The Covid Cloud and a Church Check-Up




The Covid-19 cloud continues to hover over us as the days of isolation continue. In some areas, however, there are rays of potential sunshine as restrictiosn slowly lift, and worshipping together again is returning, but likely in a restricted fashion. 


Still the effects of this virus remain. To measure the impact on the churches, Christian Renewal asked a number of URCNA ministers to share information about their situation. We received a tremendous response, more than we could include. 

Perhaps the most effected churches so far are those in the New York City area. Rev. Drew Eenigenburg sent the following status report from his home in West Sayville, New York: 

“Several of our members suffered from Covid-19 infection, and many who continued to work were affected greatly by the risk of infection in their workplace. One of our doctors was assigned to a Covid-19 floor, and was infected while serving. By God’s grace, he is now recovered and working again. Other members also recovered from Covid-19. Thankfully, they could all stay in constant communication with the body for prayer and any needs we could supply. Several mem- bers are grieving the loss of both family and friends due to Covid-19. So, those were the most immediate threat.”

For most of us, the impact has been in a number of ways, from work, to education, to worshipping from home. And that, inevitably, has resulted in its own form of discussion: Is home worship real wor- ship? Rev. Doug Barnes tackles that timely question from a reader.

What the virus is teaching us is that we are not ultimately in control of our lives, as much as we might like to think we are. Nor, despite our scientific knowledge and the predominance we’ve given that discipline, can we control our days. And that’s a good thing to know, because it providentially turns us to the One who does. And that is ultimately a humbling, but absolutely vital, reality.

In this issue Marian Van Til shares her musings on the virus and this present moment in time from her vantage point in Indiana. Gerry Wisz looks back 350 years ago to another plague in London, England that killed 100,000, and was recorded in a book by Daniel Defore of Robinson Crusoe fame. He notes similarities in our situation today, but also highlights one glaring, significant difference.

Norm Bomer writes about a siege of another kind, 75 years ago, that involved the world in another kind of war, not germ warfare, but a world war that led to the deaths of millions, and specifically with reference to the siege of Leningrad, over one million people purposely starved and bombed to death.

It doesn’t take much to realize that evil is real in this life east of Eden. 

The pages of history are replete with a blood stained record. The whole creation is groaning, not only so, but we ourselves groan inwardly, as we wait the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved (Rom. 8).

 John Van Dyk, Editor
Christian Renewal Magazine

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