On Friday at noon I had the opportunity to sit in on an on-line round table discussion about pastoring in the pandemic.  There were pastors from six different churches around the country and from various sizes of churches.  Some of them had large staffs with large congregations, others with smaller staffs, and one with no staff.  As they began to talk it became obvious to me that they all had one thing in common; the responsibility of caring for the flock without being able to gather the sheep.  Our times together are hopefully profitable to the sheep, but they are also extremely profitable for the pastor too.  Pastors have the God given responsibility to care for the people that God has entrusted to their care, and if that responsibility is taken with the seriousness that is intended, the inability to be able to meet together can be very challenging to a pastor.  I am grateful for flock that God has given to me, but I am also extremely thankful for the covenant that we as a church have made to care for one another.  The church must continue to be the church.  How can the church do that when they cannot do the very thing that makes them the local church in the first place, and that is to assemble? 

I want to draw your attention to our church covenant that you have committed to if you are a member of NWBC.  It gives us a clear directive as to how we as a congregation are to operate in times like this.  We have covenanted together to do several things for the good of each other and the glory of God.  There is no better time for us to live this out in its fullness than now, so take a new look at what you have committed to do.

Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, we do now in the presence of God and this church most solemnly and joyfully enter into the Covenant with one another as one body in Christ.  We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit:

These Biblical obligations reflect my commitment as a member of NWBC. Should I fall into a pattern of neglect regarding this covenant, I expect to, and will receive corrective discipline from my fellow members for the sake of restoration and the name of Jesus. (Matthew 18:15-18)

Membership does not involve an expectation to live perfectly. Rather, it is a commitment to worship and minister together in a body of believers where members covenant together to hold each other accountable and to encourage one another to pursue obedience to what Scripture teaches.

You have just read our church covenant.  Do you remember that?  I think that it is good for us to once again consider what exactly it is that we have committed to do.

First of all, the Covenant defines and outlines my commitment to others.  Even though we cannot meet together because of the pandemic, it does not mean that we are no longer obligated to each other.  We are still called to be the hands or feet to the body.  How do we do that?  You have covenanted to pray for one another.  That means everyone.  Do you pray for each other?  Not just your friends and family, but everyone with whom you have made a covenant.  Take the prayer list that is sent to you twice a week and pray over the people on it.  Take the directory and scroll through and and pray for each other.  Look around the auditorium at where everyone sits (if you can remember) and pray for the faces that you see.  Especially at this time, during this pandemic we need to pray for one another.  There are some who are alone and see no one.  Maybe you cannot see them, but you can drop them a note or make a phone call.  Some people need to be encouraged.  Some people are on the verge of depression.  You covenanted to come alongside of them and help them carry their individual burdens. 

Secondly, the Covenant assures me of others’ commitment to me.  I do not only need to be reminded of my commitment to others but I also need to be reminded of their commitment to me.  You are not the Lone Ranger.  God did not intend you to operate and live life that way.  God designed everyone of us in His likeness and image and God desired to have communion with man.  You are not alone.  Sure, you might be isolated, but you are not alone.  There are so many ways to be able to communicate with others today.  Are you interested?  Do not deprive someone else the opportunity of being able to fulfill their covenant to you and the privilege to use their spiritual gift.  If you are struggling in this pandemic, our church covenant gives you the freedom to call on other members to come to your side and encourage you with the Word of God.  Don’t ever forget that you bound yourself to others and they bound themselves to you.

Thirdly, if we live out our commitment as outlined in the Covenant, God will be glorified.  Is that not what we are to be about?  Remember that people are watching and what they see ought to point them to Jesus.  The Bible tells us that the world will know that we are the disciples of Jesus by the way that we love one another.  What better place to put that on display than in the local church.  I know that our ladies are meeting on Thursday nights for fellowship and a brief study to encourage one another.  What a perfect opportunity for them to invite a friend or neighbor to join the Zoom meeting and observe.  What a perfect time to reach out to that neighbor that you have never really talked to.  Keep your 6’ distance, but at least say “hi”.  Ask them how they are dealing with all that is happening.  You never know how God might use what you do for their good and His glory.  Give it a try.

Take your covenant seriously!