President Trump made headlines over the weekend when he urged governors to designate places of worship as essential. I must admit, that when the notion of essential and non-essential business came out I was a bit taken back by the idea that a liquor store was essential but public, corporate worship was not. In all seriousness, what is more essential, Jack Daniels or Jesus Christ? I guess there might be some that argue the point, but I will pick Jesus every time. Essential in the here and now, and essential in the age that is to come.

Heck yes, church is essential. But let’s face the facts, President Trump, nor a state governor can designate us as an essential business. That is up to us – the Church.

Before we criticize the government for putting the church into the non-essential business category, ask yourself first, did you do the same as a Christian? Did you treat the church as non-essential in your life? Did you skip services? Did you come 10 minutes late or perhaps 30 minutes late? Did you put church after your dream job, your big client meeting, your family road trip? Did you treat the worship service nothing more than a music concert or entertainment? Did you listen to sermons no different than self-help psychology?

Have We Treated The Church as Non-essential?

Here is the truth. We as Christians have long treated church as non-essential, that’s why it was an easy determination for the world to make.

I am pleased the president recognized the church as an essential business. But his proclamation really doesn’t change anything, if that is not the way we treat the church.

Essential Beyond the Doors on Sunday

So much of the rhetoric of the essential/nonessential debate has been focused on what happens on Sunday morning. But Sunday morning is not the true measure of a church. Sure, it is one aspect of church. An essential aspect to be sure. But the true determination of whether the church is essential or nonessential is based on the work a church does beyond Sunday morning corporate worship. We are essential because of what we do, the ministries of love and compassion offered, not our one hour service of worship. It will be great to get back to Sunday worship together. But gathering in the same place at the same hour on a Sunday is not all that make us a church.

One other thought. Let’s not forget that while public, corporate worship may be put on hold for a time, we can still worship. Remember our series where we talked about both public and private worship? We can still pray, read the Bible, journal, fast, and make use of all manner of spiritual disciplines to continue our walk with Christ.

Further, much to my delight and surprise, I am finding that I still look forward to that time on Sunday morning when we “gather” together. Worship has never been put on hold, just the manner we are accustomed to has changed.

Is church an essential business? Only if you make it so.

Peace,

Pastor Hoyt