Dear Members and Friends of CLBC:

I’m sure that each of you are following the developing coronavirus situation. At the time of writing this email, there have been nine confirmed cases in Minnesota, with one case in Dakota County. Without a doubt, those numbers will continue to climb.

Please know that we are monitoring the situation and will respond accordingly. If you are feeling sick, please stay home. Though we desire that all gather with us, it is an act of love to others in the church and our community at large to self-quarantine if you suspect illness. If any are impacted directly by the coronavirus, please let us know so that we can exercise our covenant responsibility to pray for one another.

We must, however, meet this time of uncertainty with the wisdom of the Word:

First, we are reminded that we are not ultimately in control of our plans. So, when our plans are frustrated by forces outside of our control, we rest in the sovereign working of God (Proverbs 16:9). Changes to our plans are indeed frustrating, but the changes should not undo us. Instead, we navigate each day, seeking to live in obedience to Christ, whatever his will for us that day might be (James 4:13–17).

Second, we are reminded that governing authorities are instituted by God to restrain certain kinds of evil (Romans 13:1–7). Unfortunately, most national concerns become politicized very quickly, and medical concerns are not immune to that politicization. Yet, the governing authorities are working to restrain the particular evil of the coronavirus. As such, we should do our best to accommodate government directives.

We will seek to follow local and state government directives as they are given. Unlike other states (e.g. Kentucky), Minnesota officials have not yet requested that churches refrain from meeting. We are developing plans in the event that we are directed not to hold services as part of a larger localized self-quarantine effort.

Third, we are reminded that we live in a broken world—a world with pain, disease, and death. This brokenness brings us considerable pain as we experience such evils. And while we rightly mourn over this brokenness, we mourn as those who have hope not only in this life, but also in the next (1 Corinthians 15). How fitting it is that we are just one month away from Resurrection Sunday! We do not seek to ignore or minimize the reality of suffering now, but we walk through it with the expectant hope of resurrection life in Christ.

We trust that the Lord will protect and strengthen each of you in the days ahead as you give yourself over to him and as we appeal to him to stifle the spread of the coronavirus and to equip our nation’s medical personnel as they bear an extra weight of responsibility in this time.

Blessings,

Aaron Downs

Note: For ongoing updates on the coronavirus in Minnesota, see the Star Trib page: http://www.startribune.com/coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know-covid-19-minnesota/565538621/