There are historical facts that affect the lives of many, remain in the memory of an entire generation, helping to rethly many issues, the Covid-19 pandemic is just one of them, the impact of the virus on the global community is enormous. It affects every aspect of modern human life, from economics to religion and is difficult to deny, especially since most of us today are in domestic quarantine or visibly limited in terms of mobility. It seems that almost none of us have ever faced such a challenge.
How do Russian society, government and church respond to this situation?
- More recently.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that this week would be a week off for most Russians.
- And within a few days.
- Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobianin.
- Who also chairs the State Council Working Group in the fight.
- Against the Coronavirus.
- Announced that this week should it be used in quarantine?You can only leave home for exceptional needs.
- And also promised to implement.
- For the weekend.
- A system of control of the movements of the inhabitants of Moscow.
- With conditions of self-storage.
- Something similar is happening in other parts of the country.
Clearly, the authorities are now trying to prevent the emergence of a real epidemic in the country, the epicenter of which could be in the largest cities, particularly Moscow.
On the other hand, they face the need to strengthen the greater digitization of the economy and society, in order to provide all the necessary services and tools to the population, which will generate new challenges and moral problems that we have never seen before, but it is something for another article.
In general, the Russian authorities are able to prevent panic and hysteria in society, although it must be admitted that most Russians are not fully aware of the real danger and threat of Coronavirus-19, for many, it is just a distant thing and represents nothing AND as there are not many patients (at least according to official statistics , who still show an increasing number of patients every day), there are many fearless and carefree citizens, which has strengthened the issue of state control and civil liability. Many people, knowing that the quarantine period and restrictions can last indefinitely, have simply left the city, leaving the city for their homes or loved ones in the countryside. People seem to be more afraid of quarantine and the economic consequences of a pandemic. than the virus itself.
In general, Russian politicians, government officials and the press try to motivate people to stay home. Did actors, entrepreneurs and public figures come together around a slogan?But if media resources and platforms try to offer free content from the authorities, which is highly anticipated, there is a growing legislative enactment of laws and decrees, which not only restrict the movement and meetings of citizens, but also attribute administrative responsibilities, including criminal responsibilities. quarantine violations and related restrictions, suggesting that the situation with the virus may worsen with serious consequences, or simply current circumstances are being used for other purposes and therefore the measures taken are stricter.
It is also seen that the state is preparing to face the economic difficulties that are already occurring, and that will occur in the future, due to the pandemic. Much of this concerns the payment of corporate taxes and loans to the population. However, there are expected to be new taxes on some income by next year. At the same time, the government hopes to deal with the turmoil that is coming, as there is a good margin of financial security, created in the form of the National Social Welfare Fund, in previous successful years. At the moment, special payments are made to categories of socially disadvantaged citizens and food kits are distributed throughout the city, for retirees, sick families and large families. By the way, today I have a kit like this for my kids at their school. Interestingly, many celebrities are hinting that they have already fallen ill with this virus in the winter, and some even point to interventions. pointing to “who controls the planet. ” This opens up new possibilities for evangelizing and talking about religious issues in the public space.
The Church’s reaction can be reduced to three words: bewilderment, lack of preparation, reconsideration.
Above all, the Church did not know how to respond to this pandemic, the Russian Orthodox Church has refused, in any case, to limit work to its temples, you could often hear several priests say that there was no virus or that it was not affecting us, because we had true faith.
Evangelical believers, on the other hand, were more obedient to secular authorities by limiting meetings and talks to prevent the spread of the virus, motivated by love for others and submission to God, who sends obedience to the authorities, except when they are in sin.
But they were also concerned and ashamed that the temporary restrictions and interruptions of church worship meetings could lead to a complete closure of meetings in the future. The authorities may prevent them from opening or limiting these opportunities, for any reason, by taking advantage of current circumstances or otherwise. And this is very relevant, because thousands of churches in Russia gather in houses or in rented premises.
Second, it was clear that the Church as a whole was not prepared for this situation, particularly in the following areas.
Internet transmission
Many churches simply didn’t have online programs, websites, or social media pages that worked well. Many evangelical ministers in churches of sound doctrine have simply underestimated the importance of presence in the media. And it should be noted that many older believers simply don’t know how to do it. they use modern technology. And because of their quarantine, they can’t even be visited so we can set up their phones or computers. Russian society is predominantly present in the Internet space, but there is no strong evangelical presence. Today, there are attempts, to change that through certain resources, like the?Ekklesia? and “Christian Christianity”. But this is just the beginning.
Communion
Churches that develop a model of ministry “Attractions” because the life of the church, or those who simply concentrated in the temple or built their ministry around Sunday worship, faced the escape of their members because there was simply no biblical congregationalism, koinonia or close fraternity.
In addition, many believers simply distanced thee from everything that was happening, and even from the lives of other believers, entering a closed domestic quarantine until communication, showing that the local church was not a key goal or factor in their lives, not even as a minister of your spiritual life.
Ministers
In our Russian religious culture, historically, people have to go to the temple, people have to go to a priest or a monk, those expectations have been expressed even in the evangelical community, where apparently the pastor must look for his people, which is in his care. From now on, none of them will be able to meet. And many shepherds have been lost. It is also beginning to affect the financial well-being and stability of churches and their ministers. Concerns about the future of church congregations and parishes are beginning to arise among ministers and we will soon have to support and encourage. ministers themselves before they can support other believers.
What has been discovered, in fact, is that the Church is far from the society around it, as do current statistics. In Russia, where more than 70% of people consider themselves Christians, only 2 to 3% are practitioners. The influence of religion is negligible in Russian society, which is clearly visible during the pandemic.
And yet this situation forces the churches to approach people, to share their sufferings, their sufferings, their fears and their experiences, circumstances that force the churches to connect, where almost all the population of the country is today, where they can communicate, discuss. , pray, evangelize, speak and reason together.
Does the current situation force the Church to rething its role and place in modern society?It can be much closer to people than before. It also leads us to seek new forms of discipleship and evangelization. This requires new features and creative ways to interact with members and others. Show us to appreciate all the opportunities and not neglect them. Many congregations have become much closer to each other through regular, almost daily interaction, thanks to the available media. I have at least one Zoom conference almost every day. What can we observe? Spiritually sound evangelical churches will become more active after the pandemic, simply showing better viability in difficult conditions than any other religious institution.
The Lord, in his divine providence, allowed us to go through the pandemic to bring good and bless others through us for their glory. I am sure it will prepare us to be “an instrument of honor, sanctified and useful to its possessor, being prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2. 21).
The current crisis creates many opportunities for the Kingdom’s expansion into Russia, opportunities that previously simply did not exist or seemed ineffective. Nothing can overcome anxiety and worry except the gospel of Christ. Nothing can fill the void of a fading heart and satisfy the soul as the cross of Christ. Nothing can overcome fear and despair more than Christ’s resurrection and loving attention. Nothing can overcome the state of loneliness and defeat better than the presence of Christ who lives by the Holy Spirit in us. our world than the Church of Christ, who is moved by her love.