On May 20th, we released our Village Together plan—a five phase plan to reopen Village safely and wisely. On Friday, May 29, Illinois and Village officially moved in to phase three, permitting groups of 10 or fewer to meet with proper social distancing protocols in place. However, on Thursday, May 28, Governor Pritzker released new guidelines for houses of worship, and explained that these guidelines were not mandatory, but rather recommended as “best practices” for resuming worship services.
The past few months have been admittedly difficult. We have ached for community, and felt the deep loss of in-person interactions. For some of us, this longing has mingled with fear of coronavirus infection; others fear of government intervention.
And so, in light of these two things—moving into phase three and the new guidance for churches—what’s next for Village? Are we ready to go? Or do we continue on with our plan?
The past few months have been hard for all of us. And so it’s tempting to want to respond to the loosening of restrictions by snapping back into normal life as quickly as possible. I know of several churches in Illinois which plan to open very soon—a reality which makes the temptation all the more appealing.
However, we believe such a move is ultimately counter-productive and counter to the way of wisdom. As such, we intend to adhere to our original plan to reopen following Governor Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. This means that, assuming the numbers continue to decline, and we remain on target to enter Phase Four on June 26, we will hold our first service on Sunday, June 28.
Wisdom and Reopening
Now, there are multiple and varied reasons for electing to reopen—and many good reasons for taking a slower and cautious approach. How should we sort through all these reasons with wisdom? Three realities guide this decision.
1. The Importance of Gathering
Let’s start with this critical reality: we were made for community. All of us. The extroverts and introverts; the socially adept and socially awkward. We’re meant to share life together. It takes only a cursory reading through the New Testament to see the clear expectation that Jesus calls us to a life of togetherness (see Heb. 10:23-25; Eph .4:11-32; see also my post on why you need to show up on Sunday).
This need for connection is not limited to the church; it’s a basic human need. The divine declaration, “It is not good for man to be alone” (Gen. 2:18) is certainly as true today as it was for Adam. We suffer in isolation. And as society has grown increasingly fragmented and lonely, this need has grown ever more heightened.
But this connection is richer in the church—because Christians are called into redeemed love. Into social connection that is not only purified by Jesus’ redemption, but empowered by the shared Spirit within us. See, what we have as Christians cannot be explained in merely psychological or sociological terms. We are bound together in Jesus, sharing in His life together. As Bonhoeffer famously wrote, “Christianity means community through Jesus Christ and in Jesus Christ.” (Bonhoeffer, Life Together, 21). We need one another; we learn to depend on one another. By the Spirit within us, we grow to love one another and sacrifice to maintain unity.
And so, when we cease meeting in physical proximity to one another, we necessarily suffer, because we are deprived of presence, the spiritual gifts given to build one another up, and of the power of a shared experience of discipleship.
2. Public Health and Love of Neighbor
Seeing how vital tangible Christian community is, why would we ever stop meeting? There are few good reasons, but a clear and present threat to public health is one of them. At the time of this writing, Dupage County (in which our church is located) has 7,818 positive cases of COVID-19 (0.84% of total population) and 380 deaths, while neighboring Kane County has 6,467 positive cases (1.2% of total population) and 186 deaths.
While there is plenty of debate about precisely just how deadly this virus is, it’s undeniable is that it is deadly. It has already far surpassed average annual death tolls for the flu in a matter of months, and while the pandemic is slowing, it’s nowhere near over. This means that, over the next few months, we’ll continue to see individuals contracting COVID-19, and individuals dying from COVID-19.
Now, we need to acknowledge something together before we go any further. Very few of us have epidemiological training. I’m a pastor. My training is theological and exegetical. While I have tried to read and understand this situation, I am simply not an epidemiologist, equipped to analyze, propose policy and creatively respond to a global pandemic. This is true for most who read this. This means, of course, that we’re dependent on the data and expertise provided by health professionals. Not because they’re infallible, but because they know a load more than we do.
So, while the governor has relaxed formal restrictions on churches, the Illinois Department of Public Health has outlined guidelines to assist churches in thinking through how to meet safely, including restricting public gatherings to ten or less in Phase 3.
This then leads us to a question: though it’s technically lawful for us to meet, is it wise for us to meet? Or to frame it relationally, is it loving for us to meet?
Our state health department has indicated that meeting in groups of 10 or more increases the risk of transmitting the COVID-19 virus. It is one thing to take on this risk on an individual basis, or with our families; it is another for us to make a formal decision as a church to do so. Granting that love is ‘the warm pursuit of the true good of another,’ and we create a context where we knowingly increase risk of exposure to a disease, is that love? Is that seeking true good?
Of course, the inability to meet face-to-face with our local church carries inherent detriment (as noted above). It’s undeniable that we’ve all suffered from this time of isolation. And if we continue to stay apart without good reason, we are acting without love.
Notice that key phrase: “without good reason.” Reality #2 stands in tension with reality #1. Yes, we must meet, but we also must consider what love and the public good looks like. That leads us to an important third point.
3. The Gift and Insufficiency of Technology
Technology is a gift in so many ways. Can you imagine slogging through the past three months without phone or text, email, social media or Zoom? These technologies have been instrumental in helping us stay in relationship with and connected to one another.
At the same time, technology is woefully limited in what it can actually do. It flattens our communication; strips some of the warmth out of it. It certainly is no replacement for actually being present with another person. And so it is a gift, and it is also insufficient.
And it assists us in bridging the decision-making gap. While no replacement for real presence, it does enable us to continue to hear God’s word, worship in song, stay in communication and share our lives with one another. This extends into the next phase. Once we start meeting, live streaming our services will enable us to include those who elect to remain at home for health reasons.
Nonetheless, these technologies are limited, to be sure, and they only gets us halfway. But with a horizon in sight, it helps us to patiently wait for that horizon in the next few weeks.
The Next Few Weeks
We do not make these decisions lightly. The past few months have forced us to make one complex decision after another. We are eager for the day—Lord willing, in the next few weeks—when we can return to worship in the same room.
But let’s not waste this opportunity. In this difficult season, as in every season, we are called to love one another faithfully. So let’s not wait until we set foot in the same space. We are permitted to gather in small groups; if you’re comfortable, you should! Many of you have access to social media and email; encourage one another! Call one another.
Until then, we count down the weeks until we can join together in heart and soul at the end of June.