Is Church Worth the Risk?
The title of this article may be a bit misleading, as the answer to this question, regardless of the outcome, is a resounding "Yes!" However, with the constant bombardment of the media telling us it is indeed "not" worth the risk, Christians need to look behind the hysteria and look for truth.
Johns Hopkins & the University of Maryland put together a research team to analyze a significant amount of data to see if they could produce a tool to help Americans understand the risks for mortality from COVID-19. The result of this massive research project is a simple calculator that can help assess each individual's risk of mortality.
To further understand if what we see in the media is true, Pastor Tony and Brett put this calculator to the test. The results are staggering...
If let's say, you are in your mid to late 30s and in relatively decent health, you will likely find that your mortality rate is 5.9 in 1,000,000.1 That means you have a 0.00059% chance of dying from COVID-19 IF you contract it.
What about a middle-aged man with asthma? Well, that lands your mortality rate at 4.1 in 100,000.2 A bit lower than the one above, but still only a 0.0041% chance of dying from COVID-19 IF you contract it.
To bring this into reality, that's approximately the same likelihood that you would die from being struck by lightning (1 in 180,000) or die from being attacked by a dog (1 in 118,000) in your entire lifetime.3
In the midst of the Bubonic plague, an epidemic that killed a remarkable 30% - 90%4 of those who were infected, Martin Luther said it best – "If it be God’s will that evil come upon us and destroy us, none of our precautions will help us. Everybody must take this to heart: first of all, if he feels bound to remain where death rages in order to serve his neighbor, let him commend himself to God and say, “Lord, I am in thy hands; thou hast kept me here; thy will be done. I am thy lowly creature. Thou canst kill me or preserve me in this pestilence in the same way as if I were in fire, water, drought, or any other danger.” If a man is free [from responsibility], however, and can escape, let him commend himself and say, “Lord God, I am weak and fearful. Therefore I am running away from evil and am doing what I can to protect myself against it. I am nevertheless in thy hands in this danger as in any other which might overtake me. Thy will be done.”5
It is at the height of cultural fear that Christian's can shine the brightest. Our lack of fear, zealousness for our God, and true love for others gives us clarity of mind to be of use to our master. When we flee or cower in fear, we become weak vessels, unuseful to God, His church, and a dying world.
The data is in. The results are clear. COVID-19 shall not and will not keep the church from fulfilling its mission (and I would argue that neither should the Bubonic plague should it return). As a believer, and as a member of our church (or another), I implore you that if you have forsaken the assembly (Heb. 10:25) with the brethren to do so no more.
Still don't believe me? See for yourself, using top medical research, not my own opinion.
1) COVID-19 Risk Tools, Mortality Risk Calculator, https://covid19risktools.com:8443/riskcalculator
2) COVID-19 Risk Tools, Mortality Risk Calculator, https://covid19risktools.com:8443/riskcalculator
3) Injury Facts, Odds of Dying, https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/all-injuries/preventable-death-overview/odds-of-dying/
4) Wikipedia, Bubonic plague, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bubonic_plague
5) Martin Luther, Luther's Works, ed. Jaroslav Pelikan and Helmut T. Lehman (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1955–72), 43:125.
