CHOLERA SUSPENDS CHURCH GATHERINGS IN LUSAKA

“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 As a church, I rescinded, we have never been called to suspicion, resist the right governance of our leaders and oppose anything and everything that appears contrary to what we preach.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).