Church Reopening After Covid-19

The unfortunate interference of COVID-19 into public life has effectively shifted all public conversations around COVID-19. It has affected the way people gather to worship in mega Churches like the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN. Hence it is time to start thinking about what will happen when we reopen the church, as announced by state governors, even when COVID-19 is still circulating. We're not heading back to the way things used to be rather it is going to be a new chapter after what we've learned from the pandemic. Nevertheless, we're so comfortable with the leadership in SCOAN, Lagos Nigeria, where the Bishop, Prophet TB Joshua has said he is waiting for a divine order in reopening, when to reopen, how to reopen, how to meet government-set COVID-19 protocol and how to minister to people’s need.

The Church of Christ will continue to render unto Ceaser the things of Ceaser's and to God the things that belong to God. Observing the regulations set out by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) will be built into the reopening arrangement, with its extra demand on Church administration. There are no two authorities in this realm but from the beginning, it is the NCDC that seems not to accept that the Church has any authority. It seemingly believes it may close down worship places without formal notice or dialogue simply because it has a large portion of the social media. Today many citizens of different societies believe in God, and by extension believe their religious leaders, more than their governments.  There is a good story in (Matthew 17:24-27) when the people of Capernaum came up to Jesus asking for his tax. They came to Peter, and said, “Doth not your master pay tribute?” Peter answered, “Yes”. Peter went to Jesus and Jesus said to Peter, “... go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee”. This is what God will do in SCOAN. Even the tap water at the entrance of SCOAN premises will clean people of their entire ailment by the special grace of God. We only have to deflate people’s heightened expectations, making them work more on their faith and holiness to see Jesus the Healer.

As Prophet TB Joshua prepares his team for a harvest of souls, this fearful pandemic era, we believe that God shall guide him on what is more essential and what is less essential in canonical worship. If there was any way to advise the government or its agencies like NCDC, it is that government must work for and with her people rather than simply arresting and condemning perceived COVID-19 offenders. The government must work with their institutions and the Church of Christ, not in a political setting but as God’s resource centres for the respective nation. The Church, especially SCOAN, is doing great for the public, praying for them and rehabilitating them as needed. Emmanuel.

Prof. R. A. Ipinyomi, University of Ilorin, Nigeria