Back to the Building

The NSW roadmap out of lockdown released this week was filled with surprises—not the least of which was that both vaccinated and unvaccinated people will be able to attend places of public worship from the 80% mark. This is great but not uncomplicated news. There was never going to be anything simple about getting back to the building this time around and the number of factors being considered by our Guiding Coalition are enormous.

I wanted to start today however with a reminder that the primary factors that ought to drive any decision making should be theological. Good theology always drives good living as we listen to what God has to say and allow God’s Word to guide us. As we think theologically about returning to church, we will know how to respond to health advice and what to do with directions from the government. We will know how to relate to each other and what to do when we disagree. I want to share five theological realities that are helping guide us.

1. Love of neighbour (Matthew 22:37–39)

   As Christians we seek to love others sacrificially and significantly according to their need and circumstances. We do that at the expense of our own needs and desires and according to what God sees as best for them. We don’t just do what people want, we do what God wants for people.

2. The importance of unity (Galatians 3:28)

   As Christians we recognise that no one is greater than another, we treat all people as God’s treasure and we seek to live in harmony with one another. We recognise however that sin constantly frustrates our experience of unity but that it is ultimately expressed in the reality that we are bound up with Christ in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). Unity never waters down or ignores truth or sin, but centres on Christ who calls people in repentance and faith to himself through his Word.    

3. The need to gather (Hebrews 10:25)

   God’s people gather. It is part of our calling as believers to come together for teaching, encouragement, prayer and praise. To this end, place has always been important to God’s people, but the place that matters most is “with Christ” (John 4:23-24, Matthew 18:20). Coming to a physical gathering is best but coming to Cowan Rd with hundreds of others is not the only way to gather and do church. I believe our online experience is still church—though not one we might choose if other options were available. 

4. The duty to accede to government (Romans 13:1–7)

   Christians, so long as Christ is not denied, obey the authorities and powers in the land as they have been placed there by the authority of God. We pay taxes, register our cars and obey public health orders in order to do good to all and honour God in the public square. 

5. Our witness to the world (Galatians 6:10, 1 Peter 2:12)

   We recognise that the way we live, speak and respond in the world and to the world represents our Lord and is one way people may see and hear the Gospel and come to know and love Jesus. Our community and context matter as we seek to honour Jesus in it and through it.  

These five theological realities sit as key principles that point us in a clear direction but don’t provide us with a pathway that avoids frustration and disappointment. As we seek to walk together, we are going to need to grapple with another theological reality—sometimes love limits freedom. Christian people, motivated by love for others, will often curtail their freedoms in order to demonstrate love to others. In Philippians 2, you will see Jesus living out this principle in order to show you love. Once you have seen that, think about what it might look like for you to have love limit liberty in the circumstances that face us. 

I love every single one of you and as the leader given responsibility to shepherd you I am always working prayerfully for what is best for you. I am aware that there is no way the decisions we make over the next 3–6 months are going to please every single one of you. The questions we are grappling with are complex, the responsibility given to us is enormous, the combinations and permutations of individual circumstances are manifest. So three things:

1. Please pray for us that we would make good and godly decisions for the glory of God and the benefit of his people.

   We need to consider all the above plus practical concerns about ventilation, people movement, children and youth programs and staff management to avoid risk. It’s big!  

2. Please think theologically about your response when decisions are made.

   If you disagree, can I encourage you to be curious, kind, gracious, patient and loving in your response. 

3. Would you share your thoughts with us now?

   We are aiming to begin gathering again at the 80% mark (likely Sunday 31 October) but we are seeking to understand more fully your thinking on the different options that lie before us.   

We have prepared a survey to find out how you and your household are thinking about returning to church. Your answers will help guide us as we consider options for services and how we are going to go about loving each other in a context of continued complication. 

I dearly look forward to the day when we can gather unfettered but all this waiting is helping me lift my eyes to the greater gathering in eternity when we will be with the Lord, around his throne forever. Amen.