Since last Thursday morning, my email and text messaging inboxes have been filled with notices, updates, questions, uncertainty, and faith-filled confidence. Phone calls from many of you accompanied the e-messaging. I know you are experiencing much of the same, as we who carry leading responsibilities are asked unanswerable questions.
All of this is because about three months ago something then labeled, 2019 Novel Coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, a new respiratory virus was first identified in Wuhan, China. Within weeks Coronavirus became part of our everyday language. Yet the disease seemed distant, remote, and unimportant for most of us. Then the virus began to spread.
In the past week, much has changed. The Presidents’ address last Wednesday evening, followed with actions taken by the governors of Indiana and Illinois have radically impacted all of us. Our public and social interaction activities have been curtailed. There is uncertainty about what we should or should not do in days ahead.
Some of our district churches kept normal schedules this past weekend. Others canceled all public ministry activities. Some live-streamed worship services. Today many are evaluating the next steps and schedules for this week, next weekend, and the weeks to follow.
Months ago, our Alliance Women’s leaders scheduled two conferences. The first was to be held on March 28th at Wheaton Chinese Alliance Church. With input from leaders of Wheaton Chinese and our Alliance Women’s leaders, I chose to cancel the March 28th conference. For now, the April 18th Women’s Conference in Ft Wayne remains on the calendar, as does the two Sharpening the Axe gatherings with John Stumbo at the end of March, and our District Conference in April. We’ll continue to monitor the ever-changing face of the health crisis and, if necessary, make appropriate adjustments.
We have a responsibility to serve those that are a part of our Alliance family. We have an equal responsibility to serve those that live all around us in our communities. Let’s set examples of bold faith, and absolute trust upon our sovereign God. At the same time let us honor the requests and advice we are receiving from medical and governmental officials. I know this is difficult and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to questions you are bombarded with.
Let us never forget there are no surprises in the throne room of our God today, or any day. Let’s go quietly before Him, listen carefully, and trust Him to direct our decision making. In this posture, people will be cared for, the gospel will be proclaimed by word and deed, He will be glorified, and we will learn something new about ourselves and about our God.
