15th June 2020 As of today churches in Scotland are still in 'Phase 1' of the Scottish Government's plan to ease Coronavirus lock-down restrictions. The move into Phase 2 is anticipated soon - and with that phase and those following (subject to the control of the virus) churches will have increasing freedom to resume some of their physical activities.
An outline of how the different phases of lock-down might be particularly relevant to Scottish churches was circulated to FIEC leaders - with the following points of consideration attached....
1. Don’t
be a ‘rule-bender’. ‘Private Prayer’
is not a cover for holding small meetings. Don't be tempted to hold a socially
distanced get together under the guise of ‘private
prayer’. Rather let’s be people of integrity and remember, as recent events have
shown, even if we think our ‘exception’ is harmless or justified it can result
in massive reputational damage.
2. Do
it properly. That is, have a thought-out plan that ensures seating keeps
people a safe distance apart, insist on masks, cleaning, one-way systems, a cap on numbers etc.
It’s how we love our neighbours and respect the civic authorities. It would be
a tragedy if a church became a new Covid-19 hotspot because of the sloppiness or
arrogance of Christians.
3. Keep
it sustainable. Many were exhausted having to set-up online ministry and
changing to a whole new way of working at the start of the lock-down. However,
that will probably be as nothing compared to rushing into having multiple socially distanced services on a Sunday in a hasty desire to try and get things back to normal. Remember
until we get back to full normality things just won't be normal.
You’ll need to make a careful
assessment of whether multiple and/or partial gatherings are a sustainable next
step. It may be that your current online ministry will actually deliver more (sustainably)
than what might prove to be exhausting but actually quite sub-optimal physical
gatherings (e.g. it is not yet known whether congregational singing would be
allowed?).
4. Be
understanding. Remember those who are particularly vulnerable and fearful –
people who will be reluctant to be anywhere that heightens their risk of
infection. They may not want (or in some cases be able) to gather anytime soon even as restrictions are eased. So be mindful
of them in weighing-up what and when to restart - and consider maintaining online
ministry for them alongside any resumption of physical gatherings.
5. Avoid
criticism and competition. As more options open-up we will see different
churches move at different speeds re: restarting their physical activities. These
decisions will depend on a range of factors that only local church leaders can fully
assess (e.g. make-up of congregation, size of building, geographical location
etc).
So we should avoid any temptation
to either criticism or competition.
On the former let’s refrain
from passing judgement on others who we may think are either too quick or too
slow in resuming activities. On the latter don’t be pressurised into making
decisions that are not right for your situation just because of what others are
doing elsewhere. Guard the flock God has entrusted to you!
For a more
detailed consideration of planning for ‘Church while Social Distancing’,
see the FIEC ‘Leaders in Lockdown’ Webinar slides & discussion at: 
1 comment:
Andy, sensible and helpful reminders of the temptations we will meet!
Scott Kirkland
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