Note: The original Q&A, posted March 20, was updated April 30

Q: When will we be able to hold in-person gatherings again at our facility?

A: One way to engage this question is to ask it another way: In the past, the focus was on what we CAN’T do; now the focus is what CAN we do and when? Much will be dependent on what the situation is out there: the availability and effectiveness of testing, contact tracing, therapeutics, etc. No one wants to get together more than I do, but safety during these days is paramount. Return strategies (including for congregational gatherings) abound. There is quite a bit of confusion right now with varied voices and opinions. For now, we will stick with the VA Governor’s “Orders,” more of which are forthcoming soon. Some questions that we will need to tackle together: After opening, what if we find out that at least one of the participants who gather with us was infected? What are the protocols? How do we and what do we prepare for gathering again, if the conditions merit?

Q: How are our church workers and leaders doing?

A: We are doing ok so far, blessed by the Lord. Overall, church workers and staffs, including our own, are working harder than ever, probably more hours than pre-covid, in order to connect with the people and communities. Each of our staff members has contingency plans in place and continue to refine them, in case one or more of them are infected with the virus and become ill for a long stretch. Many helpers are ready or getting ready to step up and “fill in.” Many lay leaders are also working harder and longer in their professions. How do we care for our workers and leaders during these times? This is a question that requires much thought and prayer to answer well.

Q: Who is especially hurting during these days?

A: Families of essential workers. We pray especially for the children of our “essential” workers around us. As many of these children are left unsupervised at home, and the parents come back from working in “high-risk” places to these children, they are quarantined in their homes from their children and spouses. This is an untenable situation that cannot be maintained for too long.

Q: How do we gather to make major decisions of the church?

A: Congregational Meetings (Voters’ Assembly) – We should get some guidance from the Southeastern District shortly about what constitutes a Voters’ Assembly and how to make major decisions as a congregation, without the benefit of meeting in person. For now, the Board of Servant Leaders will make decisions on behalf of the Assembly, and then the Assembly can do post-ratification when it is able to gather in person. The Board will steer away from decisions that need major process or discussion of the Assembly.

Q: What are the plans of our preschool?

A: As you can imagine, many of our schools, preschools, and child development centers are in deep discussions about the short-term and long-term plans for their programs. For many congregations, these schools and centers are a vital part of their ministry, but may not be in operation for a long stretch. What will not being in operation for so long mean? Much discussion will ensue. Our preschool has never faced a situation like this. We will need many prayers for it, and for its students, parents, families, and staff.

Q: What do these times mean for our church’s finances, as it continues to conduct ministry in times that really need the ministry?

A: Our finances continue to be in good shape. Our givers continue to be motivated and generous, especially during these challenging days. By no means are we going into a steep decline in giving. In fact, our April giving is higher than our March giving and we are continuing to meet our commitments, responsibilities, and expenses. Thanks be to God. In some ways, our community service (for those who are even more vulnerable these days) is taking extra steps to meet the need around us, and our virtual service preparation and production do take additional time, effort, and expense.

Note: On the worship materials for May 3, you will find a separate video file of “Q & A with the Pastor” as I’ll tackle about 8 to 10 questions that have been asked of me during the past weeks. We’ll look to also post that on our website, separately.

Blessed days as you enjoy the tremendous gifts of our loving God: faith, hope, and love as you serve and work. Please remember that God works in good times and bad. And notice all the handiwork of God during these “bad” days! -- Pastor Johann

(End April 30, 2020, update)

Q: How do will we conduct the ministry of the “Sacrament” during these times?

A: Since we are not able to gather in place and in person for a while, we will continue to conduct the ministry of the “Word” using the phone, internet, videoconferences, virtual videos, many postings on the website, etc.

During this interruption of in-person worship, and as we anticipate Holy Week services, we are especially aware of having to forgo Holy Communion. After discussing our church denomination’s recent recommendations (Commission on Theology & Church Relations) with many theologians, receiving suggestions from our church body’s district (regional) president, and in consultation with a number of pastors, we will hold off on communion during the virtual services or over videoconference, for now.

For more information, please see the recommendations of the commission, here. Pastor Johann will continue to pray about the Sacrament of the Altar and confer with theologians and pastors over the weeks ahead.

GSLC will consider how and when to conduct baptisms, but for now, they are on hold.

Q: What happens if we are directed to “shelter-in-place” for a while?

A: We shall consider and discuss a contingency plan for this possibility as well, but without the capacity to conduct video or audio recording, we would probably need to do videoconferencing.

Q: Is Good Shepherd currently gathering or worshipping?

A: As of March 14, we suspended all of our worship services, Sunday School, Bible studies, confirmation instruction, meetings, and other gatherings. Please see a pastoral letter from Pastor Johann HERE. The preschool, which follows Fairfax County Public Schools for school closures, is closed through April 10 (until further notice). We are posting recorded sermons and other worship, instructional, and meeting materials on our website and also plan to post devotional (virtual) worship services for each Sunday to come during the suspension. Groups, ministries, and meetings will meet by videoconferencing and teleconferencing.

