COVID-19 has changed the way many practice religion

Latrece Steward
MC 301 Contributor

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has caused many religious organizations around the world to rethink how it holds worship services, which typically involve people gathering in a building and coming into physical contact with one another.

The state of Mississippi issued a stay-at-home order in March 2020, basically halting all gatherings, including religious. Many religious organizations were faced with the task of figuring out how to continue church services.

According to Christina Kay, a meteorologist at WAPT news in Jackson, Miss., several churches across the metro are canceling or moving weekend services online amid growing concerns about the coronavirus in Mississippi.

Many pastors agree that social-distancing, the practice recommended by health officials of staying at least 6 feet apart, should be used to help keep parishioners safe.

Governor Tate Reeves asked all Mississippi churches to cancel services and any other large gatherings.

“It is indeed very different and difficult, but thank God for various means as Facebook, YouTube, Zoom, and other (platforms) that have given us the opportunity to minister live services to the congregation,” said Bishop Arnold Stanton, Sr., of New Life Cathedral of Worship with locations in Hazlehurst, Miss. and Byram Miss. “At present, we are ‘live’ on Facebook each Sunday at 10 a.m.

Bishop Stanton believes that not being able to attend church affects everyone differently. Many church members are very close to one another and miss the love and fellowship.

“Our church family is a close-knit church that has enjoyed genuine fellowship and awesome worship each week,” said Bishop Stanton.

Pastor CJ Rhodes believes ministries are still able to be successful using online platforms.

“The virtual service reaches more people, yet there is a longing for the real thing from most of our members,” said Rhodes, pastor of Mt. Helm Baptist Church in Jackson, Miss.

Students at Jackson State University weighed in on the new normal of online religion.

“It does feel different not being able to have the normal church that we are use to having, like gathering in a building with other followers and believers. But God is still God. He is the same God. He is not just a building, he is bigger than that,” said Quintarius Willis, a senior criminal justice major from Hattiesburg, Miss.

Many students hope churches will open soon and things get back to normal.

“I miss my church family. It feels like it’s been forever since I have seen them,” said Johnquorrious Young, a freshman business entrepreneurship major from Jackson, Miss.

Bishop Stanton believes that normalcy is on the horizon.

“I believe that once COVID-19 is over, we will return to normal and we will return to normalcy. We will return to what we are used to doing, including hugging and embracing. We will not allow “Social distancing” to become the new norm for us, because we are a close family of believers,” said Bishop Stanton.

Bishop Stanton is hopeful that all members will return when Governor Reeves says churches can reopen.

“It is our plan to adhere to the advice and suggestions of our governing authorities on when we can reconvene, however once we are given the green light, I believe that our come back scripture is going to be Psalm 122:1 which says, ‘I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord,’” said Stanton. “We are not those who will tolerate fear. We believe that tolerating fear contaminates our faith. We are people of faith and we believe 2 Timothy 1:7 which tells us, ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind,’” said Bishop Stanton.