Is COVID Done?

From March 2020 through June 2020, due to the threat of COVID 19, we as a church ceased from meeting in person, altogether. When we resumed in-person services, for the next year we required masks on everyone to attend. All during this time we also provided high quality on-line church for those who were not ready to attend church again in person, and continue to do so.

After vaccinations became readily available and infection rates in our area dropped, we rescinded the mask requirement and masks have been optional at church for the last three months. For the first 2 months following, the infection, hospitalization, and fatality rates all declined in Illinois and the midwest (also nation-wide).

Now, however, with the rise of the Delta variant, infection numbers have again increased. Fortunately, the fatality rate has not, but there is no doubt that COVID is still a threat. Vaccinations have flattened, and even some who have been vaccinated or had COVID before, have become infected. 

Since masks were made optional at The Bridge, we’ve not said much about COVID. Some have wondered if our staff and elders believe that the threat of COVID is behind us and that the pandemic is done. Why are we not talking about it?

Actually, the opposite is true. I think I speak for most, if not all of our staff and elders, COVID and it’s variants will probably be with us in some form for the rest of our lives (my life, at least). It’s a reality that we will have to live with.

But most of us look to the church to focus on our purpose, and our gatherings serve as a reprieve from the drama in our culture. We do not ignore what is happening around us, and we are to serve and care for the needs of those in our community. But we gather together to worship, teach God’s Word, and encourage each other. It's very important to Bridge leaders that we not get side-tracked from our mission. Since we’ve not seen the need to bring back a mask requirement for church, and since it is not in the church’s mission to promote or critique vaccinations or medical procedures that the Bible does not address, we’ve not seen a need to publicly engage in debates that surround COVID and how it is being responded to.

Along with this, we also have a responsibility towards one another. There are some in our church who are particularly at risk with the threat of COVID. They need our care more than ever. Some will come to church wearing masks, some will not. Some will feel more comfortable sitting in our “mask only” section. As followers of Jesus, we are to be gracious with each other in whatever choices are made. These matters are not Biblical matters, and it’s important that we give one another the grace to have differing views, and to see each other in light of the Gospel.

I know that many in our church family have strong feelings regarding masks and vaccinations. I’m always willing to engage in those discussions on a personal level. But as a church, we will remain laser-focused on the mission that Jesus gave us, the Gospel of His death and resurrection for our soul’s salvation. COVID debates, as well as all matters that the divider will throw at us in the future, will not destroy the unity that Jesus commanded us to pursue. A unity that is centered in him. (John 17:20-23, Ephesians 4:2-3).