawn, The Church on Main and Foxworth First Baptist, are doing all of their services via a live online feed.
Others are continuing with normal services but may be canceling Bible classes or Sunday evening and Wednesday night meetings.
Calvary Baptist Church, for one, will have a service at 9 a.m. Sunday for senior citizens and at 10:45 for everyone else. That's because seniors are most susceptible to serious illness if they contract the coronavirus.
Some that have temporarily canceled services include Foxworth United Methodist Church and Grace Chapel in Sandy Hook.
Morgantown Church of God Pastor Cory Odom posted a message of hope on Facebook Monday, dressed in a coat, his daughter’s softball helmet, wipes hanging out of his ears and wearing ball gloves to comically stress to everyone not to panic. Odom reminded everyone God is still in control and Jesus is still on the throne. While the virus may be in the air, he said, the Holy Spirit is also.
Pastor Tommy Stogner at North Columbia Baptist Church said in a phone interview Wednesday that everyone needs to remember this did not take God by surprise. Stogner also said God does not want us to live in a spirit of fear and that God is still in control.
On Wednesday Brian Stewart, pastor of The Church on Main, posted on Facebook people have a choice to make to be fearful or faithful. He encouraged everyone to be faithful and be reminded that God loves them.
