Church is different during lockdown

With the nationwide lockdown, churches were forced to look at alternative ways to have church.

Most churches have opted to hosting online church services where all the members who wish to tune on to the same website at the same time.

Past Werner Joubert of Shofar Church Secunda, said for him it is important during this time to still focus on the core elements of faith.

“However, the form in which it takes place, looks different during this time,” said Past Joubert.

“These elements include hearing the Word of God, to praise God in song and prayer and to do it with other believers.

At Shofar Church Secunda, the worship team sends two songs and one of the pastors records a sermon afterwhich a video is loaded onto YouTube.

“The element of church which is very difficult at the moment, is to be together.

“For our congregation, specifically home groups, were always key to our congregation’s spiritual lives.

“Thus we use our home groups as units of care during this time.

“Currently this is our solution for being together, although it happens telephonically.”

Past Joubert said the fact that the congregation cannot get together, is definitely one of the biggest challenges that the church in South Africa had to face in the last 20 years.

“This is specifically because it affects all the congregations in the same manner.

“I think something very meaningful is happening in this time.

“The lockdown is an opportunity for each person to think about his or her faith.

“All public applause and acknowledgement are taken away during this time.

“The reality is that what now happens behind my house’s closed doors, will be an indication if I really have a relationship with Jesus, or if I just go to church because it is like a tradition for me.”

The impact the 21 day lockdown period has on the church, is that the churches are empty.

“But maybe now the flames in our personal houses will be ignited again.

“Those hearts who are burning afresh for Jesus, will walk into the church after the lockdown and give our church new life.

“The only reason why the church building is currently empty, is because church is at our houses.

“You are the church.”

Past Joubert said his heart goes out to everyone affected by the coronavirus whether it is you fearing for your health or because you are financially under pressure.

“My feeling is that the virus is an opportunity for every person to go to the parts in your heart that were build on shaky places and move it to the eternal rock.

“It is also a time for everyone to reflect in which city they are living in, the city called earth or the eternal city with steadfast foundations.

“With all this said, I believe in healing and miracles.

“I believe all the miracles in the time of the Bible and also after the Bible’s time can only make an impact if people’s eyes were focussed on eternity.”

Past Joubert’s words of encouragement to the Secunda community are that if we could see into heaven we would have been able to see God sitting on His throne and reign.

“God knows what is going on here and He is not caught off guard.

“Thus to be in front of His throne and to worship Him is the safest place to be.”