Our HEARTS, not the church building needs to be reopened.

Please read this article to the end before you make a comment. I am a pastor, born in a vicarage, grew up in Apostolic church, led university student fellowship, served as a pastor in big Pentecostal churches in Nigeria and UK and now a pastor at Haven of Glory Church. I know and understand what it means to be rich and poor and like Paul said in Phil4:12, I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions . I also know a little bit about God’s kingdom and the Church and God inspired me to write this article.  

The experience of Covid-19 should humble us as Christians (especially people of colour). We should humble ourselves and ask God to tell us what we have done wrong and repent.

We are the ones that gathered in churches (weekly) and worship God more and yet we are the most at risk to Covid-19 and other illness. In the Covid-19 statistics released by the government, the starkest differences were for men and women of black ethnic background, where risk of death was nearly double (1.9 times higher) compared with people of white background (We are right at the top of the chart).  Over 30% of medics that died are people of colour. Read more in the links below.

God asked a question through Jeremiah – Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? Jeremiah 8:22 KJV. Why did more of our people died? Covid-19 exposed the UNDERLYING HEALTH PROBLEMS in the church. People of colour are right at the top of the chart of people more likely to die of illness. We must not ignore this finding that say our men are likely to die more Is our churches really a healing Center!!!

Some people said Pastors who didn’t open the church lacked faith and I wonder whether they read the article about 40 people who gather for choir rehearsal and some of them died of covid-19. Please don’t let some pastors deceive you about opening the churches. Let the Holy Spirit guide you on what to do. If your faith cannot heal you of headache it most likely will not heal you of Covid-19. Please develop your faith!!!

The churches wouldn’t have been closed in the first place if we are recognised as a healing centre and we care for the poor. During Welsh revival, Drunkards were transformed, publicans  lost much business, conduct on public streets was been elevated, and the police and magistrates  had quieter times… The bottom of the pits were utilised as centres for prayer and praise meetings, and there was a general raising of the standard of public life. The Government and the people will recognise the church if we bring about transformation in our society!!!

We, as the Church of God  must REDEFINE OUR NEW NORMAL. We should NOT allow the government to do it for us again. Eph1:23 (MSG) says  The church, you see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to the church. The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.

The focus of our worship need to change from what we want from God to what GOD WANTS FROM US.

These are my thoughts:

1. We must start teaching people to know the Lord personally and not depend on pastors after all Pastor couldn’t visit the hospital during covid-19 but God did for some. Jesus said “God gave the Son power over all people so that he could give eternal life to all those you have given to him. And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent- John 17:2-3 (ERV)
2. We need to redefine the focus of our worship – setting our affections on things above -Col3:1. We should more interested in God’s purpose and not just what we want from him.  Jesus glorified God by completing the assignment he gave him and not by praise and worship session on Sunday. Jesus said –  I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do-Jn17:4 (Msg)
3. We need to teach people to start taking responsibility for their health and life and not just pray about everything. We should encourage our members to read books on Health, Finance, Management, Economics, History …. Let’s start a Library for our members!!!
4. We must have interactive sessions to learn from each other. We need to draw strength and encouragement from the resources amongst the Laity and not just focus only the pastors.  We need to bring back Sunday school classes and we can do it online!
5. Change our approach to the use of church buildings for church gatherings -cut down on church expenses that relate to building and other infrastructure and meet more online. I think we have reached more people online during the locked down! We need to develop online church to reach people that will not be able to come to church building.
6. Use our church building for community services – schools, libraries, food bank, health facilities (Africa only) to show people the love of God. Let’s spend less on rent, buildings, equipment and spend more to build people.
7. Put in place structure to help one another and protect our people.
8. Equip ourselves with wisdom for the market place. We need to display wisdom that will make people look for us. It was said of Daniel “I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee -Daniel 5:14. We need to skill up our people – economic empowerment skills and resources to excel in the market place.
9. Take care of the poor among us….Then the godly people will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me – Matthew 25:35-40. Jesus fed the people after teaching them the word. Can we provide light refreshment for our members when we meet? Christmas party should be free!!!
10. African churches needs to start investing in food production for members since government has failed. Honestly we don’t need  huge television bills again!!! Pastors please Preach on YouTube and Facebook, Twitter, Radio and use some of the more for economic empowerment.
11. Cut down on seminars, convention, anniversaries. Have things gone worst in the last 2 months without those seminars? Kenneth Hagin didn’t travel worldwide but he is known worldwide by believers. God said in Isa1:17-20 (Msg) “Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings- meetings, meetings, meetings —I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening.
12. Every church with a building should have some form of medical care. Get the medical professionals to do medical check up for church members quarterly (especially those above 40). In the UK, people should go and see their GP for physical health check-it is free!. Let’s give people the word and medication. That was what the missionaries did!!! Paul looked after Timothy- He told him to take some medication for his frequent ailment.

Let me have your thoughts on this article : Email -info@havenofglory.com or call +447940539320 or visit www.havenofglory.com.

Links and other resources:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/conditionsanddiseases/articles/coronaviruscovid19roundup/2020-03-26#deathsbyethnicgroup.https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/behind-the-headlines/coronavirus/coronavirus-and-bame-patients.

Read more about Welsh revival: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/welshrevival_1.shtml