Coronavirus statement by the Russian UECB leadership
2020-04-04

Coronavirus statement by the Russian UECB leadership

Peace to you, dear brothers and sisters, members of the brotherhood of the RS ECB!

On behalf of the leadership of the Russian UECB, we are contacting you during the pandemic crisis which has swept the whole world. The challenges of our time present us with complex questions and compel us to seek answers from the Lord in His Word, and continue carrying out the ministry which we are called to.

Matthew 16:18 says, "The Lord created the church and the gates of hell will not prevail over it." The main ministry of the church is the preaching of God’s Word, specifically the gospel, worship of God in the Holy Spirit, and fulfilling God's commandments in our lives (Eph. 1-3).

BEFORE EVERYTHING, in the early morning, daily - constantly, we will seek the Lord, abide in prayer and perform service in the name of Christ. But in the local context, we urge the ministers of the church and church members to decide on the form of worship.

Christ taught while speaking with the Samaritan woman that, “the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father... But the hour is coming and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4.21-24. We love, value our houses of worship, but we know that true worship takes place in the heart of man. You can worship the Lord both at home and at work, so we will read the Bible, pray personally and with the whole family. "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24: 15

Take care of your spiritual and physical health. Do not spread fear, gossip, but rather share the gospel! People need hope, and God can use your testimonies of how the Lord answered your prayers. "For God gave us the spirit, not fear, but strength and love and chastity." 2 Tim. 1:7

The greatest service is ministry to the unbeliever. “To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, to that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15.16

Important Clarification: Regarding the Lord’s Supper and Baptism: Each local church decides when and how to conduct worship services, as there were very complicated times in the history of the church, when brothers and sisters could not gather for a long time. But we are opposed to the practice of holding the Lord’s Supper (bread-breaking or Communion) online, as well as baptism online.

1) The sacrament (among other things) is the visible physical expression of the unity of the church. We can already express spiritual unity in our prayers, communication through media and video calls, etc. But we cannot share the bread with each other. These are the circumstances and we need to accept them. Communion in New Testament times completed a joint meal. Now this kind of meal is impossible, which means our fellowship is incomplete, so Communion should not happen (1 Cor. 11).

2) Historically, not a single Christian radio station who broadcasted to the persecuted countries during communism held a "virtual communion service," so that believers could participate if there is no pastor/elder. Why did it suddenly become possible with the advent of the Internet? Is it because the communications tool has gotten better? Maybe the reason is that we stopped being able to wait.

3) We believe deprivation is in the hands of God. If times of deprivation have come, we need to live with dignity. Be patient and we will once again be able to perform the breaking of bread together in our churches. If the church community cannot be together to participate during Holy Week, we will do so later with a renewed awareness of the great privilege of this sacrament.

Dear brothers and sisters! Take care of your loved ones and neighbors, especially the elderly if they need to go to the store or pharmacy. We urge the Christian youth to join local volunteer organizations to serve and be the light of Christ to others. Christians have always helped those in need. May the Lord give wisdom to each of us to serve faithfully, being filled with the Holy Spirit; not discouraged but glorifying our Savior. (Eph. 5.18-21).

God bless you, Christ’s ambassadors to our country,

Peter Mitskevich & UECB Leadership Directors

 
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