Almost overnight, COVID-19 shut down most of the United States while social distancing and quarantine procedures were enacted to stop the spread of the disease. With little notice, churches closed their doors and shifted to online worship and Bible classes. Now, some states are lifting restrictions and churches are discussing reopening their ministries.
Children’s ministers are in a difficult position. As described in this article, 10 Steps for Reopening Children’s Ministry, social distancing with children will not be easy. In fact, it may be impossible.
When do we reopen our children’s ministry programs?
Perhaps the best question to ask ourselves as ministry leaders is not “How do we reopen?” but “When do we reopen?” our churches and children’s ministries?
Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. David Hurley, a recently retired pediatrician and elder in the church. From his perspective as a father, elder, and doctor, he wondered why churches would rush to reopen now? And he made some great points that church leaders might consider as they are making their decisions.
First, why not follow the lead of schools and summer programs?
In many states, schools are closed until August, and summer programs are not meeting. And, when schools reopen, there will likely be new social distancing guidelines to follow. Already, many cities require masks. Imagine children’s classes with masked kids looking back at you. It is not a pleasant thought. Dr. Hurley said, “if we have to wear masks, if children have to wear masks, perhaps it is not time to go back, yet.”
Without a vaccine or herd immunity, the virus is here to stay. Schools and summer programs have accepted the reality of a financial loss in order to do their part in stopping the spread of the virus. If they aren’t choosing to host socially distanced children’s activities, why should the church?
Children and social distancing: how will it work?
Children will not grasp the concept of social distancing. Can you imagine a preschool classroom in which the children stay in their seats? An elementary classroom without some occasional roughhousing? A youth group that doesn’t run and hug each other the moment that they walk into the door? I can’t. In fact, I have a hard time envisioning myself in the church auditorium not shaking the hands or hugging the necks of fellow worshippers. We are social creatures; if you put us in a room with other people, we are going to do social things.
Are well-child policies and social-distancing policies enough?
Every church should already have a well-child policy in place. Be diligent in following these policies. No one with COVID-19 symptoms may attend class or church. And, don’t write off pesky allergy coughs, either. Now is not the time to take chances.
Disinfecting measures need to be followed closely. But, it is also important to know that some procedures are “medical theatrics.” Medical theatrics let us have a sense of control over our situation but may or may not help. However, if such strict disinfecting measures are needed for people to feel safe, perhaps, Dr. Hurley suggested, it is better to stay home.
Consider This: Additional Child Protection Policy Information
However, in addition to the information found in the previous article, Dr. Hurley mentioned two things that churches need to consider. One-way hallways would help keep the traffic flow minimum further preventing the possibility of spreading the virus. But, the bigger issue to consider, and one that deserves its own article sooner than later, is the mental health of children. We want children to love church! We want them to love God because of the love of the people in their churches. He says, “Bible class time should be fun, engaging and it should feel safe. It should not be full of ‘don’t touch, sit down, don’t move.”
When we put the children’s emotional and spiritual needs at the front of our decision making, our questions change and it may lead us to different conclusions. More on this soon.
A weekly ritual just for Livestreaming
Each week, a few members and ministers gather at the church Dr. Hurley serves as an elder. Before they gather, he arrives, walks the building, opens all the doors, and turn on the lights. It’s not just hospitality that prompts him to do this. It is caution. In order to protect each other, we need to take precautions such as these to limit the transfer of germs.
Not only that, but participants also sit in the same locations each week, spread out through the auditorium. Communion is served individually to avoid passing the tray.
Imagine helping kids navigate these kinds of precautions yet if churches choose to meet again, it is important to take these precautions. And, it is consistent with the guidelines released by the state of Texas. If we choose to meet in-person, intergenerational worship is our best option, where parents are responsible for their children and safe distancing within the auditorium is maintained.
So, now what? When do we go back?
I am thankful for my friend and Eleven28 Board Member, Trey Finley. In an instant message, Trey posed an important question to me, “What if we slow down?” We if we use this time to help our families learn the rhythm of Sabbath. Families are too busy, lives are full of activities and school and careers, and Sundays tend to be busy, definitely not the Sabbath rest that we need.
God created us in such a way that we need quiet and stillness, it refills our souls. One of my favorite passages in Scripture is found in Mark 1:35 – 39
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Jesus, in the early moments of his ministry, after a busy evening of driving out demons with a whole town watching, gets up the next morning, goes out to a solitary place and prays.
Could it be that through this pandemic and period of social distancing that we have the opportunity to meet God in the solitary place, an opportunity to pray, to wait? Likely, this is an uncomfortable thought to many people. However, it is in times of discomfort that we open our lives to the Spirit and our faith is nurtured.
Dr. David Hurley’s Bio
Dr. David Hurley retired after 36 years on the clinical faculty at Primary Children’s Hospital/University of Utah School of Medicine and private pediatric practice at Wasatch Pediatrics. He and his wife, Jerri, are part of Murray Park Church of Christ, where she directs the children’s education program. We spent one-year practicing medicine in rural Guatemala with Health Talents International when our oldest son was three.
Resources
For resources on the spiritual care of ministers and ministry leaders during this crisis visit the eleven:28 COVID-19 resource page.
For resources that help church leaders determine a path forward in our changing world visit the Hope Ministry Network resource page.
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