BE AWARE- ALERT
Responding to the COVID-19 has been a division between Media Panic and apathy. While the former creates fear in the hearts of people, the later creates a basis for trouble in the days ahead which may be too late to contain the virus and cause more problems in the future.
Alabama now has six coronavirus cases.
“One of the cases is in Jefferson County. Another case, a civilian employee at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, was announced earlier today.
The Jefferson County case involves someone who traveled internationally and returned home where they were tested by their private physician. Cases have also been reported in Limestone, Elmore and Tuscaloosa counties. The ADPH lists another case as “out-of-town,” but has not provided information on that person.”
As a leader in the church, we need to be prepared, use common sense and be proactive. This is not a time to be fearful, acting in a way which does not reflect the biblical beliefs we hold true. How many times did God say to Joshua that he was not to fear? Did Jesus not tell His disciples not to fear, because He would take care of them? It is vital that at this time and this season of uncertain issues related to health, to display our firm, unfailing belief system causing others to ask of the hope that is within us.
At Rockford Church…
Yesterday I posted a blog which addresses the issues we are facing and the decisions we are making in regard to Rockford Baptist Church. Our church services are as planned with Sunday services tomorrow morning. We will look at the Sunday Evening and Wednesday Evening services tomorrow morning and decide if we need to cancel those for the next three weeks. We have decided not to have the Lord’s Supper on Sunday, March 22 and our 5th Sunday covered dish lunch on March 29th. Otherwise we are planning day to day related to other activities we have planned in the next two or three weeks.
https://rockfordbaptistchurch.org/general/an-open-letter-to-rbc/
These decisions are in an effort to keep the possible spread of the virus from reaching any form of heightened activity in our area. We are going with “Do The Five,” as reported by Google through a PSA this morning:
1 HANDS Wash them often
2 ELBOW Cough into it
3 FACE Don’t touch it
4 FEET Stay more than 3ft apart
5 FEEL sick? Stay home
https://www.google.com/search?q=coronavirus+tips&fbx=dothefive
Should we need to cancel services, we will have LIVE STREAMING on Facebook as we do each Sunday. We will also provide the Sunday School/Bible Study lesson on Facebook as well. As a service to leadership in our area, we will provide our equipment for you to come to our facility and record a sermon or sermons for your church family, should you need to cancel services at your location.
Rockford | Coosa Samford MTI Extension…
At Rockford Baptist Church, we work with New Home Missionary Baptist Church in sponsoring Samford Ministry Training Institute. Pastor Christopher Todd is scheduled to teach “Paul’s Letters” and I serve as director of the extension. We have received emails from Dr. Blackwell keeping us informed of the issues on the campus at Samford. He has, at this time assured us we can be ready to begin the B Term of the Spring Semester on March 23rd.
“The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. As of today, there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases on the Samford campus…Nevertheless, Samford is taking measures to protect the health of its campus community. Our VP for Business Affairs, Buck Brock released in email last night which stated that Samford will move all classes to online instruction until April 6. Students will not be allowed to be on campus until further notice. Samford administration will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and will revisit the plans in the coming days and weeks.”
At this time, we are planning to begin classes with online registration open and preparation being made to assemble on Monday night the 23rd. If changes take place or new information results to make changes for those who have enrolled and to all who support and pray for us I will post alerts through this blog and on social media.
We will prepare to do all we can to keep those who will be attending class healthy. Therefore, we will do the following as recommended by Dr. Blackwell and the Samford Administration:
We will minimize person to person contact in our classrooms through spreading out seating, avoiding handshakes and touching.
I will provide hand sanitizer and hand wipes in the classrooms for students and instructors. We will avoid passing around learning materials which would mean hand to hand contact.
We will not provide snacks until further notice.
If any of your students feel sick we encourage them to stay home. If a student has been infected or has been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19 I am required to inform Dr. Blackwell as soon as possible.
https://rockfordbaptistchurch.org/event/samford-mti-rockford/2020-03-23/
Again, I encourage church leaders to take precautions, be prepared, and pray for this time. Richard Blackerby posted something this morning on Facebook which is a good reminded for us:
“Don’t criticize people’s response to the C. Virus. If they stock up, cancel trips, cancel services, don’t shake hands, don’t attend a meeting, stay home from work. Of, if they DON’T do any of these things. People have their own fears, issues, needs, pressures. Extend grace!”
Now is the time for leaders to be leaders. As spiritual leaders we are to feed the sheep and protect the sheep. Pray and seek God’s guidance; follow His lead. Allow Him to reveal the truth He is in control and will be glorified in all things. He does make all things work together for His good.
In His Steps, Pastor Fuller