1. THREAD on why most churches are not re-opening anytime soon - that possiblity isn’t realistic. Schools can’t reopen. Sports aren’t coming back. Neither are concerts, movies, or malls. Not anytime soon. At least not for long. Its because of current quarantine protocols.
2. Current quarantine protocols are the issue. Right now if someone tests positive for COVID-19 they are expected to quarantine for 2 weeks. Likewise, everyone who was directly exposed to them is supposed to quarantine for 2 weeks. Think about the implications of this approach.
3. Think schools - school buildings are not designed for social distancing. If a kid in English class tests positive the whole class has to go home. If a kid on the football team is positive the whole team has to go home. Schools & sports can’t function like that.
4. Church gatherings aren’t designed for social distancing. We sit close together, sing in groups, hug & shake hands, pray in “groups of three,” etc. Imagine church services w/no more than 50 masked people all 6 feet apart at all times, & nobody touches anybody? Sounds fun huh?
5. Before we get large groups back together some combination of things has to happen: a) a vaccine, b) effective treatment, c) a more targetted approach to distancing (only required for people with known vulnerabilities), and d) relax our approach to quarantining exposed people.
6. Absent effective vaccination or treatment anything we do to “open America back up” will almost certainly increase infections, hospitalizations, and deaths due to the virus. At least until “herd immunity” occurs.
7. So unless we completely raise our tolerance for virus-risk as a society there is no scenario in sight that will put kids back in school, athletes back on the field, or people back in churches.
8. Churches have to think clearly, realistically, & missionally about what this means. In many communities our current strategies for worshipping @ home may be extended through the end of the year & perhaps beyond. Huge impacts on staffing/funding/organizing ministry.
9. Whatever happens the gospel is still mighty to save & God’s churches are still His outposts on this earth. We can’t wilt. We can’t allow ourselves to be paralyzed because of the loss of what used to be. We press forward. Because Jesus is crucified, raised, & coming again.
