(Originally published on Dec 31, 2021)
Dear CGS Family,
The leaders of our church believe we’re at another pivot point in our congregational response to the COVID pandemic. A good number of you merely want the bottom line: short, sweet and to the point. Others of you like to know the rationale and thought processes behind our decision making. And some of you only want some of the rationale, not all of it.
To accommodate our varying congregational preferences for information, we’re trying to layer this communication to you, giving you a chance to get as much or as little as you desire.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – for those who only want the “Bottom Line”
Since vaccines have now been freely and fully available for all persons 5 yrs and older since early November 2021, we are returning to mask-optional worship (in some portions of our sanctuary) on Sunday morning, February 6, 2022. Because children under 5 yrs. are still not able to be vaccinated,we will be adhering to ongoing COVID restrictions to care for them in the nursery and children’s worship. In addition, for the sake of families with these young children as well as adults who prefer a more cautious approach to COVID, we will continue to have portions of the sanctuary available for mask-required, socially-spaced seating – including the cleanest, freshest air in the house (the balcony). At this time, the only thing that would dissuade us of this pivot on Feb. 6 is if the prevalence of severe infections is threatening to overwhelm our local hospitals. And lastly, for those whose relational responsibilities, health conditions or vocational callings are such that they believe the most prudent decision is to continue worshipping remotely, we will continue to offer livestream and recorded worship online indefinitely. For those who wish to see the more detailed logistical plan of how we intend to pursue mask-optional worship alongside mask-required options, here is a link: February 20 Details & Pragmatics
RATIONALE – for Those Desiring More Information
As we’ve navigated the conditions of the COVID pandemic, we’ve sought to live within the complex interplay of “faith” and “prudence.” The Scriptures call us to be people of increasing faith in Jesus. The Scriptures (especially Proverbs) also call us to be people of increasing prudence in Jesus. Since prudence is a less familiar concept than faith, I’ll let one commentator describe it for us: “it is a good kind of cunning…. [It] is tactics that succeed when so much is on the line.” Another biblical word for prudence is shrewdness: “wise (shrewd) as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16).
It is no simple matter to live with both faith and prudence. When are we rightly exercising faith in the Lord, and when are we wrongly living presumptuously, “putting God to the test” (e.g. Mt. 4:5-7)? When are we rightly living with prudence and shrewdness, and when are we wrongly living with fearful, self-reliant unbelief?
There are no Bible verses to answer these questions in a certain, black and white manner. Instead, living at the maximal overlap of faith and prudence means we approach life situations with all of the Scriptures in mind. We listen for truth (and error) in everything we encounter – science, media, political leadership, etc. We make decisions with imperfect and incomplete information, so we hold to them only as firmly as the relative strength of the information warrants. We humbly evaluate all data so as to avoid being either naively believing of everything or skeptically unbelieving of everything. We make decisions in community, seeking a variety of perspectives and counsel. We acknowledge that good decisions do not always guarantee good outcomes. And maybe most importantly, we revise and repent of decisions, humbly and often, to respond to new, incoming truth as it is discerned.
As Christians, we’re not all going to agree on which risks are wisest. I sincerely hope that CGS will grow in its ability to talk about, and even argue with each other (respectfully and lovingly) over all kinds of wisdom issues – parenting, vaccination, schooling, money stewardship, politics, technology use, media consumption, etc. I think this is a huge growth area for us and a great opportunity for maturing in wise, grace-centered living.
Whatever our varying assessments, it’s also critical that we take the risks for the right reasons. Dr. John Piper speaks with both faith and prudence when he writes: “Ignorance and uncertainty about tomorrow is our native air…. Every direction you turn there are unknowns and things beyond your control. The tragic hypocrisy is that the enchantment of security lets us take risks every day for ourselves but paralyzes us from taking risks for others on the Calvary road of love…. It is right to risk for the cause of Christ, and not to is to waste your life” (Don’t Waste Your Life).
After two years of living with this virus, and having the vaccines available to the vast majority of interested people, we believe that people have by and large made their decisions as to which risks they believe it wise to live with – the risks of the vaccines or the risks of the virus itself. So, while there is a ton of learning and responding ahead of us, we think it’s time to live humbly, prudently and faithfully with our chosen risks in the interest of serving Jesus as the Church, both gathered and scattered.
To that end, it is important to note that the Scriptures do call us, in a great many ways, not to forsake the gathering together but to actively encourage and stir up one another in the Kingdom ways of Jesus (e.g. 1 & 2 Chronicles [whole book!]; Heb. 10:24-25). As we heard this past Sunday in the brief survey of the “God with Us” principle through all history, our greatest hope for life and world change is in-person, face-to-face encounter with God Himself (e.g. Rev. 21:1-5; 22:1-5)! But even at the level of “public health,” many experts are saying that worship attendance is critical to the wellbeing of society.
At the same time, we recognize that a number of you have real health vulnerabilities, relational responsibilities for “elder care”, and vocations which make the consequences of your getting a COVID infection much greater for you (and others!) than for the rest of us. In these cases, we support your heightened sense of prudence and caution as you seek to manage COVID risks. It is why we are firmly committed to livestream and recorded worship, as well as to portions of our sanctuary being set aside for more COVID-cautious worship practices.
Why February 6 for this new pivot? Why not sooner? With the Omicron variant, our biggest concern is not the rate of viral infection (and case numbers) but the rate of severe infection and hospitalization. Given that the holidays are upon us, replete with extra travel and extended gathering, we want to see the impact of the holiday gatherings on the local hospital system. If all remains manageable, as it is now, we will pivot towards mask-optional worship options.
For those of you who may desire STILL MORE rationale, especially from a more medical and scientific perspective, I have asked Chief of Staff Glenn Jordan to prepare an FAQ to provide insight into the types of medical concerns that were raised during our leadership discussions (February 20 FAQs). Four different physicians from among Session and the Regathering Team have contributed faithfully and extensively throughout this pandemic. For those who wish to see the more detailed plan of how we intend to pursue mask-optional worship alongside mask-required options, here is a link to the anticipated logistics: February 20 Details & Pragmatics.
Brothers and Sisters, as with every COVID “pivot” these last two years, our church community’s reactions will be varied. Some of you are disappointed we’re waiting as long as Feb. 6. Others of you are disappointed we’re even talking about this, in light of the rising case prevalence of Omicron. And still others of you are not sure what you think about all this. Such is the nature of discussion on wisdom questions for all people, including Jesus people! But unlike our society at large these days, may we exercise our varied judgments with mutual grace, forbearance and respect – rather than self-righteous, impatient polarization.
Elizabeth probably felt God was “awfully late” to be giving her a baby (John the Baptist). Mary probably felt that God was “awfully early” in giving her a baby (Jesus). Yet, Paul said, “at the fullness of the times, God sent forth His Son” (Gal. 4). I wish I could say with biblical authority and certainty that Feb. 6 is THE “fullness of the times” for a COVID pivot. But I cannot. I can simply say that we’re doing our best to listen to the science, confer with one another respectfully, be wagged as little as possible by media hysteria going in several directions, and most importantly, exercise increasing faith and prudence in Jesus. Each family, in turn, must seek customized faith and prudence in their life callings regarding when to gather in-person and when to remain more remote. And yes, if/when we’re wrong, in either direction, may Jesus give us all grace to pivot and repent happily and speedily!
God Rest You Merry,
Pastor Chuck Jacob