As we gather together
Congregations rely on each other in tough times
TEXARKANA, Texas - In times of trouble and uncertainty, many turn to faith and fellow followers.
Here in Texarkana, Texas, even in the dimmest times, churches managed to find a way to bring service and solace to their members over the turmoil over the past year.
During the initial days of COVID, they mostly went to video feed only, but opened back to their congregants as quickly as they could.
Now that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has officially dropped mask requirements, many churches were already ahead of him.
“When churches and the economy in general opened up, churches (in Texas) were considered essential businesses,” said LaNell Miller, a pastor at Church on the Rock. “They were allowed to make their own policies, as far as masks went. Church staff and volunteers initially wore them out of respect to Governor Abbott. Many members did as well, after they returned to the church building. At this point, mask wearing is completely voluntary for everyone, staff, volunteers and members.”
Church on the Rock has a prayer team to serve that need in every service. As soon as they could, they brought that element back as well.
“We are a praying church,” Miller said. “That is what we do. People need to interact and believers need each other. Touch often accompanies prayer and that brings calm. Laying on of hands brings healing and peace.”
Church on the Rock resumed “normal” services around Christmas last year.
At Free Life, Pastor James Boulton said that his church emphasizes a place where people can come like they are and be accepted, all the while God is changing them.
“This is the same, whether in our online or our in-house services,” he said.
But one thing he realized, along with many of his members, is that being there in that moment with the Lord, sharing it with fellow Christians, was missed.
“That old phrase ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ Boulton said. “You don’t know what you’ve got, ‘til it’s gone. We are called to gather together, where the Holy Spirit comes and fills us, bringing us to one accord. We pray for church unity, with eyes on Jesus.”
At Northside Church, Micah Sullivan, youth pastor, said that safety has been followed, with optional masks, distance between seats and an at-risk section for those who feel they are at risk.
“We went virtual for a few months, but came back Mother’s Day last year,” he said. “Our policy now is pretty much the same as when we opened back up. Virtual was good to maintain the link and still serves those absent from us, but it is not the same as being in the presence of the Lord with each other. You can see someone’s spirit when you look into their eyes. To meet each other, to have fellowship, there is no substitute.”
Jeff Schreve, head pastor of First Baptist Church Texarkana, said masks have been optional ever since his congregation returned last year.
“We make them available for those who need one and we have a separate seating section for those (with concerns),” he said.
First Baptist Church went virtual March 15 and returned to the church building on Mother’s Day 2020.
“We told high-risk members they could stay home until things got better, but otherwise, our congregation came back,” he said.
“No classes at first, just worship. Now, everything is pretty much back to normal,” he added.
Schreve says that the streaming technology is a blessing, though no substitute for being present with fellow believers.
Schreve says the First Baptist Church congregation is now about 60 percent present.
“Some of our older members, I can understand their wariness,” he said. “But for everyone else, it is time to come back to church.”
At Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a mask policy is posted on the door to the entrance. They have Mass and are gradually introducing other church activities, as vaccinations increase, weather permits and the virus continues to decline.
“We opened up all pews for seating two weekends ago,” said the Rev. Justin S. Braun. Our bishop never enforced a mask policy.”
In Catholic practice, the Sunday Mass is the giving of Holy Communion, which all Catholics are required in their tradition to partake.
“We had streaming services,” Braun said. “But you have to be present to receive communion. When partaking of a service via video, you simply cannot receive communion.”
Right now, on the West Coast and in the northeastern United States, Catholic services are still mostly virtual. The priests serving those regions are frustrated by government restrictions, according to Braun, who describes it as “government overreach, perceived and real.”
“The inability of the church to act freely is a problem,” he said. “A priest learns in six to eight years of education not only scripture, but the law and the writings of the Founding Fathers of the United States. When the state seeks to escape the essential restrictions of its powers set by our founding documents, that sets up a slippery slope. Freedom of speech, worship, you are leaving the foundation of freedom.”