“Is it right for the government of Zambia to
suspend church gatherings as a means of heightening its fight against the
cholera epidemic?”
At
a very unusual hour and from a very sporadic person, I received a phone call
that speedily dressed me up into my theological gloves. The caller, in a very
robust voice, frantically requested me to immediately response to the Zambian government’s
directive in which church gatherings (like/with all other gatherings of a
similar nature) have been suspended in an effort to fight the uncontrollable spread
of Cholera in the country, especially in Lusaka.
After
a quick greeting the caller begun to gag arguments against the Zambian
government.
“Pastor, what do you think, is it right for
what the government has done to ask churches not to meet for their Sunday meetings
in fear of the rapid spreading of Cholera? Honestly, how could they do such a
thing? Doesn’t the government know that it needs the church to assemble and
pray for the situation? Doesn’t the Bible say (he was trying to quote 2 Chronicles
7:14) that if my people will humble themselves and pray… God will hear from
heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land? Doesn’t the government know that at
such a critical hour, it needs the church more than never before? How could the
government be so mean with the church and yet appear to be lenient with bars,
clubs and discos which have continued to operate throughout the day and night.
Pastor, this move by government suggests something fishy against the church
sooner than later! Doesn’t, doesn’t…” He went on and on.
At
that moment I realized he had intermingled truth and deceit. He really was
striking the canvas with a very huge brush stroke. Absolutely, it was the right
time to interject. Unprepared, I was drawn into a punch-up feast of theories,
ideologies and theology. I took time to dismiss a lot of things as wrong
thinking and false conclusions on his part. As a church, I rescinded, we have
never been called to suspicion, resist the right governance of our leaders and
oppose anything and everything that appears contrary to what we preach. Rather to pray and support (1 Tim 2:1-4). As the phone battle raged I realized that my
caller spoke from a very frustrated heart that was born from negative conversations
that go on at workplaces and communities that tend to see and find poison in
every soup. After a lengthy discussion, I was thankful to God that the
conversation ended on a good note with him finally asking for a Bible.
Presently,
like my unusual caller, many people, particularly in the church, have reasoned
and responded wrongly to the Zambian government’s directive to stop all gatherings
(churches included) that would easily and quickly facilitate the continuous
spread of Cholera. Is this right? Is it any fear for the church that assembles
weekly in constant worship of God and prayer for the nation?
First,
the government has done this with a very clear motive for the good of society.
It is not an attempt to persecute the church nor bring disrepute to the name of
the Lord Jesus. For that reason, the church is called upon to obey and pray for
the government (1 Timothy 2:1-4) for much wisdom in this regard.
Second,
both the spread and sting of Cholera is far more rapid and treacherous in
comparison to Malaria and all other waterborne diseases (no statistics just my personal
observation in the last 45 years of my being on earth). So far, my assumption, only
Ebola can attain cousin-ship with Cholera. It has spread like an Australian wild
fire and is taking people’s lives like an American tornado picking debris along
the side walks. Therefore, in an attempt to stop such a tsunami of an epidemic,
it is only wise for the government to intervene at all costs from all angles of
civilization.
There
is no justification to leave out the church. Hiding or being found in a church
worship gathering should not in anyway suggest immunity to Cholera or any other
disease. The very nature of many church gatherings in Zambia has a great potential
of escalating the spread of Cholera to uncontrollable levels. Sorry and sad to
say, the hygiene levels in many churches in Zambia is a cause of concern.
Toilets/washrooms are hygienically scary. And yet the Bible demonstrates the importance
of cleanliness in relation to godliness (Deuteronomy 23:10-14).
Third,
the circumstances that have led to the suspension of church gatherings cannot
and should not cause the church to respond bitterly as if she has been cast to
the jaws of persecution. The church needs to be wiser than that. If our
gatherings are perceived as mere Christian rituals that we practice to satisfy religion,
then we have missed the point. Yes, when we humble ourselves and repent God
will hear us from heaven, forgive our sins and heal our land (2Chronicles 7:14).
However, that does not mean God only responds to prayers sounded from a church
gathering. Jesus Christ taught that the hour has come for the worship of God to
shift from the mountains and temples for God seeks a people that will worship
Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). Therefore, the response of the church
and her congregants should encourage people to worship God wherever they are
found. Besides, the government’s suspension is only for a cholera season. We must
have faith that God will answer our prayers and heal our land soon.
Fourth,
the church must learn to be ahead of the world in matters of religion and
spirituality. Whenever something of such a nature happens the church must be
quick to respond without breaking the laws of the land, without being
irrelevant to the community, and still remain the pillar and ground of the truth
(1 Timothy 3:15) that people will look to and demonstrate hope in God. Closure of
buildings does not suggest closure of Christianity or the church. God does not
dwell in human structures but in hearts of men. Therefore, as churches we must
employ means and ways that will still help us remain spiritually sustainable.
For
example, communication technology of our day is a very useful tool that the
church in Zambia must take advantage of. Just a simple church’s WhatsApp group/s
will get information to a third of the church in a jiffy. Pastors can send
short audio messages and exhortations to their people.
Facebook,
websites and blogs are other wonderful methods to employ. They keep members, visitors
and distant followers of the ministry adequately informed about the life of the
church.
Moreover,
the Intern has become quiet affordable in Zambia, consequently, live streaming
on YouTube, Facebook, and other platforms can be used to ministered to the whole
church family from the comfort of the pastor’s office. By the time the suspended Sunday comes believers
would have continually been enriched with the Word of God.
And
lastly, your personal walk with God is fundamental in our national situation. The
disciplines of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7-8) that you daily retain must help and cause
you to remain firm in the Lord. Disciplines such as commitment to personal devotions,
a private prayer life, a personal Bible reading/study, the reading of Christian
print/digital material, one-one fellowship with other believers, regularly
surfing Christian webpages, and listen/watching Christian Music/Radio/TV.
In
principle, though painful, this is not what any God fearing leader would like
to see or experience in his country (especially in an acclaimed “Christian
nation”). Nonetheless, in good faith, it had to be done; social gatherings that
would be more susceptible to become “Cholera spreading proxies” deserve to be suspended.
Unfortunately, this includes weddings, kitchen parties, and church gatherings
of a certain nature. Therefore, all Christians must respond in good faith as well.
With
the understanding of the nature of the cholera epidemic, let us pray and participate
in the fight against Cholera country wide. It is for the good of all Zambians
and much more for the name of the Lord who desires cleanliness; as it is second
to godliness (Deuteronomy 23: 12- 14).
