03/12/20 Update
Church Family (and friends): I pray this update finds you well. This will be a longer update, but I do ask that you read it and repost it (if you feel inclined to do so) in it's entirety.
I wanted to take just a moment to share with you some of the steps that we are taking here at The Grove Church to tackle the challenges posed by COVID-19 (also known as the coronavirus).
First of all, let me underscore the seriousness of this issue: this is an incredibly dangerous virus for which there is currently no cure. Dr. Russell Moore, in an article posted earlier this morning, noted: yesterday the World Health Organization stated that the coronavirus “now qualifies as a pandemic.” And Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, warned this week that we must “assume it is going to get worse and worse and worse.”
And just an hour or so ago, our Governor — Brian Kemp, held a press conference in which he urged all Georgians to take this threat seriously. He issued a special warning to those over the age of 60, as COVID-19 has disproportionately affected those over that age.
All of this said, let me share two things that are on my heart: first, God has not given us a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). Unlike the rest of the world, Christians have every reason to remain hopeful even as we walk through the most uncertain of seasons. Coronavirus has certainly caught many of us off-guard, but our Sovereign King wasn't surprised in the least! He has, in His divine wisdom, allowed this to occur and we can trust that, based on the promise of Romans 8:28, even this will be used for our good and for His glory.
Second, Colossians 4:5 exhorts us to walk wisely, making the most of the time. While we reject the spirit of fear, wisdom means we do not respond flippantly to the advice and direction of the medical professionals and governmental officials who are diligently seeking to halt the spread of this deadly virus.
With these things in mind, we have determined the following:
1: Until further notice, we will not have any in-person gatherings as a faith family. This includes Sunday morning gatherings as well as any other weekly activities (Wednesday nights, FamilyGroups, etc). In effect, until we receive word from community health officials that it is safe for all of our congregation to resume meeting together, our church campus will be shut down completely.
2: As COVID-19 is particularly lethal for older individuals, our pastoral team desires to help those who may be hindered from going out around town. If you aren't aware, Governor Kemp — today — encouraged those over 60 to avoid highly-trafficked areas like grocery stores, drug stores and the like. Pastor Tre and I (and the rest of our TGC team) would be happy to help you obtain any essentials you might need during this time. Click here to connect with our team if you need assistance over the next few weeks.
Additionally, if you are under 60 and have elderly neighbors, let me encourage you to use this crisis as an opportunity to care for them well.
3: Though we will not be meeting in-person this weekend, we do have plans to stream a shortened service on Facebook this Sunday at 11AM. Let me encourage you to make sure you "like" The Grove Church on Facebook so that you can stay in the loop on any updates that we communicate to this end.
For the time being, we have chosen to postpone our All FG Night that was scheduled for this Sunday night. We will, of course, keep you posted as we continue to monitor the situation. If you are part of a D-Group and want to gather with your group, let me encourage you to consider using technology (like Google Hangout or Zoom) to do so over the next week or so.
4: Even though our weekly activities have been postponed indefinitely, we still have financial obligations as a church family. Please consider making it a priority to set-up your online giving profile here if you haven't already done so. Additionally, remember that you can text any amount to 84321. Both avenues are incredibly secure and easy to set up. Your continued generosity will help us meet our ongoing obligations (supporting missionaries/planters, paying staff, etc) and provide us with the resources we need to help those within our church who are economically impacted by COVID-19.
5: If you have questions about COVID-19, let me encourage you to seek answers from reputable sources such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) or WHO (World Health Organization). Of course, should you need medical attention, please contact the proper medical professionals for assistance.
Church, let me conclude with this...over the next few days and weeks, it's likely that things may get worse before they get better. Even as I type this update, school systems are shutting down and most major gatherings are being cancelled. As you have increased opportunities to be at home, with your family, let me encourage you to do a few things:
1: Pray. Even without a cure, God is still in control. Let's go boldly before Him and ask Him to pour out His grace upon our nation and upon the nations of the earth that MANY might be drawn to Him as a result.
2: Talk with your kids. For those of you who, like me, have little ones at home, take time to talk with them about any fears they have. It could be that the tenderness that typically comes with a crisis like this creates an open door for you to point them to Jesus.
3: Serve your neighbors. By now, you've seen all the reports — hand sanitizer, toilet paper, Clorox bleach — it's sold out everywhere. If you've stocked up, take time to check in on neighbors that may not have had the opportunity to do so.
Like you, I do not know what the future holds...but friends, I do know who holds the future!
I love each of you deeply and look forward to seeing how God will use this most unorthodox season to make each of us more like His Son, Jesus!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know.
You are loved!
Pastor D
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NOTE: this statement has also been shared, in it’s entirety on our church website (thegrove.tv/update) and on our Facebook page. Because we will not be meeting in person for the foreseeable future, please help us spread the word via social media when you receive any official updates from me or our TGC account. Thanks for helping us navigate these turbulent times well!