As fatigued and despondent as many in our community and nation are regarding the continual onslaught of unfortunate news regarding Covid-19 and the social unrest and protests triggered by the George Floyd incident and death, it is prudent for Christian pastors to respond to the concerns our members and community at large have surrounding these current events.
In every church, members are asking what this all means. For those whose interest is studying the apocalyptic nature of end times, this is a proverbial dress rehearsal for the future. Perhaps this is true. For others, the issue is more personal. It is manifested in isolation, sudden change, and a measure of anxiety in daily financial and health needs. Somewhere in the middle is where most, perhaps the largest number, reside. What is universal is uncertainty. This is not a good prescription for physical, mental, and spiritual health inside or outside the walls of the church.
Recently, the Kingman Evangelical Ministerial Association (KEMA) met to discuss our corporate response and mandate to offer hope amidst the confusion and calamity of the moment. Our goal was to offer a unified front of pastoral chaplaincy. In other words, to assure an otherwise dispirited community both in the pews and within the broader society that optimism is not lost, and that courage and sacrifice are the virtues of the day.
What emerged from our meeting was the desire to demonstrate unity in the fundamentals. We are not so different from one another. Certainly, every person’s background, upbringing, and religious and ethnic journey may be different, but some things are bedrock. To these, we as KEMA would like to address the following.
First, most people want peace and safety with our neighbors. In recent years, even the most racist and bigoted movies and stories lines have shown us that people are malleable when it comes to interpersonal relationships, prejudice, and justice. For instance, the movies, The Green Book, The Help, and Gran Torino, each have characters that hold deep-seated stereotypes only to be convinced that a person is more than their outward appearance and background. We applaud the momentum of equal treatment and justice as members of KEMA.
Second, most people want the rule of law to prevail even amidst the right to peacefully protest perceived injustices. The counsel of our clergy is to remain steadfast in adherence to the law while voicing personal and corporate opinion on any side of the debate. Communities are torn asunder by malevolent opportunists and the aftermath is suffering for the whole. Adults do not allow children to throw rocks or tantrums uncontrollably. How much more should the mature enforce necessary boundaries for those who hold displeasure with malicious desires and outcomes? KEMA supports those who serve faithfully on the front lines of law enforcement and those who rush-in to assist while others abandon the wounded and victimized.
Third, while the Covid-19 Virus is real, dangerous, and increasingly indiscriminate in its targets, it is also true that each person is responsible for their own protection. KEMA, again, applauds officials, who in good faith, seek to inform and encourage CDC guidelines that are generally reasonable. Each person must have the choice to worship within the context of their faith. Countless KEMA churches rightly adhered to the recommendations of those with knowledge of the risks and closed regular faith practices and services for weeks to show solidarity regarding health concerns. While some might rightfully argue that various closures were indiscriminate, KEMA believes that those in authority are there for the purpose of protection and service. As such, churches and leaders acquiesced. Today, KEMA pastors cautiously and with precautions meet to express our faith and our fellowship each week within prescribed new norms and are ready to adjust, as necessary.
Finally, for many people, if not most or all, there is a horizontal and vertical nature of being. Horizontally, we share in the same soup of humanity meaning we love, suffer, anger, show kindness, and behave, for better or for worse, in ways that are consistent with our human nature. Every pastor who is worth his salt will tell you that they are people, too. Your spiritual leaders are only different to the extent that that they seek betterment and recognize deficiencies in themselves perhaps more than the conformist. Pastors wrestle with every impulse that every other person does. The only difference is a compelling desire to be more altruistic albeit flawed.
Vertically, pastors, and people of all stripes, should consider the spiritual consequence of both activism and complacency. History is replete with errors on both sides. What matters is truth. While we at KEMA would not venture to argue from authority, it is of value to seek authority. What a person believes, they will manifest.
So, KEMA wishes, hopes, and believes that we can do better. We are not so different. If we can equally catch the Covid-19 Virus, we can catch charity, benevolence, and peace with one another. If we can raise the banner of division, we must certainly be able to be a healing balm. If we can see another as other, then we must change the prism of light and see one another as same. We can do this; we must do this. May the best in us prevail.
Pastor Kent Simmons
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church and president of the Kingman Evangelical Ministerial Association in Kingman.
