During the lent of 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic hit the UK and a national lockdown was announced. This turned churches into overnight studios for broadcasting their live services and Zoom meetings and turning pastors into TV Host and producers.
According to Cressman (2001:46), the pandemic has impacted how societies function and relate to each other, and this is the reason why I am conducting this research on 3 Pentecostal churches in Slough, United Kingdom to discover how the pandemic affected the church, the community and its doctrinal theology. It is important for this research to be conducted as it highlights not just the theological aspect of an individual or community but opens up to discovering how individuals react to be isolated behaviour and how the church overcomes different situations it is facing through its community.
The gathering of believers according to Adebola (2020:224) is first read in the Acts of the Apostle (2:1-5) where they gathered in the temple to pray and before that to discuss the replacement of Judas Iscariot.
Scholars agree that the above event being described as the first Christian gathering. I agree with Adebola the community from the beginning has been centred around the church and not just from a theological factor but also a social factor. This exciting research will explore the activities taken by Pentecostal churches in Slough during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the differences they had to adjust to as an organisation to achieve the set goals by adhering to new religious rules.
This research will also show how the church and the community were affected from a theological manner, I will research the change in the delivery of service and methodology, the discouragement to not taking the vaccine and its effects on the church and its members. This research will look at the virtual church and the importance it has played in the existence of individual churches. Through interviews with members, we will investigate how members adapted to prayer meetings, bible study groups which were previously done collectively.
It appears, that researchers on this Topic...is either lazy or had a predetermined position to prove.
" Acts 2
New King James Version
Coming of the Holy Spirit
1 When (A)the Day of Pentecost had fully come, (B)they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and (C)it filled the whole House where they were sitting."
Filled The House... Not The Temple Or Temple Court.
44 Now all who believed were together, and (AO)had all things in common, 45 and [o]sold their possessions and goods, and (AP)divided[p] them among all, as anyone had need.
During COVID-19... Did The Members Of Church Sale Everything in excess and ministered to the Followers of Christ that were sick with Covid?
46 (AQ)So continuing daily with one accord (AR)in the temple, and (AS)breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart...
House Fellowship... was part of the Church's meeting places. Temple Court Fellowship... was part of the Church's meeting place.
Yes, Social Distancing prevented gatherings... religious, families, civic, social and cultural meetings.
I for one, believe that Covid-19 is just a power of GOD. And, we need to respect this power.
Secondly, GOD through Covid has exposed the hypocrisy of "Separation of Church and State" BS.
I know here in America, Churches have asked the "State" for their "Dollars" to help stay open.
My hope...is through Covid, GOD will shutdown all of the BS make-believe Churches and elevate the true Body of Christ Followers.
Rev. J
As a student and Follower of Christ, this scripture represents the first "Church Gathering"... It is with the Living Resurrected LORD Christ... Breaking Bread in one place with the Way... with instructions to "Feed" ...etc.
Breakfast by the Shore
9 When they came to land, they saw a charcoal fire laid there, with fish and bread on it.
10 Jesus spoke to them.
‘Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,’ he said.
11 So Simon Peter went and pulled the net onto the shore. It was full of large fish, a hundred and fifty-three in all. The net wasn’t torn, even though there were so many.
12 ‘Come and have breakfast,’ said Jesus to them.
None of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the master.
13 Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so also with the fish. 14 This was now the third time that Jesus had appeared to the disciples after he had been raised from the dead.
Jesus and Peter
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus spoke to Simon Peter.
‘Simon, son of John,’ he said, ‘do you love me more than these?’
‘Yes, Master,’ he said. ‘You know I’m your friend.’
‘Well, then,’ he said, ‘feed my lambs.’
16 ‘Simon, son of John,’ said Jesus again, for a second time, ‘do you love me?’
‘Yes, Master,’ he said. ‘You know I’m your friend.’
‘Well, then,’ he said, ‘look after my sheep.’
17 ‘Simon, son of John,’ said Jesus a third time, ‘are you my friend?’
Peter was upset that on this third time Jesus asked, ‘Are you my friend?’
‘Master,’ he said, ‘you know everything! You know I’m your friend!’
‘Well, then,’ said Jesus, ‘feed my sheep
Not sure who you are referring to being lazy but let the Love Of Christ be shown in all manner please.
the scriptures you have referred to above what are you trying to say in regards to the question of the effects of COVID-19 on the Pentecostal church.
The love of Christ is shown in my thread. Christ is not passive or non combative. Throughout the scriptures... Christ challenges those speaking/teaching halved truths, deception and hypocrisy. Christ is a warrior and a healer.
Lion and Sheep.
I am mostly referring to your sources that are named...
Peace Love and Soul Train 🚂
Rev. J
Thank you for your feedback my research will be on the effects of COVID-19on the Pentecostal church how do you feel this pandemic has effected the church in how we do things.
Well, it seems that it separated:
1. Patient People from Aggressive People.."you shall know them by their fruits." Some in leadership put congregations at risk by showing defiance to safety laws and procedures. Leviticus gives answers to handling Pandemics.
2. It seems that money is a driving force behind some church leaders. Example: separation of church and state took a backseat for some church leaders. PPP loans (government backed loans) were sought out from church leaders .. but churches wanted to claim exclusionary rights from health procedures and limiting the numbers of congregates to slow the spread of the virus.
3. The pandemic showed us that the church was not ready to help the homeless and the sick in a crisis. We were anemic!!!
I hope that the body of Christ repents and become a place of refuge for vulnerable people during a crisis.
Peace Love and Soul Train 🚂
Rev. J