How are Churches Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic? Reflections

Image credit: Irina Iriser

“This situation calls us on our solidarity and accountability, mindfulness, care, and wisdom …(as well as) for our signs of faith, hope, and love.”

(Olva Fykse Tvelt, General Secretary, World Council Of Churches, 13 March 2020).

To know how churches are responding to this pandemic, we sent out the following questions to a few Christian friends in April: How is your church responding to the COVID-19 pandemic? Is your church taking up any relief measures?

Meihom- Church is closed till today. However, the church and village club jointly bought essentials and distributed them to the villagers.

Tre- They did nothing except for two sermons, one on Good Friday and the other on Easter Sunday. Other churches are doing their best. It is quite obvious. I don’t want to get involved in this.

Sidi- No help from the church. Our people are so funny, they put up a signboard at the entry gate and prohibit the entry of visitors. They put up fences on every colony's entry and exit points. We are so scared of death!

Rangia– My church is lockdown too. Moreover, my church is new and is still under construction so we lack funds to carry out relief work but a few of us collected about thirty thousand and we are going to the village to carry out relief work.

Khosow- In Senapati, no church services are conducted. On Sundays, the pastor gives his sermon through the village public announcement system. Temporary gates are being constructed to stop visitors and outsiders. But no relief work from the church.

Joanna-My church is following the directives of the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC). No mass gathering. Only church staff meet and pray together. The church members are asked to pray and fast in their own houses. Yes, there are relief works for the needy.

Anonymous-There are lots of online sermons or services. That is all I know.

There are too many organizations providing relief and I don’t want the church to do that right now. Once churches and other organizations get involved in relief measures, the government will be laidback. It also depends on the kind of church we are in. Most fellows here (Delhi) barely survive and if they want to help they will have to ask for contributions again. And even if the churches with huge funds can aid. I think the worst stage is yet to arrive and for now, they should reserve their financial resources and manpower. But these are opinions from a safe campus so it’s not absolute.

Relief works at home are also controversial at times. We don’t know who is receiving how much and the distribution of relief materials by different organizations can be concentrated in one area and leaving out the other. That is why I think we should let the government do the relief measures and people should keep them in check.

Zini- I got a message that they are teaming up with our Student Union to provide financial assistance to those in need.  However, I do not know what they are really doing.

Aren- The church is obediently locked down. Nothing so far.

Isaac- Nothing. I think they (the church) should comfort people. They  (Church) need to boost up and energize those who are in trauma-mentally and spiritually.

Awar- Just closed-door worship for now. No intimation from the church regarding any relief measures.

Yita- Yes, the church is transferring money to all its members stranded outside the state of Nagaland.

And the notice issued by the Church Pastor reads, “It is hereby informed to you all that, Phor Christian Revival Church and its staff would like to extend help to our members who are staying outside Nagaland and stranded due to the outbreak of Coronavirus.”

Ayangti- It’s lockdown for church too. But yes, distribution essentials are on as I saw pictures on social media. I am not an active member so I don’t know the details.

Guang-Yes, churches are doing a lot of work and people are not aware of it since they (the Church) usually don’t blow their trumpet. And those who are not willing to get involved in the ministry often criticize. Those people who received the touch of His hand will know but those who are sitting in the comfort of their room and passing comments will not know the truth. For instance, DBI is working with migrant laborers and daily wagers.

Paulina- Yes, prayers cell leaders have been entrusted to see if any church members require essential supplies so that we can reach out to them.

Phungshok- My village church is giving Rs.3000 each to every villager stranded in different cities across India. And another Rs.3000 each from the village administration. The church is also giving ration supplies to whoever is in need in the village.

Khamei- We conduct Sunday service at home during the scheduled church hour. The regular staff attend church offices twice a week. And they are providing relief to some of the church members.

Anonymous-There is no such initiative from the Church. Instead, individuals contribute and distribute to the members in need of ration and financial assistance.

Jenjen- We have an online service every day. We have different branches in Delhi and on Sunday, there is a combined service where they (church leaders) share about their members. They are reaching out to those families in need of help. But by the grace of God, most of the church members are doing fine. And we are also providing food for some daily wage earners.

Akhum- The tribal churches are very active right now. I am helping out with the identification of the needy and providing logistics. Don’t know the details though.

Anonymous- I am sure they are doing. Some churches were out feeding the traffic police and police on duty. I am sure local churches must be feeding their members and people in their localities.