Pastors should be 'religious shepherds'

By ROY PULLUM

I saw where a pastor who defied a directive from the governor of Illinois not to conduct religious services died of the coronavirus. 

Gov. Beshear announced that seven of Kentucky's more than 5,000 places of worship defied his edict against gatherings of 10 or more. If we are lucky, no one in those defiant congregations will get coronavirus.

Based on what happened in Dawson Springs, it could be a disaster for a state that has already lost 104 citizens to the virus. In addition to the stubborn individuals who gathered, two individuals from New Jersey, where the pandemic is raging, drove 12 hours to attend services in Bullitt County.

Dawson Springs had a revival in a church five weeks ago.  Already six individuals in Hopkins County who either attended, or had contacts with people who did attend the revival, have died.  Nearly a hundred individuals are now suffering the effects of the coronavirus.  Church services on the internet are not as inclusive as a situation where fellowship is possible, but all of us have to make sacrifices.  That sacrifice was an Easter at home trying to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Pastors are religious shepherds.  They should be looking out for their flock, but some preachers have allowed the wolf (virus) to creep among their sheep. 

Instead of leading them to slaughter, they needed to encourage their congregation to stay home, watch the service on the internet and send their tithes by mail.  I know this is not either the optimum service, but it is the safest method to worship. 

God had asked us to watch as well as pray.  Those preachers who held services on Sunday have, through their hardheadedness, not only endangered their parishioners, but they have endangered all of us in the commonwealth.  They will have to answer for it to someone greater than our governor.  Meanwhile, we must suffer the consequence of their defiance.