Covid-19: The Response Guide For Church Leaders

PREAMBLE

The church has been challenged beyond its capacity in the past few days. The whole world has been affected by the coronavirus which first infected people in Wuhan in China at the end of 2019. There are direct and indirect impacts of this phenomenon. People have been infected, the infection is spreading across the world, and all of us are affected in one way or the other. Presidents have suspended all large gatherings including church services, borders are closed, and many countries are in a complete lockdown. These developments came with little preparation from churches to manage their members and activities, especially with the use of digital technology. It is no doubt that many pastors and church leaders have limited capacity to switch to the use of technology, though others are technology savvy and up to the task. This can be understood because many of them were born before computers (BBC).

The restrictions on meetings and church services is a major blow to the church, especially in Africa, as we were not quite prepared for the drastic changes. Travel is now very limited within and across countries. The church’s ability to mobilize resources will go down over the next few weeks. An initial response would be to panic but we need to stay calm, strategise and respond promptly and adequately, and continue to serve the members of our churches. Several people are sad, afraid and traumatized. Others will become lonely in the days ahead as we all miss the vibe of meeting, singing, dancing and praying together, which is the usual practice.

While this is a challenge, it also offers tremendous opportunities for the church. We are all compelled to stop, reflect and re-strategise. It is a time to analyse our practices and consider what is really important. In serving the Lord, activity is not equal to effectiveness. The church seems to have been running for several years now and we are now obliged to stop, look and listen. And if we listen, we shall hear the Lord speak to us clearly. First Chron. 12:32 says “of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do”. The Lord will give us understanding on what to do.

Healthcare systems are overstretched and crumbling. Many African countries may not have the facilities and capacity to contain the disease, though numbers of infected people keep rising. The facilities are just not available in many countries across Africa.

According to the WHO, coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between non-human animals and humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.

This guide will help church leaders respond to and manage the situation with Covid-19 effectively. Institutions and individuals can also benefit. Get all your scientific and technical information from the World Health Organisation, National Health Service offices, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SYMPTOMS

The WHO has indicated that the common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

"We're emphasizing fever plus a notable lower respiratory tract symptom -- cough or trouble breathing," said infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventative medicine and infectious disease. You have fever when your temperature goes up especially in the late afternoon and early evening. Dr. Schaffner said the cough should be a dry cough that you feel in your chest. Shortness of breath can be a third and very serious manifestation of Covid-19, and it can occur on its own, without a cough.

THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHURCH

Decreased incomes. Decreased incomes due to restrictions on large meetings with immediate effect, which means there are no normal offerings. Churches can only encourage the faithful members to continue to pay their tithes and give towards the work of the church. Salaries and allowances still need to be paid, utilities will need to be paid and other financial obligations need to be met. The church still needs money.

Restrictions on Church Services and Meetings. We cannot meet physically for the next few weeks.

The dynamics of church membership will change within the next few weeks. There will be shifts in membership and people will move to churches that offer them better opportunities of worship and spiritual experience. However, the work can grow in your hands as you rise up in the power of God and allow Him to work through you and succeed.

TAKING CARE OF THE FINANCES

We must encourage people to continue to give to the church because the church still needs money to run. With decreased incomes, church leaders can explore more giving opportunities and make it easy for people to give. Things can break down completely if we fail to mobilise sufficient resources during this period, and it will take a longer time to recovery after Covid-19.