Q: How will I know what is happening at Good Shepherd  of if there are any changes?

A: Much information will be shared electronically and digitally in the upcoming weeks. Check this website for updates at gslcva.org/covid-19. We will also continue to send updates and important information by email. If you are not already receiving emails from Good Shepherd, we urge you to give the church office permission to add your email address to our list. Email and tell us we may include you in our general mailings.

Q: Are GSLC facilities open on weekdays?

A: For now, yes. Since our community services continue, using their discretion and observing precautions, ministry leaders and volunteers will access the facilities, only if needed. In the meantime, for more information on individual ministries and/or meetings, which will meet online or by teleconference, please contact your ministry leader or facilitator. Staff members will be on-site for “essential” purposes, but will be off-site as much as they can be for safety reasons. For more information regarding office and facilities use, please see these guidelines.

Q: Should I come to GSLC if I am feeling sick?

A: Obviously not. If you are feeling sick or running a fever, stay home. If your fever is above 100.4, contact your physician’s office.

If you are not feeling well, let someone on the church staff know. Please understand that we want to care for you in every way we can as your church family without unnecessarily exposing others to potential sickness. Particularly if you are elderly or more physically at risk in light of COVID-19, we urge you to minimize social interactions during these days while still staying connected to your church family through other means.

If you test positive for the virus, please let Pastor Johann or another member of the staff know so that we can pray for you, support you, and be in touch with the health officials who can advise you and those with whom you have been in physical contact. We will follow the CDC protocols.

Q: What precautions should I take if I need to come to GSLC’s campus?

A: We encourage everyone to take certain steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses, including these:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid physical contact with people who are sick.
• Stay 6 feet from other people while on campus.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Sneeze or cough into the bend of your arm or into a tissue (then discard the tissue).
• Disinfect objects and surfaces regularly.

Q: What precautions is GSLC taking to make the campus as safe as possible?

A: We are taking these steps:

• We are wiping down all common area touchpoints (e.g., doors, light switches, countertops, etc.) with a disinfectant.
• We have placed hand sanitizers in common areas throughout the building.
• We are performing added in-depth cleaning of our facilities on a regular basis.
• Although our custodians and staff regularly disinfect, we are planning to recruit volunteers to help with wiping down and disinfecting. Let us know if you are willing and able. These deep cleans may involve closing parts of the facility on certain days.

Q: What about special upcoming gatherings, events, and programs?

A: As the weeks go by, church leaders will continue to huddle (online) and determine the appropriate courses of action, such as when to lift our “suspension” and whether or not certain programs or events need to be postponed. We will stay abreast of what the civic, governmental, and health officials share with us. Based upon that information, we will make determinations concerning any needs to adjust, postpone, or cancel.

Q: How should I respond spiritually to the coronavirus (COVID-19)?

A: COVID-19 is yet one more reminder that we live in a fallen world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. Ultimately, none of us is immune to any of these things.

The Gospel is such great news because God has not left us alone in this world of sickness, sin, suffering, and death. He has come to us in the person of Jesus, lived a life with no sin, died on a cross to pay the price for our sin, and rose from the grave in victory over sin and death. Now anyone anywhere who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of all their sin and restored to relationship with God forever. That means that through Jesus, we never have to fear sickness or death because we know we have eternal life with God.

Any time is a good time to share the Gospel. But if you do know that you have eternal life with God, we urge you to share your faith in Jesus with others. Times like these remind us all of the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. So we spread the greatest news in these times of bad news that death has been defeated and eternal life is available to all who trust in Jesus.

In addition to trusting in Jesus and sharing about Jesus with others, here are some other ways you can respond to COVID-19:

• Pray for mercy for the sick; strength for first responders, doctors, and health officials; insight for researchers; and wisdom for officials.
• Look for opportunities to love and care for others, whether they are sick, isolated, marginalized, poor, or oppressed.
• Avoid every semblance of prejudice or racism. In light of the origination of this virus in China, and the epicenter of the outbreak now said to be in parts of Europe, it has been grievous to see a rise in racist incidents against people of Chinese, Italian, and other backgrounds who trace their ethnicity or origin from specific places where the virus is prevalent.
• Even if we are unable to gather in person, stay closely connected to the church family. Gather with smaller groups as appropriate over the phone or by text, email, online chats, social networking, or any other means that are safe.
• Continue to faithfully give financial offerings online HERE or by mail so that the ministry of the Good Shepherd thrives all the more in the midst of difficult days.
• Reflect often on the brevity of life, the urgency of eternity, the beauty of the gospel, and the sheer and abounding love of God.